Division  3xe;i  4-8 

Section  .n7L4 


WAY  1  9  iS 

A   COMPLETE    HISTORY 

OF 

MISSISSIPPI  BAPTISTS, 

FROM   THE   EARLIEST  TIMES. 

Z.  T.  LEAVELL  and  T.  J.  BAILEY, 


WITH    AN    INTRODIL  TIOX    HV 

Prof.  Franklin  L.  Riley. 

OF    THK    INIVICKSITV    (I  I'    M ISSISSI  I'lT. 


VOLUME    II 


Mississijj[)i  linptist  PithlishinaCi). 
JACKSON,    XilSS. 

1904- 


Copyi-ight  1904 

IIV    ■/..  T.   I.EAYELL   AND   T.  J.  BAILEY. 


All  Ri"hts  Reserved. 


Miss.  Baptist  Publishing  Co., 

Jackson,  Miss. 


PKEFACE. 


On  OcIoIkt  17,  11)00,  I  received  a  letter  troiu  L.  S,  Foster,  in 
which  he  said,  "I  find  myself  unable,  from  other  duties,  to  work  out 
the  history  of  Mississippi  Baptists,  and  make  you  this  proposi- 
tion," etc.  I  accepted  his  ])roposition  and  went  to  work.  The  lal)or 
of  gathering  the  facts  and  writing  the  book  has  been  long  and  labor- 
ious. No  pains  have  been  spared  in  accumulating  facts.  The  re- 
search has  been  toilsome  and  exhausting.  Effort  has  been  put  forth 
unceasing,  for  more  than  a  3'ear,  to  get  the  facts  of  the  history'- of 
some  of  the  associations.  Facts  that  have  been  known  to  exist,  and 
difficult  of  access,  have  been  pursued  until  an  eager  grasp  has  been 
laid  upon  them. 

The  effort  to  give  our  people  this  work  hcis  been  the  more  toil- 
some Ijccause  of  the  fact  that  no  historv  has  been  written  of  Missis- 
sippi Baptists.  There  was  no  connected  written  document  of  the  h-is 
torical  facts,  no  way  blazed  through  the  virgin  forest  of  our,  deeds. 
The  history  of  four  Associations,  of  the  State  Convention  to  1880 
and  of  Mississippi  College  to  the  same  date,  had  been  written,  but 
that  was  but  a  very  small  part  of  the  work. 

Where  well  written  history  has  been  found  it  has  been  placed  in 
the  work  to  the  credit  of  the  one  who  wrote  it.  Some  of  our 
schools  have  been  written  up  113-  good  writers  closely  related  to  their 
educational  work.  Thej-  are  given  credit  for  the  work  they  have 
done.     The  remainder  of  the  book  was  written  by  my  pen. 

According  to  agreement  between  the  publisher  and  myself  the 
title  is  to  be,  'A  Complete  History  of  Mississippi  Baptists,  In'  Z.  T. 
Leavell  and  T.  J.  Baile^'."     The  latter  is  to  publish  the  work.   Great 


prefacp: 

aid  has  Ik'cii  urantcd,  in  the  writing,  by  brethren  in  different  parts  ot 
the  State.  Onesiions  have  been  c()urteousl3'  answered,  and  material 
gathered  and  forwarded,  for  which  unfeigned  thanks  are  hereby  ex- 
tenderl.  K'^jn-cially  is  it  desired  that  an  expression  of  gratitiidc  be 
extended  Id  ilie  "rriniitive"  Baptists,  who  have  Ijeen  exceeding 
kind  in  answering  (|uesti()ns,  and  forwarding  material. 

P>v  (.)riginal  cDntraet  Kev.  L.  S.  Foster  was  to  pidjlish  this 
work,  lini  Ids  resignation  as  Su])erintendent  of  the  Mississippi 
liai)tisi  ()rph;in;ige  necessitated  i\  change  i>l'  the  original  design  as 
to  its  publicaii()n.  The  relation  between  him  and  the  writer  of 
the  work  has  been  most  cordial  and  ]ileasanl  in  all  their  labors  on 
the  book.  The  e.\))ressed  willingness  ot  Rev.  T.  J.  Hailev,  Editor 
oiTlif  flnptist,  to  assume  the  res])onsibiIity  of  pid)lisliing  the  history 
has  been  gratefully  reeei\ed.  Xo  hapjjier  arrangement  could  have 
been  made  in  the  emergency,  ;is  he  and  the  writer  are  on  the  closest 
terms  of  intimacy,  and  because  of  his  extended  kno\vledge  of  printing 
and  book-making. 

The  book,  of  course,  lacks  much  of  being  perfect.  Absolute  accur- 
acy could  not  be  claimed  for  it,  but  it  is  the  best  work  one  could  do 
with  care  of  churches  on  him,  and  little  history  accessible  as  a  guide. 
But  the  hope  is  devoutly  entertained  that  the  book  willdo  good,  and 
be  recei\'ed  bv  <nn'  ])eo])le  with  ;ip])reciatiou  and  favor. 

Z.  T.  LEAVHLL. 


Ta-lole  of  O03n.te3n.t3— "17"ol-  H. 

PART   I. 


SECTION    U. — ASSOCIATIONS. 
Chapter  Page 

XYII Ebenezcr  Association 725 

XVIII Yazoo  Assfjciation 750 

XIX Stroriij;  River  Associ^ition 796 

XX Harniotu'  Association 822 

XXI Bethlehem  Association S-t2 

XXII Biloxi  Association S47 

Providence  Associjition 849 

XXIII Jiidson  Association 851 

XXIV Kosciusko  Association 870 

XXV Tishomingo  Assf)ciation 89.'? 

XXVI Tippah  Association 910 

XXVII Salem  Association 931 

XXVIII Oxford  Association 934. 

XXIX Bogue  Chitto  Association 952 

XXX The  Delta  Work 9G9 

XXXI Fair  Kiver  Association 1002 

XXXII II(.])olnc!iitto  Association 1019 

XXXIII Springfield  Association 1028 

XXXIV Mount  Olive  Association lOKJ 

X  X  X\' Calhoun  Association 1044. 

XX  X\'I Chickasaha^^  Association 1059 

XXX\II (tuU" Coast  Association 1080 

XXX  \I1I Magees  Creek  Association 1102 

Red  Creek  Association 1 1()<) 

XXXIX Oktil)l)eha  Association 1114 

XL Tombigljee  Association 11 10 


XLI Pearl  Leaf  Association 1123 

XLII Carey  Association 1132 

XLI  1 1 West  Jiulsoii  Association 1140 

XLI\' Coi)iah  Association 1148 

XL\' Sipscy  Association 1159 

XLVI Bethel  Association 1166 

XL VII New  Liberty  Association 1169 

XLVI  1 1 Chester  Association 1173 

XLIX Rankin  County  Association 1183 

L Pearl  X'alley  Association 1190 

LI Scott  Ccninty  Association 1197 

LII Tallahala  Association 1203 

LI  1 1 Lebanon  Associaticni 1204 

LIV Trinity  Association 1217 

LV South  Mississippi  Association 1220 

LVI Lawrence  County  Association 1224 

LVIl Non-co-opcrative  Associations 1226 

The  Primitive  Association 1229 

Little  Zion  Association 1230 

Bethany  Association 1231 

Good  Hope  Association 1233 

Amite  Association 1234 

Little  Black  Association 1235 

Loosacoona  Association 1236 

Hopewell  Association 1236 

Zi(m"s  Rest  Association 1237 

Tombigbce  Associcition 1238 

Liberty  Association 1238 

New  Hope  Association 1238 

Tallahatchie  Association 1239 


PART   II. 

BAPTIST   SCHOOLS   AND   COLLHf.KS. 

Pioneer  Work  in  Education 1243 

Aniitc  Female  Seminary 1248 

Cold  Water  remaie  Seminary 1  24-9 

Jackson  Female  Institute 12.")! 

Lexington  Female  College 12.")! 

Mississii)pi  Baptist  Female  College 1203 

Central  Female  Institute 1254 

University  ot  DeSoto 12G4 

The  Central  High  vSchool 1265 

Carrollton  Female  College 1 2(56 

Mary  Washington  Female  College 1268 

Utiea  P'emale  Institute 1270 

Yalobusha  Fem.aie  Institute 1 271 

Okolona   Female  College 1273 

Macon  Female  Seminary 1 274 

East  Mississipi)i  Female  College 1275 

Meridian  Female  Institute 1275 

Starkville  Female  Institute 1277 

Blue  Mountain   College    1278 

Lea  Female  College 1 2S0 

Dr.  Stone's  Colleges 12S4 

East  Mississippi  College 12S5 

Baptist  Female  College 12S7 

Dr.  Zealy's  Schools 12SS 

Warren  Female  Institute 12S8 

Mississippi  College 1290 


PART  III. 
GENERAL   BODIES. 


The  First  Baptist  vState  Convention 1321 

The  Unity  Convention 1324- 

(leneral  Association  of  North  Mississippi 1326 

General    Association    of   Southern    Mississippi    and    Eastern 

Louisiana 1331 

General  Association  of  Regular  Baptists  of  the  State  of  Mis- 
sissippi  1339 


BENEVOLENCES  OF  THE  STATE  CONVENTION. 

Ministerial  Education 1366 

Our  Journalism    1392 

The  Orphan's  Home    1405 

Woman's  Work I^IS 

Mississippi  Baptist  Historical  Society 1422 

The  Mississipi)i  Baptist  Orphanage 1427 

Siistentation     1438 

Baptist  Young  People's  Union 1443 

Negro  Baptists  in  Mississippi    1449 

Mississippi  Baptist  State  Convention 1459 

Articles  ofFaith    1512 

Gospel  Order 1513 

Constitution 1514 

Constitution  of  Mississippi  Baptist  State  Convention 1518 

Early  Beginnings  of  Baptists  in  Mississippi 1520 

Biography  of  Z.  T.    LeaveM 1531 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  725 


CHAPTER    X\II. 

KnKNKZFi;R    ASSOCIATION.]  ' 

The  history  of  this  institution  is  so  closely  interlaced 
\vith  the  defunct  Leaf  River  .\ssociiiti()n  that  it  beconaes 
necessary  to  perpiscuity  to  briefly  consider  the  ori- 
gin and  transient  existence  of  that  body,  before  taking 
up  the  subject  in  hand.  Only  a  cursory  notice  of  the 
Leaf  River  is  necessary.  In  fact  it  is  not  possible  to 
give  it  extended  notice,  since  the  connecting  history  has 
been  lost  in  the  passing  years. 

By  reference  to  the  minutes  of  the  Pearl  River  Asso- 
ciation, it  is  found  that,  in  182S,  two  of  the  churches 
of  that  fraternity  suggested  in  their  letters  to  the  Asso- 
ciation the  propriet^'of  dividing  the  organization.  The 
suggestion  was  deemed  \vorthy  of  consideration,  and 
a  convention  to  consider  the  matter  was  proposed 
which  was  to  meet  with  the  "Tallahala''  Creek  Associ- 
ation in  Perry  county, on  Friday  before  the  fifth  Sunday 
in  the  following  November.  The  next  year,  N.  Robert- 
son, Sr. ,  reported  for  the  convention  the  expressed  wish 
for  a  division  of  the  fraternity.  In  response  to  a  call 
for  letters  ot  dismission  to  join  the  new  body,  the  clerk 
was  directed  to  give  such  letters  to  the  following 
churches:  Bethel,  in  Covington  county;  Providence,  in 
.Marion;  Tallahala.  Sweetwater  and  Red  Creek,  in 
l^erry;  Antioch  in  Jones;  Greenleaf  and  Chickasahay,in 
(jreen;  Cedar  Creek,  in  Jackson:  Zion  and  Salem,  in 
Wavne. 


726  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

It  is  clearly  seen  that  the  churches  forming" 
the  Leaf  River  Association  were  scattered  over  a  vast 
territory,  with  only  an  annual  communication  with 
each  other.  The  mails  were  infrequent  and  irregular 
and  the  people  poorly  informed.  But  the  affairs  of  the 
infant  institution  were  harmonious  in  the  beginning. 
Norvell  Robertson,  Sr.  of  Leaf  River  church,  Giles  Sum- 
rail  and  John  Aloft'et,  of  Tallahala,  and  Joseph  Morris 
of  Cedar  Creek  church,  usually  attended  the  annual 
meetings  of  the  Leaf  River  Association. 

The  Leaf  River  Association  made  little  history. 
The  growth  of  the  institution  was  not  as  X.  Robertson 
and  others  had  expected  The\'  doubtless  hoped  that 
the  vast  territory  of  the  body  would,  in  a  few  years,  be 
dotted  with  thriving  churches,  which  hope  was  not  to 
be  realized.  The  churches  which  left  the  Pearl  River 
Association  to  go  into  its  constitution,  had  a  total  of 
274  members,  added  to  which  was  the  strength  of  the 
Leaf  River  church.  And  yet,  we  are  told  by  Benedict, 
that  at  the  time  of  the  dissolution  of  the  Leaf  River 
Association,  it  had  only  about  300  members  in  its 
churches.  Benedict  says  "so  small  an  institution,  how- 
ever, would  not  l)e  likely  to  supply  manA'  facts  for  gen- 
eral history."' 

In  a  few  years,  differences  as  to  methods  of  work 
>\'ere  painfully  ol)serval)le,  and  disintegration  Ijcgan  to 
be  apparent.  The  anti-missionary  moth  was  laying 
eggs  that  speedily  hatched,  and  the  grul)  l)egan  at 
once  its  knawing  and  its  destructive  ^vork.  The  on- 
moving  army  of  devastation  could  not  be  checked.  The 
friends  of  the  cause  began  to  lose  heart.  In  184-1,  the 
Providence  church  went  1)ack  to  the  Pearl  River  Asso- 
ciation, and,  in  1S44-,  the  Antioch  church  took  its  ex- 
ample.    The  Tallahala  and  the  Leaf  River  churches  had 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     PAPTISTS.  727 

the  liurdcn  to  bear.  In  1S4-0  the  Leaf  River  Assoeia- 
tion  decided  to  admit  no  eorresiJondin«>'  messen^s^ers 
from  other  bodies  that  favored  missions,  Bible  socie- 
ties, etc.  This  was  a  death-dealing  blow,  and  the  best 
men  of  the  fraternity  took  leave  of  absence,  and  return- 
ed to  their  respective  homes.  Their  leaving  was  as  tke 
last  flow  of  blood  from  the  heart  of  a  wounded  man. 
The  Leaf  River  church  in  184-5  attached  itself  to  the 
Pearl  River  Association. 

In  184-G,  the  Providence,  Antioch  iind  Leaf  River 
churches,  three  churches  that  had  formerly  belonged  to 
the  Leaf  River  Association,  petitioned  the  Pearl  River 
Association  i'or  letters  of  dismission  for  the  purpose  of 
forming  a  ucav  association.  They  were  read^^  to  try 
again  the  evangelization  of  the  large  destitute  territo- 
ry in  their  ])art  ot  the  State.  Their  prayer  was  grant- 
ed by  the  association,  and  William  Fortinbury,  James 
Murray  and  William  Williams  appointed  to  assist  in 
the  organization  of  the  new  institution. 

Accordingly,  in  October  of  that  year  a  number  of 
representatives  of  churches  convened  at  Providence 
church  in  Perry  county.  The  churches  going  into  the 
union  were,  Leaf  River  of  Covington  county,  Antioch 
and  Bogue  Iloma  ol'  b'nes  county,  Tallahala  and 
Providence  of  Perry  county,  Clear  Creek  and  Ocohay 
of  Smith  county,  and  Big  S]3rings  and  Sweet  Water  ot 
Mobile  county,  Alaljama.  These  churches  had  a  total 
number  of  communicants  of  296.  The  Tallahala  and 
Providence  churches  were  constituted  in  ISIS,  and  the 
Leaf  Ri\er  in  1S21).  The  Association  was  called  the 
Ebenezcr  Baptist  Association. 

Nearly  all  the  churches  of  this  infant  institution 
were  built  up  by  the  indefatigable  labors  of  X.  Robert- 
son, Sr.  and   John   P.   Martin,  father  of  M.  T.  Martin. 


728  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

These  men,  alon,ii'  with  John  Moffett,  Giles  Sumrall  and 
W.  P.  Carter,  were  the  progressive  spirits  of  the  Leaf 
River  Association,  who  had  to  oppose  the  anti-mission- 
ary sentiment  of  Malcohn  M.  Morrison  and  Edward  Y. 
Terrall. 

Few  facts  can  be  gotten  as  to  struggles  of  the 
Ebenezer  for  the  first  few  years  of  its  history.  We  are 
inde]:)ted  to  Benedict  for  the  preservation  of  the  follow- 
ing resolution  adopted  at  the  advisory  convention. 

"Resolved,  That  in  consideration  of  the  detached 
and  isolated  condition  of  the  churches  in  this  section  of 
the  country,  the  extent  of  country  not  embodied  within 
the  limits  of  any  association,  the  advantage  of  associa- 
ted connection  among  churches,  the  destitute  condition, 
in  a  religious  ]3oint  of  view,  of  this  region,  the  necessity 
ot  a  systematic,  vigorous  and  united  effort  in  the  cause 
of  truth  and  righteousness,  and  for  other  reasons,  it  is 
expedient  that  the  churches  in  these  parts,  form  an 
association  as  soon  as  it  is  convenient.'"  A.  McKenzie, 
pastor  of  the  Providence  church,  was  a  messenger  to 
the  Pearl  River  Association  in  1847. 

John  P.  Martin  was  moderator  of  the  bod^-  from 
1848  to  1856,  inclusive.  In  this  period  of  time  A.  P. 
RoV)ertson  was  clerk  in  1848,  1849,  1851,  1852,  1854, 
1855  and  1856.  N.  Robertson,  Jr.  was  clerk  in  1850 
and  1853.  T.  L.  Mott  was  treasurer  in  1848  and  A.  P. 
Mott  from  1849  to  1856,  inclusive.  During  these  years, 
the  Mt.  Nebo  church  of  Smith  county,  was  received  in 
1849,  and  the  Williamsburg  church  of  Covington,  with 
the  Zion  Hill  church  of  Smith  count3',  in  1851.  Nevr 
Hope  church  of  Covington,  and  Indian  Springs  of  Jones 
county,  were  received  in  1854. 

In  1880,  the  Ebenezer  Association  had  not  con- 
nected itself  with  the  General  Association  of  Southe^ist 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  729 

Mississippi  or  the  Baptist  Stntc  Convention,  Init  some 
of  the  churches  had  co-o]jerate(l  in  a  measure  with  the 
General  Association  and  some  with  the  Convention. 
\V.  C.  K()l)ertson  is  authority  for  the  statement 
that  the  "Association  has  l)een  twice  solicited  to  be- 
come an  au.xiliary  memljcr  of  the  General  .\s'<()cicition, 
but  as  often  refused." 

The  ninth  annual  session  was  held  with  the  New 
Hope  church,  Covin<^ton  county,  be.u'innin.L:,  Se])t.  21, 
1855.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preached  by  \. 
Robertson,  jr.,  from  Psalms  122:  IS — "But  unto  him- 
self shall  his  crown  Hourish."  It  may  well  be  ima^^ined 
thiit  the  eloc|uent  preacher  dwelt  on  the  continued  om- 
nipotence of  God  with  a  subdued  and  a  resigned  spirit. 
On  the  16th  of  that  month,  just  live  days  ])revious,  his 
honored  father,  Xorvcll  Robertson,  Sr.,  l)reathed  his 
last. 

Norvell  Robertson,  Sr.,  was  a  native  of  \'irii"inia, 
who  came  to  our  State  by  way  of  Gec^rs^ia.  He  lici^an 
his  ministerial  career  in  May,  ISOl.  For  more  than  a 
half  century  he  i)reache(l  the  <i:osi)el  so  dear  to  him.  He 
reached  Mississippi  in  1  SI 7,  the  year  it  became  a  State. 
He  ,u:ave  thirty-eight  years  of  service  to  the  pioneer 
work  of  our  State  evangelization.  In  the  latter  part 
of  his  life  he  was  in  such  poor  health  that  he  could  do 
little  preaching.  He  was  a  man  of  tine  common  sense, 
of  deep  thought,  and  laborious  research.  He  possessed 
great  religious  and  ministerial  worth.  His  death  was 
a  great  loss  to  his  association. 

The  Executive  Board  appointed  A.  McKenzie  as 
missionary  in  the  destitute  regions  south  of  their  bor- 
der. l)ut  they  found  it  impos.sible  to  secure  his  services. 
Their  old  missionary,  so  acceptable  to  all,  W.  E.  Shep- 
herd, had  regained  his  lost  health,  and  was  employed 


730  HISTORY     OF     MlSSISSim     BAPTISTS. 

by  tne  Board.  He  !j;"avc  fifty  days  service,  and  did 
inucli  good.  He  was  prom]3tly  paid  for  the  time  he 
gave  the  Board.  The  Association  was  then  composed 
of  nine  churches,  which  had  an  aggregate  membership 
of  337. 

The  session  of  1856  was  held  with  the  Antioch 
chui'ch  in  Jones  county',  beginning  on  Saturd^iy  preced- 
ing the  fourth  Sunday-  in  Septeml)er.  John  P.  Martin 
presided  for  the  last  time  over  the  Association.  Due 
notice  is  shown  his  life's  work  in  the  history  of  the 
Mount  Pisgah  Association.  His  work  in  Southeast 
]Mississip]ji  speaks  for  itself.  It  is  a  ([uestion  of  doubt, 
if  an\'  minister  did  more  valiant  service  for  that  part 
of  our  State  than  John  P.  Martin. 

In  1857  and  1858,  \V.  E.  Shepherd  ^vas  engaged  in 
missionary  work  in  the  Pearl  River  .\ssociation,  and 
his  services  \vere  sadly  missed  in  the  El^enezer.  No 
suitable  missionfirv  could  be  secured,  which  was  a 
great  misfortune.  Aloney  had  been  paid  in  b\'  the 
churches,  and  was  in  the  hands  ot  the  treasurer,  and 
much  work  to  be  done,  and  no  reajjcrs.  Xor  had  any- 
thing been  done  in  the  proposed  joint  effort  with  the 
F*earl  River  Association  in  the  evangelization  of  the 
country  south  of  the  borders.  But  the  Executive  Board 
suggested  to  the  Association  not  to  hastily  relincjuish 
the  undertaking,  l)ut  rather  to  ])ersevere  in  it.  Pra^'er 
was  implored  that  the  olistacles  to  their  work  might 
be  removed. 

On  Monday  of  the  session  of  18v5S,  (Se])t.  27th)  the 
mooted  question  of  becoming  auxiliary  to  the  General 
Association  was  placed  before  the  body.  A  letter  had 
been  received  from  the  General  Association  with  this 
imjjort,  the  substance  of  which  was  fully  and  freely 
discussed.     The  Association  politely  approved  the  ob- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  731 

jects  contenii)latc(l  1)\'  the  (rcneral  Association,  liut 
declined  to  co-o]jerate  with  it.  The  churches  were 
iisked  to  express  themselves  as  to  uniting  with  the 
General  Association  in  tlieir  letters  to  the  Ebenezer 
one  \'ear  hence. 

The  following'  year  or  in  ISo^,  the  cjuestion  was 
lavored  with  an  order  of  the  day,  which  w<is  on  Mon- 
day during  the  sitting  of  the  body.  A  resolution  was 
oiVered,  proposing  to  waive  the  matter  of  correspond- 
ence with  the  General  Association,  and  become  a  mem- 
ber of  that  body.  After  much  debate,  a  motion  to  lay 
on  the  table  i)revailed.  A  majority  of  the  churches  was 
opjjosed  to  the  union,  iind  even  correspondence  with 
the  General  Association  was  drojjped. 

In  1859,  the  Executive  Board  secured  the  services  of 
\V.  E.  Shepperd  as  missionary.  He  reported  fifty  days 
lal)or  given  by  him  and  his  assistant,  J.  A.  Bout- 
well;  thirteen  had  l^een  baptized,  and  one  chui"ch  or- 
ganized. The  Board  was  very  nnich  gratified  and  en- 
couraged. It  seems  deplorable  that  with  their  burn- 
ing missionary  zeal,  and  with  money  in  hand,  they 
could  not  get  adequate  ministerial  services  tor  ]n*oniot- 
ing  their  evangelization.  The  financial  committee  re- 
ported $41. ()5  on  hand  for  missionary  ])nrp()ses. 

Their  fourteentli  anniversary  was  lield  with  the 
Providence  clnnch,  beginning  SejJtember  22,  1<S(S(). 
The  lea(Hng  iteni  of  l)usiness  was  the  following 
from  the  Lc.'if  River  church:  "Do  the  Scri])tures  ot  the 
New  Testament  authorize  the  marriage  of  divorced 
])ersons,  wliile  in  a  state  of  divorcement'.'"  A  suitable 
committee  was  a])])oiiited  on  the (|uerv,wliich answered 
emphatically  in  the  negative.  At  that  iinniversary  the 
association  had  on  hand  tor  its  associational  missions 
the  sum  of" $1 14-. 4-0,  and  no  niissionarv  to  be  had. 


732  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Between  1856  and  1860,  the  Association  was 
strengthened  bA^  the  addition  of  the  following  churches: 
In  1856,  the  Black  Creek  church  of  Perry  county  was 
received;  in  1858,  Ocohay  of  Covington,  Sharon  and 
Mt  Mariah  of  Jones,  Green's  Creek,  Buck  Creek  and 
Thompson's  Creek  of  Perry,  and  Harmony  of  Smith 
county.  Beaver  Dam  of  Perry  (reported  extinct  in 
1860)  and  Providence  of  Jasper  were  received  in  1859, 
and  in  1860,  Union  and  Liberty  of  Smith,  and  Sand  Hill 
and  Hebron  of  Green,  and  Ellisville  and  Pine  Valley  of 
Jones  county.  In  1860,  there  were  twenty-seven 
churches  in  the  fraternity  with  a  total  membership  of 
1,861.  From  1857  to  1860,  inclusive,  W.  E.  Shepherd 
was  moderator  of  the  Association,  A.  P.  Robertson  was 
clerk  and  ti'easurerlrom  1857  to  1859, but, being  absent 
in  1860,  D.  AI.  Carter  was  chosen  clerk,  and  J.  L.  War- 
ren treasurer. 

The  session  of  1861  was  held  with  the  New  Hojdc 
church,  Covington  county,  beginning  on  Saturday  be- 
fore the  fourth  Sunday  in  Septeml^er.  W.  A.  Shepherd 
was  chosen  moderator,  A.  P.  Robertson,  clerk  and  J. 
^'.  Ford,  trefisurer.  The  same  officers  were  elected  the 
following  year,  except  the  treasurer.  L.  H.  Watts  was 
chosen  to  fill  this  position.  In  1861,  Perkins  Creek 
church  of  Marion  county  was  received  into  the  frater- 
nity', and,  in  1862,  Big  Creek  church  of  Jones  county. 

The  seventeenth  anniversary  was  held  at  the  Prov- 
idence church,  beginning  Sept.  26,  1863.  Buck  Creek 
church,  which  had  been  reported  as  dissolved,  was  re- 
instated, and  the  Zion  Hill  church  received. 

As  the  Civil  War  was  in  progress,  questions  as  to 
the  religious  life  of  the  soldier  were  likely  to  be  placed 
l)efore  the  association.  This  c|uery  was  presented : 
"What  course  should  a  church  pursue   with   a   member 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  '  o,i 

who  has  deserted  the  Confederate  army?''  A  commit- 
tee of  six  was  aj^pointed  to  consider  and  answer  this 
question.  Tlie  answer  of  the  committee  was  cautious. 
It  was  thoui^ht  to  be  the  duty  of  churches  to  deal  with 
any  of  their  mem))ers  deserting  the  services  of  the  Con- 
federate government,  Imt  that  palHating  circumstances 
should  be  taken  into  consideration. 

The  Executive  Board  had  secured  the  services  of  W. 
E.  Shepherd  for  a  part  of  the  year,  but  very  little  had 
been  ^iccomplished.  The\^  had  not  been  able  to  expend 
the  fund  contributed  to  purchase  Testaments  for  the  vol- 
unteer soldiers.  Nearly  all  the  associations  found  it 
difficult  to  get  Bibles  and  Testaments  for  free  distribu- 
tion in  the  Confederate  arm\'. 

The  sesion  of  1864-  was  held  with  the  Williamsburg 
church.  W.  E.  Shepherd  was  chosen  moderator,  A.  P. 
Robertson  clerk,  and  j.  L.  Warren,  treasurer.  The 
Zion  Hill  church  of  Jones  county  was  received  into  the 
fraternity. 

In  1865  and  1866,  W.  H.  Shepherd  was  still  doing 
missionary  work  in  the  bounds  of  the  Association.  But 
the  Executive  Board  had  small  means  in  those  perilous 
times  and  very  little  work  was  done. 

The  historical  data  preserved  by  the  Ebenezer  Asso- 
ciation from  1860  to  1870  is  very  meager.  But  the 
historian  will  exercise,  his  ingenuity  in  keeping  a  con- 
nected thread  of  events.  He  has  drawn  on  all  available 
sources,  and  has  industriously  gathered  all  available 
facts.  He  is  much  indebted  to  X.  L.  Robertson  for 
valuable  assistance,  whose  name  just  here  enters  the 
history  of  the  Ebenezer  Association.  He  is  71  years  of 
age,  but  bright  and  cheerful  and  much  interested  in  the 
history  (jf  Mississippi  Bai)tists. 

Between  1867  and  1869,  inclusive,  W.  E.  Shepherd 


784  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

was  moderator  of  the  Assoeiation,  X.  L.  Rol^ertson, 
clerk.  X.  L.  Robertson  wfis  also  treasurer  in  1867. 
W.  C.  Robertson  was  treasurer  in  1868  and  1869.  In 
1867,  Alt.  Pleasant  church  was  received  into  the  body, 
and,  in  1858,  Pine  Ridge  and  Augusta  churches. 

The  session  of  1860  was  held  in  October  with  the 
church  at  Williambsburg.  Correspondence  was  received 
from  the  Pearl  River,  the  Strong  River,  and  the  Salem 
Associations.  Among  the  visitors  was  that  prodigy, 
A.Goss,  and  the  sensible  Xorvell  Robertson. 

The  Association  was  favored  that  year  with  a  com- 
munication from  the  Pearl  River  Association,  in  which 
was  suggested  that  a  meeting  of  tlie  ministers  of  a 
number  of  associations  l)e  held  to  consult  on  different 
points  of  doctrine.  The  communication  %vas  referred 
to  a  specifd  committee,  which  advised  that  the  Associci- 
tion  approve  and  endorse  all  that  was  contained  in  it, 
and  recommended  that  the  churches  be  stricter  as  to 
the  doctrinal  views  of  their  members.  The  tense  anti- 
nomian  views  of  some  were  so  offensive  to  others  that 
they  unwittingh'  receded  to  Arminian  sentiments,  and 
the  golden  mean  of  doctrine  was  only  held  by  the 
guarded  and  thoughtful. 

In  1870,  there  w^ere  twent\^-two  churches  in  the 
union,  with  a  total  membership  of  739.  The  churches 
that  year  received  68meml)ers  Idv  baptism,  54  by  letter, 
and  seven  were  restored.  The  churches  were  in  the 
counties  of  Covington,  Perrv,  Jones,  Green,  Smith,  and 
Marion.  The  Palestine  church,  Jones  county,  was  re- 
ceived, and  the  delegates  invited  to  seats.  A  new 
church,  called  Fair  Hope,  asked  for  admittance  in  the 
body,  but  was  rejected  for  the  lack  of  an  abstract  of 
faith,  and  l)ecause  it  was  organized  without  an  assist- 
ing presbytery. 


iiisTOHV    OF    ^[ississirri    baptist?.  73v5 

TIk'  tollowiuLi"  resolution  shows  nn  awakening"  in 
the  Association  that  is  highly  coniniendalile : 

"Resolved,  That  it  is  tlie  sense  of  this  Association 
that  the  Executive  Board  enii)h)v  a  minister  to  labor 
in  tlie  destitute  country  in  the  l)()unds  of  this  Associa- 
tion, as  h)n_<i"  as  they  think  it  expedient,  and  that  the 
members  of  this  l)ody  use  all  the  means  in  their  power 
to  raise  funds  for  that  i)urpose,  and  rej)ort  to  the  Board 
as  soon  as  ])ossi])le."' 

The  twenty-fifth  session  was  held  with  the  Pine 
Rid.uc  churcii.  bcii^innini;"  September  30,  1S71.  The  in- 
troductory scruK^n  was  preached  by  J.  P.  Johnson  from 
Eph.  4-:4-,  5.  J.  P. Johnson,  who  was  chosen  moderator 
the  year  previous,  was  re-elected.  N.  L.  Robertson  held 
his  place  as  clerk,  and  \V.  C  Robertson  was  re-elected 
treasurer.  J.  P.  Johnson  held  his  })osition  to  1880, 
when  J.  D.  KnijJ^ht  was  chosen  as  their  presidinji^  officer. 
N.  L.  Robertson  was  clerk  to  1879,  at  which  time  W.C. 
Robertson  was  chosen  as  their  scribe,  and  was  clerk 
thiit  year  and  the  year  following.  W.  C.  Robertson 
was  treasurer  until  1875,  when  J.  ().  Redd(^ck  was 
elected  to  hll  the  place,  which  position  he  occui«ed  to 
1880,  inclusive. 

In  1871,  Fair  IIoi)e  and  Buck  Creek  churches  were 
received  into  the  union. 

The  fmancial  eml)arrassment  of  Mississippi  w^as 
referred  to  with  ajjpropriate  preamble  and  resolution. 
It  Avas  recommended  that  cjich  minister  become  a  vol- 
untary ai^ent  to  aid  M.  T.  Martin  in  raising  a  fund  to 
cancel  the  deljt  on  the  collej^e.  That  institution  of 
learning  was  declared  to  be  ''one  of  the  most  efhcient 
means  (under  (lod)  in  our  land  for  the  accomplishment 
of  li'ood.'" 

In  1873  and    1874-,    the   following    churches   were 


736  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

received  into  the  body  :  Holh''s  Creek  of  Wayne  coiint_v, 
Liberty  of  Covington  county,  Bethlehem  of  Jones, 
Salem  of  Covington,  and  Fellowship  of  Smith  county. 
There  were  then  twenty-four  churches  in  the  Elienezer 
Association,  with  a  total  membership  of  876. 

The  question  arose  that  year  of  affiliation  Avith  the 
General  Ass(K'iation.  The  affiliiition  was  not  sought 
by  the  General  Association,  but  the  ([uestion  c£inie  be- 
fore them  in  these  resolutions  : 

"'Resolved,  That  the  Ebenezer  Baptist  Association 
recommend  to  the  churches  to  take  into  consideration 
the  propriety  of  attaching  our  association  to  the  Gen- 
eral Association  this  year. 

2nd,  Resolved,  further,  that  this  Association  cor- 
respond with  said  General  Association  this  year."  The 
next  year  the  (juestion  was  considerably  discussed, 
after  which  discussion  the  follov^ang  resolution  was 
adopted  : 

^'Resolved,  That  we  deem  it  inexpedient  to  unite 
with  the  General  Association."  That  ended  the  chapter. 

On  Sunday  during  the  sitting  of  the  Association,  a 
collection  was  taken,  amounting  to  $18.40,  to  pay 
John  Williams  for  services  rendered  as  missionary-  of 
the  General  Association.  On  Monday,  1)y  permission 
of  the  Association,  I*rof.  M.^T.  Martin  made  a  speech 
on  missions,  after  which  a  collection  was  taken, 
amounting  to  $27.00,  for  the  same  purpose  as  the 
collection  on  Sunday.  The  father  of  M.  T.  Martin  was 
held  in  universal  esteem  by  the  Baptists  of  that  part  of 
the  State,  which  gave  M.  T.  Martin  ready  access  to 
the  hearts  and  purses  of  the  people.  He  also  spoke  on 
the  endowment  of  Mississippi  College  to  good  effect. 
By  a  string-  of  resolutions,  the  efforts  of  the  State  Con- 
vention to  raise  a  thank-oflferinjj:  fund  for  education  on 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  737 

the  centennial  of  American  libert\'  was  heartily  ap- 
proved, and  the  treasurer  was  instructed  to  forward 
to  the  treasurer  of  the  State  Convention  any  money 
which  might  be  contributed  by  their  churches  for  that 
purpose.  It  was  cdso  resolved  that  any  member  of 
that  Association  that  should  l)e  at  the  next  meeting  of 
the  State  Convention  be  authorized  to  represent  them 
in  the  Convention. 

In  1876,  the  ([uestion  of  affiliation  with  the  Gener- 
al Association  recurred.  It  was  decided  that  they 
would  send  delegates  with  funds  to  the  next  meeting  of 
the  General  Association.  A  collection  was  then  taken 
amounting  to  ten  dollars  to  be  sent  to  the  General  As- 
sociation. It  was  difficult  for  them  to  get  their  minds 
at  ease  on  this  sul)ject,  which  is  not  at  all  a  matter  of 
■wonder,  when  we  consider  their  isolated  condition  and 
environments. 

In  1877,  there  were  no  exciting  causes  in  the  Asso- 
ciation. It  is  a  matter  of  notice  that  the  Association 
has  not  had  to  this  date  any  committees  to  report  on 
the  various  mission  fields,  and  other  home  benevo- 
lences. The  reports  made  hy  such  committees  are  in- 
structive, even  though  they  embrace  no  recomenda- 
tions. 

In  1877,  there  were  twenty-six  churches  in  the  Asso- 
ciation, with  a  total  membership  of  1,1 54.  Thegrowth 
of  the  body  was  steady  and  continuous,  and 
one  cannot  but  wish  that  Norvell  Kol^ertson  Sr., 
who  struggled  so  manfulh'  for  the  promotion  of  the 
cause  in  his  day,  could  have  lived  to  see  the  prosjjcrous 
condition  of  this  fraternity. 

M.  T.  Martin,  the  ubicpiitous  friend  of  Mississippi 
College,  in  particular,  and  the  interests  of  thestatecon- 
vention  in  general,  was  with  them  again  in   1888.     Be- 


738  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

lore  the  close  of  the  session,  J.  P.  Johnson  and  J.  D. 
Knig-ht  were  chosen  to  represent  their  association  in 
the  Baptist  State  Convention  at  their  next  session. 
M.  T.  Martin  had  a  way  of  always  bringing  something 
to  pass,  and  was  one  of  the  best  friends  the  State  Con- 
A^ention  had  in  the  days  of  its  struggle. 

The  ordained  ministers  in  the  Association  at  that 
date  were,  J.  P.  Jonson.  J.  P.  Merrett,  J.  D.  Knight, 
O.  Lynes,  R.  M.  Webster, S.  Busby,  J.  A.  Boutwell,  J.  R. 
Shows.  II.  Graham,  and  X.  L.  Robertson.  That  \-ear 
lourteen  churches  had  an  increase  of  m2ml)ership.  seven 
had  decreased,  one  liad  dissolved,  one  neither  gained 
nor  lost  in  membership,  and  three  were  not  I'epre- 
sented. 

The  Association  met  in  1 879  with  the  New  Ho|)e 
Church,  Covington  county,  and  in  1880  with  the  Pal- 
estine church,  Jones  county.  ALT.  Martin  was  with 
his  friends  again  in  1880.  He  lead  in  prayer  when  the 
body  was  called  to  order  and  was  one  of  the  reading 
clerks.  The  Beulah  church  of  Jones  county  was  re- 
ceived into  the  union.  On  vSunday  E.  L.  Carter  and  M. 
T.  Martin  preached,  it  is  said,  "to  a  large  and  atten- 
tive audience."  A  small  cash  collection  was  taken  for 
Home  missions, amounting  to  $5.43. 

In  1880,  regular  reports  were  made  on  Foreign  mis- 
sions. Home  missions,  Sunday  schools.  Ministerial  Ed- 
ucation, and  Publications  for  the  first  time.  Pending 
the  discussion  of  the  report  on  Foreign  missions,  a  col- 
lection was  taken  for  that  oljject,  amounting  to  $1,200. 
The  clever  sum  of  $4-6.73  was  reported  on  hand  for 
^'missionary  ]:)urposes."  The^-  agreed  to  co-operate 
with  the  General  Association  in  its  mission  work. 

In  the  report  on  Ministerial  Education,  no  institu- 
tion of  learninir  ^vas  mentioned.      Education   was  de- 


PIISTOKY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  739 

clared  <'i  valuable  aid  to  .a  minister  inunderstandinji  the 
Word,  and  all  yoiin^"  ministers  were  ur<j;^ed  to  avail 
themselves  ot  the  benefits  of  an  edueation.  In  the  re- 
port on  I'ublieations,  both  the  Baptist  Record  and  the 
Southern  Baptist  were  reeommended  as  worthy  of  their 
support.  Letters  of  dismission  were  granted  to  Fair 
Ho])e,  Cyi^ress  Creek,  and  Pine  Ridge  churches. 

On  the  whole,  the  study  of  the  Ebenezer  Associa- 
tion is  interesting.  It  has  done  to  1880  a  good  work 
in  planting  churches  in  Southeast  Mississippi.  The 
lack  of  a  suHicient  number  of  ministers  to  do  the  neces- 
sary work,  is  a  painful  contemplation,  but  nobly  did 
Shepherd,  Robertson,  Martin,  Johnson,  Knight,  and 
others  as  worthy,  do  their  duty  to  their  people.  The 
writer  has  enjoyed  a  growing  appreciation  of  these 
earnest  Christians. 

The  session  of  18S1  was  hekl  with  the  Tallahala 
Baptist  church,  Perry  county.  O.  Lynes  preached  the 
introductory  sermon.  I'pon  petition  Bethel  church  of 
Jones  county,  and  Bethel  church  of  Covington  county 
were  received  into  the  fraternity.  J.  D.  Knight  was 
their  moderator,  T.  J.  Huff  clerk,  and  J.  ().  Reddick 
treasurer.  There  were  twenty-seven  churches  in  the 
Association,  which  had  a  total  membership  of 
1,191.  r)nc  iiundrcd  and  four  members  were  received 
that  year  l)y  l)a])tism  and  fifty-six  Ijy  letter.  The 
churches  rejiorted  $()(). l-f)  contributed  to  Home  mis- 
i^ions,  and  $2.1")  to  Indian  missions.  The  collection  on 
Sunday  was  SI  1 .7."  lo  Home  missions,  $5.25  to  For- 
.eign  missions,  and  $3.0)  tor  the  State  Mission  Board. 
They  sent  that  year  to  tne  General  Association  $46.73, 
to  l)e  c(jntributc(l  to  the  missionary  work  of  that  or- 
ganization. 11.  M.  Long,  chairman  of  the  Committee 
on  Home  missions,  made  the   suggestion  that   ])astors 


740  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

tir^e  upon  their  churches  the  importance  of  the  enter- 
prise, and  tlie  res])onsibilit3'  resting:  on  tliem  in  its  pro- 
motion. 

The  session  of  1882  was  held  with  the  Bethlehem 
church,  twelve  miles  northeast  of  Ellisville,  Jones  coun- 
ty. H.  M.Long  was  to  preach  the  introductory  ser- 
mon, J.  D.  Knight  being  alternate. 

It  is  observable  that  the  increase  of  membership  in 
the  bod3^  was  greater  than  the  proportion  of  the  in- 
crease of  the  churches.  In  1881,  there  were  twenty-sev- 
en churches  in  the  union,  having  a  total  of  1,191;  in 
1884,  the}'  had  twenty-nine  churches,  and  an  aggre- 
gate membership  of  1,312,  the  churches  having  received 
that  year  ninety-three  persons  by  baptism,  and  eighty- 
two  by  letter. 

In  1882,  J.  D.  Knight  was  chosen  moderator,  T.  J. 
Huff,  clerk,  and  J.  O.  Reddock,  treasurer.  Upon  peti- 
tion the  Fair  Hope  church  of  Perry  county,  and  the 
Washington,  Sweetwater,  and  Sand  Hill  churches  of 
Green  county  were  received,  and  the  right  hand  of  fel- 
lowship extended  by  the  moderator.  The  collections 
on  Sunday  were,  for  Home  missions,  $7.15,  and  for  In- 
dian missions,  $6.25. 

On  motion,  it  was  resolved  to  instruct  the  treasurer 
to  turn  over  the  mission  fund  of  the  Association  to  the 
delegates  to  the  General  Association.  He  had  for 
Home  missions  $47.30,  and  for  Indian  missions  $10.90. 

The  delegates  to  the  General  Association  were  J.  D. 
Knight.  J.  P.  Merrett,  W.  R.  Lott,  A.  Quick,  and  W.  G. 
Morgan. 

In  1883,  the  treasurer  received  as  the  general  con- 
tributions of  the  churches  $83.20,  for  Home  missions, 
$40.00,  for  Foreign  missions,  $6.50,  and  for  Indian 
missions,  $15.75. 

The  annual  session  of  1884  was  held  from  the  fourth 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  ^^l 

to  the  sixth  of  October  with  the  Shiloh  church  in  Cov- 
intjton  county.  J.  D.  Knight  was  their  moderator,  and 
J.  O.  Reddock  clerk.  The  Mt.  OHve  church  in  Jones 
county  was  received,  and  the  right  hand -of  fellowship 
extended  to  its  delegates  by  the  moderator. 

The  affiliations  of  the  Ebcnezer  Association  were 
then  with  the  (xeneral  Associcition  of  Southeastern  Mis- 
sissi|)i)i.  By  a  resolution  the  money  sent  by  the 
churches  to  the  Association  for  missionar\'  purposes 
was  to  be  sent  to  the  General  Association.  In  their  re- 
port on  missions  read  by  J.  P.Johnson  itis  said:  "Thus 
it  behooved  Christ  to  suffer  and  rise  again  on  the  third 
dav,  that  repentance  and  remission  of  sins  should  be 
preached  in  His  name  to  all  nations,  l^eginning  at  Je- 
rusalem. This  blessed  work,  this  Association  is  en- 
gaged in  through  the  General  Association  of  Missis- 
sijjpi,  and  with  as  bright  prospects  the  last  year  as  ever 
before  since  its  organization.'"  Their  contributions  to 
Foreign  missions  were  sent  directly  to  Dr.  A.  H.  Tup- 
per,  Richmond,  \'a.,  who  was  the  Corresponding  Sec- 
retary of  the  Foreign  Mission  Board. 

The  following  year  co-operation  with  the  General 
Association  was  agreed  upon,  and  six  delegates  chosen 
to  represent  them  at  its  next  meeting.  In  their  report 
on  missions,  we  find  that  J.  P.  Johnson,  J.  P.  Merrett, 
and  J.  D.  Kinght,  three  of  their  strongest  members,  had 
been  laboring  for  them  at  the  re(|uest  of  the  General 
Association,  and  that  they  luid  baptized  about  100 
persons  in  the  last  Associational  year.  The^'  had  sent 
that  year  to  the  General  Association  for  home,  or  As- 
sociational missions  $49. Go,  for  Foreign  missions, 
$14-.o0,  and  for  Indian  missions  $11.00. 

In  1S!S5,  there  was  a  considerable  stir  among  their 
churches.     One  church  was  received.  Prospect,  of  E*erry 


742  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPri     BAPTISTS. 

county.  Indian  Springs,  Bctlilchcni,  liickcMy  Grove^ 
and  Bethel  churches  were  dismissed  by  letter  upon  their 
request.  The  church  at  Augusta  had  applied  the  year 
before  for  a  letter  of  dismission,  which  application  had 
been  overlooked  and  the  letter  granted  in  1885. 

().  Lynes  had  reaped  the  ill-favor  of  his  brethren. 
It  is  said  that  he  had  been  guilty- of  "criminal  conduct." 
The  Mt.  Moriah  church  had  excluded  him.  A  commit- 
tee was  raised  to  consider  the  irregularity  of  the  action 
of  the  Mt.  Moriah  church.  The  committee  found  that 
O.  Lynes  was  a  meinber  of  the  Washington  church  in 
Alabama  when  excluded  from  the  Mt.  Moriah  church. 
Fellowshi])  was  nevertheless  withdrawn  from  the  Mt. 
Moriah  church  for  permitting  him  to  occujn-  their  pul- 
pit when  guilty  of  criminal  conduct. 

The  session  of  1886  was  held  with  the  old  Tallahala 
church,  beginning  (October  2nd.  J.  D.  Knigiit  was 
again  elected  moderator,  and  [.  ().  Rcddock,  clerk.  The 
Tuscanola  church  was  received  into  the  Association, 
and  the  Mt.  Moriah  church  received  again  into  the 
bodv.  Co-operation  with  the  General  Association  was 
satisfactory,  and  was,  upon  motion,  continued.  John- 
son, Knight  and  Merritt  were  still  missionaries  under 
the  direction  of  the  General  Association. 

The  session  of  1887  was  held  with  the  Big  Creek 
church,  foncs  county,  nine  miles  west  of  Ellisville.  J.  D. 
Knight  was  to  ])reach  the  introductory  sermon,  with 
J.  L.  Sampcv  as  his  alternate.  J.  T.  Merritt  was  chosen 
moderator,  and  J.  O.  Rcddock,  clerk. 

From  that  date  to  1900,  the  co-operation  of  the 
Association  was  with  the  General  Association  in  their 
missif)narv  work.  Yearly  messengers  were  delegated 
bv  the  Ebenezer  to  attend  the  annual  meetings  of  the 
General     Association,     and    contributions     were     sent 


HISTOK^'     Ol'^     MISSISSIPPI      HAPTISTS.  74^i 

through  that  chaniK'l  to  the  various  hcncvolcnt  objects 
which  they  aided. 

It  appears  that  the  cliurches  of  the  body  were 
growinsj-  into  a  lack  of  harmony  in  doctrine.  In  1S87, 
a  (|uery  was  sent  to  tlie  Association  l)y  Alt.  Moriah, 
County  Line  and  Holly's  Creek  churches,  asking-  if  the 
fourth  article  of  their  faith  was  in  conformity  with  the 
teachings  of  the  Scriptures.  We  here  give  the  article: 
"  We  firmly  believe  in  the  everlasting  love  of  God  to  His 
people,  in  the  eternal  and  unconditional  election  of  all 
His  spiritual  children  to  grace  and  glory.'  The  mod- 
erator was  called  upon  to  answer  the  c[uery,  which  he 
did  by  citing  the  chapters  of  the  books  of  the  Bible  in 
which  the  doctrine  of  election  is  taught.  Just  why 
these  churches  ])ropounded  this  ([uestion  the  Minutes 
do  not  show.  Their  total  contributions  that  vear 
amounted  to  $134-. 05.  The  Association  adjourned  to 
meet  w'ith  the  Providence  in  Perry  count\-  the  follow- 
ing \'ear. 

The  session  of  1SS9  was  held  with  Cnion  church. 
The  introductory  sermon  was  preached  by  J.  D.  Knight 
from  1  Cor.  8:11.  Z.  T.  (iilmore  was  elected  modera- 
tor and  J.  ().  Reddock.  clerk.  This  meeting  was  clothed 
with  little  interest.  The  sum  of  $4-8.15  was  reported 
as  contributed  to  Domestic  missions,  $4.65  to  Indian 
missions,  and  $4.95  to  Foreign  missions.  In  the  re])ort 
on  missions  it  is  said:  "We  l)clicve  that  the  spirit  of 
missions  is  the  si)irit  of  Christ,  and  that  he  came  into 
the  world  as  a  great  missionary,  u\)on  a  mission  of 
love  to  seek  and  to  save  that  which  was  lost." 

The  Oak  Bower  church  was  received  into  the  Asso- 
ciation in  1<S9().  A  mnnber  of  churches  were  that  vear 
lost  to  the  roll  of  churches.  P>eulah  church  h.id  uncere- 
moniously  gone   to   another  association :    Sweetwater 


744  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

and  New  Zion  churches  had  been  dissolved,  and  letters 
of  dismission  were  granted  to  Washington,  Prospect 
and  Fair  Hope,  making  in  all,  a  diminution  of  six 
jchurches. 

From  1890  to  1900,  the  Association  was  subject 
to  a  slow  process  of  decline.  The  contributions  of  the 
■churches  1)ecame  smaller  and  smaller.  The  reports  on 
the  Vcirious  objects  fostered  b}-  them  had  few  recom- 
mendations in  them,  and  were  generally  short,  and 
Avithout  direct  aim.  In  1891,  there  were  nineteen 
churches  in  the  Association,  with  a  total  of  1,029  mem- 
bers. In  1900,  the  Association  was  composed  of  four- 
teen churches,  with  an  aggregate  membership  of  965, 
In  1891,  the  churches  gave  to  Home  missions  $27.37, 
and  to  Foreign  missions  $12.50.  In  1900,  they  gave 
to  Home  missions  $10.40,  and  to  F(jreign  missions 
$3.75. 

Their  reports  on  Sunday  schools,  usually  short,  did 
not  give  any  information  as  to  the  Sunda^'-school  work 
in  the  churches  of  the  Association.  Their  reports  on 
Education  seldom  recommended  any  institution  of 
learning,  and  not  once,  Mississippi  College.  The  Siva- 
rena  High  School  was  sometimes  recommended. 

Their  reports  on  Temperance  were  good,  but  did 
not  bear  on  any  practical  points,  as  to  the  great  pro- 
hibition movement.  The3^  received  no  reports  on  Sus- 
tentation,  or  the  Orphanage. 

The  last  years  of  the  Ebenezer  Association  were 
not  its  best  years.  They  were  marked  evidently  by  a 
division  of  sentiment  and  widening  breach  as  to  doc- 
trinal views.  The  golden  days  of  the  body  were  from 
1865  to  1880,  the  days  when  the  wonderfully  gifted 
Robertson  family  was  furnishing  some  of  the  guiding- 
spirits  of  the  body. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  745 

Tlirouo-h  the  (Iccride  from  1S90  to  1900,  the  body 
had  as  its  worthy  clerk,  J.  ().  Red(h)ck.  His  Minutes 
were  well  gotten  up  and  in  good  language.  Their 
moderators  were  Z.  T.  Gilmore  in  1S91  and  1S92  ;  J.  P. 
Alerritt  from  1893  to  1S96:  J.D.Harrison  in  1897, 
J.  P.  Johnson  in  1899  and  1900. 

Attached  to  this  history  is  a  number  of  sketches  of 
some  of  the  strong  men  who  have  exerted  great  in- 
fluence in  tlie  Ebenezer  Association.  Their  biography 
is  not  given  in  P^'osters  Mississippi  Baptist  Preachers, 
and  for  this  reason  are  given  here.  The  sketches  have 
been  furnished  by  X.  L.  Robertson,  and  show  much  of 
vivid  originality. 

X.  Rol)ertson,  Sr.  This  minister  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia, May  22,  1765,  and  emigrated  to  Georgia  some 
years  after  the  revolutionary  war,  where  he  was  proba- 
bly ordained  to  the  ministry.  He  served  churches  in 
Georgia  until  al)out  1817,  wlien  he  emigrated  to  what 
is  now  Perry  county,  Miss.,  and  settled  in  the  north- 
western part  of  that  county,  in  n  few  miles  of  the  pren- 
ent  city  of  Hattiesburg.  In  1818,  he  gathered  two 
churches,  Providence,  on  Bowie  Creek,  and  Tallahala 
on  the  stream  of  that  name.  These  churches  are  still 
living  and  are  the  oldest  churches  in  this  {)art  of  the 
State.  Afterwards,  in  1829,  he  gathered  Leaf  River 
church,  near  Leaf  River,  in  the  northeastern  i)art  of 
Covington  county,  of  which  R.  Drummond  is  now  pas- 
tor. A))out  this  time  he  removed  to  the  neighborhood 
of  Leaf  River  church  and  became  a  member  of  it,  re- 
maining so  until  his  deatli  in  Sejjtember,  1855,  in  his 
91st  year.  He  was  a  very  able,  logical,  doctrinal 
preacher,  wise  in  counsel,  hrm,  plain  and  kind  as  a 
pastor;  sound  and  unshaken  in  doctrine,  and  a  first- 
rate  disciplinarian.     He  was  of  Scotch  descent,  and  had 


74-(3  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

the  S()l)crness,  perseverance,  ])enetration  and  deeply 
reflective  faculties  usvxally  attril)uted  to  that  people  in 
an  eminent  degree.  Like  all  ministers  of  his  time  he 
made  his  living  at  home.  He  was  a  blacksmith,  wood- 
workman,  farmer  and  miller.  One  anecdote  illustrates 
his  character.  While  a  miller,  one  year  corn  crops  were 
cut  short  and  many  had  to  buy  corn.  He  and  very  few 
others  had  corn  to  spare.  A  brother  in  the  church 
Avent  to  him  with  money  to  buy  corn.  "No  l^rother — 
you  have  the  money,  and  get  corn  wherever  it  is  for 
sale,  but  there  arc  many  others  who  have  neither  corn 
or  money — 1  must  supply  them.""  And  he  would  not 
let  the  In-other  have  a  grain,  but  he  freeh'  let  his  corn 
go  on  credit  to  those  who  had  neither  corn  nor  money. 

Wm.  E.  Sheppard.  Though  raised  in  Lawrence 
county  he  spent  most  of  his  ministerial  life  residing  in 
I*errv  and  Covington.  He  served  many  churches  in 
Covington,  Perr^-  and  Jones  counties,  and  traveled 
nearly  all  over  Hancock,  Harrison,  Jackson,  Green, 
Perry  and  Marion  counties  as  the  missionary  of  the 
Ebenezer  Association,  of  which  he  was  several  years 
the  moderator.  He  was  a  very  useful  inan.  Though 
sound  in  doctrine,  and  fairly  able,  yet  his  gift  lay  more 
in  e.vhortation :  and  he  had  the  gift  of  reaching  the 
feelings  of  his  congregations.  It  was  quite  a  common 
remark  among  his  l)rethren,  that  his  strength  as  a 
preacher  did  not  lie  in  his  talent,  for  he  had  but  little 
of  that,  but  in  his  lilameless  life,  where  he  was  indeed 
strong.  Everybody  said  he  was  a  good  man,  and 
hence  lie  had  a  great  influence  and  accomplished  a  work 
altogether  out  of  ])r()portion  to  his  mental  aliility.  Pie 
finally  moved  to  Navarro  county,  Texas.  He  was  a 
good  man,  and  a  successful  minister  of  Christ,  and 
some  of  his  work  is  still  in  Leaf  River  church,  standing 
as  pillars  in  the  house  of  om^  (iod. 


HISTORY     UF     MISSISSIPPI     UAPTISTS.  74-T 

John  MofFett.  Tliis  ])reaolier  was  ])r()l)al)ly  raised 
in  the  southeast  jKirt  ot  I'erry,  or  in  Jackson  county, 
but  when  (jr  where  he  entered  the  ministry  I  do  not 
know;  Init  he  hved  several  years,  and  died  near  the 
southwest  corner  of  Jasper  county,  a  neijT;hl)or  to  John 
P.  Martin  and  Jas.  I*.  Johnston.  I  never  knew  him  to 
take  the  care  of  any  church,  and  yet  he  was  (|uite  an 
able  i)rcacher.  lie  Hved  to  l)e  94  years  old.  (See  "A 
Dramatic  Scene  "'  in  The  Biiptist.) 

J.  A.  Boutwell  entered  the  ministry  hfty  or  more 
years  at;"o.  He  was  raised  in  Lincoln,  or  Pike  count3', 
near  the  I.  C.  Railroad:  l)ut  entered  the  ministry,  I 
think,  in  Jones  county,  at  a  time  when  Jones  was  re- 
garded as  a  backwoods  country.  He  was  a  ij^ood  man, 
sincere,  lionest  and  zealous,  and  very  tar  from  being  a 
fool ;  l)ut  his  method  of  preaching  was  singular  in  the 
extreme.  He  spoke  so  fast  that  many  of  his  words 
came  out  mutilated,  and  with  one  end  or  the  other 
amputated,  and  when  he  was  through,  neither  he  nor 
any  one  else  knew  what  he  had  said.  He  was  a  sound, 
firm,  and  intelligent  preacher,  it  not  a  very  intelligible 
one.  But  after  all  God  knew  what  hie  was  doing  when 
he  called  J.  A.  Boutwell.  Boutwell  did  a  grand  and 
nol)le  \vork  for  Christ  in  Jones  county,  a  work  that 
probably  no  other  man  could  have  done,  .\tter  long 
years  of  hard  and  laithful  work,  the  old  servant  was 
worn  out,  and  the  held  was  ready  tor  entirely  different 
laborers.  Wlien  Boutwell  went  out.  another  man  just 
like  him  could  noL  ha\e  gone  into  that  same  held  and 
found  a  place  t(i  make  a  uiark;  but  the  harvest  was 
ready  for  different  men.  Boutwell,  worn  out  ])hysi- 
cally,  returned  to  the  section  where  he  was  raised,  and 
(juietly  awaited  the  sunnnons  to  go  u])  higher,  and, 
when  it  came,  he  was  ])robably  over  ninet\'  years  old. 


74S  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

E.  L.  Crirter,  a  tall,  straiijjht,  red-bearded  man, with 
one  blue  eye  and  one  yellow  one,  who  could  read  his  Bi- 
ble with  lioth  eyes  and  his  mind  at  the  same  time.  He 
came  to  this  section  of  the  country  an  ordained  minis- 
ter, from  the  bounds  of  the  Salem  Association.  Few 
men  could  preach  a  l^etter  sermxin.  He  was  in  the  main 
a  ij^^ood  disci])linarian,  l^ut  he  had  somewhere  got  hold 
of  an  idea  which  detracted  from  his  usefulness  and  his 
popularity.  He  had  arrived  by  some  means  to  thecon- 
elusion  that  a  church  could  do  no  valid  act  in  confer- 
ence, unless  the  pastor  was  present,  sitting-  as  moder- 
ator. He  was  honest,  but  it  injured  his  usefulness. 
But  in  the  pulpit  as  a  doctrinal  or  hortatory  preacher 
he  liad  few  e((uals  in  his  day. 

fas.  P.  Joiinson  commenced  his  ministry  more  than 
fifty  years  ago.  He  was  r<'iised  in  Perry  and  adjoining 
counties,  without  the  guidance  of  a  father.  Soon  after 
arriving  at  manhood,  he  joined  a  Baptist  church,  and 
was  soon  licensed  to  preach,  though  he  had  almost  no 
literary  education.  He  could  scarcely  read  a  hymn.  He 
set  himself  to  hfird  study  of  one  book  mainly,  working 
during  tlic  da\',  and  studying  a  good  part  of  the  night 
by  the  light  from  his  hre-place.  This  method  of  study 
he  continued  nearly  as  long  as  he  lived,  and  by  it  he 
became  one  of  the  Ijcst  Bilile  educated  men  I  ever  knew. 
In  his  prime,  he  was  one  of  the  very  ablest  men  I  ever 
saw  to  show  the  relation  between  the  law  and  the  gos- 
pel, and  iK-tween  the  types  of  the  Old  Testament  and 
their  fulfillment  in  the  New.  He  had  a  wonderful 
knowledge  of  the  doctrines  taught  in  God's  Word, 
and  their  systematic  rehition  to  each  other.  He  had 
also  the  gift  of  nudcing  all  these  things   plain   to   those 

who  would  listen  and  think.     He  was  a  masterly  reas- 
oner.     He  was  an   excellent  disciplinarian   and   one  of 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     IJAPTISTS.  T49 

the  best  moderators  of  a  church,  or  an  association,  in 
the  country.  The  work  of  the  General  Association  in 
South  Mississi])])i  was  almost  a  fruitless  work  until  he 
was  sent  there.  The  Red  Creek  Association,  at  its  or- 
ganization, Avas  almost  entirely  his  work.  He  licld  a 
greater  influence  than  any  other  man  ever  did,  I  suppose 
in  all  the  countr}-  bounded  by  the  lines  of  Covington, 
Jones  and  Wayne  on  the  north,  the  Alaliama  line  on  the 
east,  Pearl  River  on  the  west,  and  the  Gulf  on  the  south, 

N.  L.  ROBEKTSON. 


750  HISTOKY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

THP:    YAZOO   ASSOCIATION. 

It  must  be  boi'iie  in  mind  that  there  have  been  two 
Yazoo  Associations,  as  Avell  as  two  Choctaw  Associa- 
tions. But  the  two  Choctaw  Associations  are  con- 
nected, while  the  two  Yazoo  Associations  are  not.  The 
Choctaw  was  estabhshed  in  the  country  of  the  Choctaw 
Indians,  and  the  territory  of  the  Yazoo  Association  had 
the  Yazoo  county  as  its  western  border,  with  a  church 
called  Yazoo  in  the  union;  that  is,  in  the  old  Yazoo 
Association. 

The  old  Yazoo  Association,  says  Benedict,  was  con- 
stituted in  1842,  which  makes  it  appear  the  oldest  As- 
sociation in  North  Mississippi,  the  Buttahatchie  being 
really  an  Alabama  association.  If  a  copy  of  the  Min- 
utes of  this  institution  exists,  it  is  not  available.  But 
Ave  have  other  authoritative  sources  of  information. 
The  CarroUton  church  went  into  the  old  Yazoo  As- 
sociation in  1833.  At  that  time  the  CarroUton  church 
w^as  located  on  Coila  Creek,  ten  miles  south  of  Car- 
roUton and  was  called  Bethel.  It  was  moved  to  Car- 
roUton in  1835.  This  church  was  in  the  old  Yazoo 
Association  until  1837.  The  Doak's  Creek  church 
and  the  old  Shongalo  church  were  also  in  the  union, 
and,  in  all  probability,  the  Hays  Creek  and  the  Middle- 
ton  churches,  as  Joseph  Morris  was  their  pastor,  and 
he  Avas  an  ardent  supporter  of  the  old  Yazoo  Associa- 
tion. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     iJAPTISTS.  751 

In  1SP)7.  the  iiislilution  was  conijjosed  of  ten 
churchi.'s,  it  had  live  i)rc'achers,  and  the  ehurches  liad  an 
a^<^re.ii^ate  niemhershi])  of  207,  liavint;:  reeeived  seven  by 
ba])tism  that  year. 

Added  to  the  churehes  above  named,  were  the  Ya- 
zoo. Hiekory  S])rin.u;s,  Roeky  Sprini^s.  and  Lebanon 
churelies,  whieli  makes  nine  ehiirehes  of  the  body,  the 
other  one  l)ein_ti"  unknown. 

As  to  the  annual  ,L;:atherin,i^s  of  the  body,  we  know 
that  it  held  the  session  of  1S86  with  the  CarroUton 
church.  Nathan  Morris  was  chosen  moderator,  and  a 
Mr.  Crain,  clerk.  They  adjourned  to  meet  the  Doaks 
Creek  church,  but  we  have  little  reason  to  believe  that 
they  did  so.  In  fact,  they  sent  messeuijers  to  the  Yal- 
lobusha,  which  met  close  to  them  at  Old  Salem  church, 
in  Carroll  county,  proposinu:  a  union  of  the  two  bodies. 
The  V.'dlobusha  had  then  but  five  churches,  which  had 
a  total  membership  of  1  4-2,  and  readily  consented  to 
their  jjroposition. 

The  ])roposition  of  the  Vallal)usha  was  that  the 
churches  of  each  send  delej^ates  to  the  KockA'  Sprini»s 
church  of  tlie  \'az()o  Association,  the  meetinjj:,  or  Con- 
vention, to  be<i:in  Fridav  before  the  Lord's  day  in  May 
1S87.  They  met.  and  had  a  stormy  time.  The  writer 
^ot  his  tacts  as  to  this  mectinu"  from  Z.  Oldham,  wlio 
was  in  the  body,  re])resentin_<j:  Shon<ralo  church.  The 
(|uestion  ui)on  which  they  so  seriously  differed  was, 
Avhfit  should  be  the  ])olicy  of  the  new  body?  The  mis- 
sionary and  the  anti-missionary  mem])ers  were  equallv 
assertive  and  voiciferous,  and  the  meetin,!:;'  adjourned  in 
the  tcreatest  disorder.  The  Primitive  BajJtist  Associfi- 
tion  was  founded  in  lsr-i9  of  four  of  the  churches,  the 
Yazoo,  the  Hickory  S])rin,t^s,the  Rocky  Sjirinj^s,  and  the 
Lebanon:  the  CarroUton  church  jjrojjosed  t^i^oing  to  the 


752  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Zion,  the  Doak's  Creek  Avent  into  the  formation  of  the 
Mount  risgah  Association  in  the  fall  of  1837,  and,  ])er- 
haps,  others  to  the  Zion  Association,  which  wtis  coii- 
stitnted  Oct.  29,  1835.  Before  the  constitution  of  the 
Zion  Association,  earl}-  in  1826,  there  were,  in  Missis- 
sippi, nine  associations,  with  a  membership  aggregat- 
4,287.  This  included  the  Buttahatchie,wliich  liad  more 
chapters  in  Alabama  than  in  this  State. 

The  constituting  convention,  composed  of  delegates 
"from  several  churches  composing  the  Zion  Associa- 
tion," met  at  Old  Shcmgalo  church,  Nov.  21,  1851,  to 
organize  the  new,  or  existing  Yazoo  Association.  The 
representation  in  this  bod}'  wasH.  Pittman,  A.  Woods, 
and  J.  E.  Palmer  of  Middleton  church;  W.  C.  Holmes, 
W.  K.  Sproles  and  Richard  Anderson,  of  Salem  church; 
W.  D.  Denton,  D.  Davis,  and  B.  F.  Lee,  of  County  Line 
church;  Z.  Blackinan,  J.  Russell,  and  I  sham  Lowre}^  of 
Old  Salem;  R.  S.  Arnett,  and  A.  Stovall,  of  Bethlehem; 
Chas.  Busse}'  and  Wm.  Maddox,  of  New  Salem;  Z.  Old- 
ham, S.  J.  Durham,  and  N.  Carter,  of  Shongalo  church; 
and  J.  J.  Tliompson,  A.  B.Rol)ertson,  and  John  Oldham, 
of  Ebenezer  church.  J.  R.  Lowrey  presented  the  letter 
of  petition  from  the  Greenw<)t)d  church. 

As  to  the  location  of  these  churches,  we  must  no- 
tice that  they  were  nearly  all  located  in  Holmes  and 
Carroll  counties.  C)ld  Middleton  was  about  two  miles 
west  of  Winona,  Shongalo,  a  half  mile  south  of 
Vaiden,  County  Line  was  abouts  five  miles  from  West 
Station,  near  the  road  to  Emory.  Old  Salem  Avas  a 
few  miles  west  of  Vaiden, on  the  Black  Hawk  road,  and 
New  Salem  about  three  miles  north  of  it.  Hays  Creek 
was  seven  miles  east  of  Middleton,  and  the  Greenwood 
church  where  the  town  of  Greenwood  now  is.  Bethle- 
hem was  in  Carroll  county,  and  Ebenezer  in  Holmes. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  75':? 

The  leadin<?  men  in  the  constitution  of  the  l)ody 
were  H.  Pittman,  W.  R.  Sproles,  J.  R.  Lowrey,  Charles 
Bussey,  Andrew  Woods,  and  Wilson  Hurt.  Henry 
Pittman  was  moderator  of  the  constituting  conven- 
tion, and  Andrew  Woods,  clerk.  Chas.  Bussey  was 
made  chairman  of  the  Executive  Board,  and  Wilson 
Hurt  was  the  author  of  the  resolution  providing  for  the 
constitution  ot  that  Board.  The  constitution  provided 
that  the  new  body  should  be  called  "The  Yazoo  Asso- 
ciation."' The  usual  articles  of  faith  and  rules  of  deco- 
rum were  adopted. 

The  first  anniversary  of  the  Yazoo  Association  was 
held  with  the  old  Salem  church  in  October,  1852.  Ben- 
jamin Hodges  was  elected  moderator,  A.  W'oods,  clerk^ 
Wm.  Maddox,  treasurer.  Five  churches  were  received 
into  the  union,  Black  Hawk,  Lexington,  Pleasant  Ridge, 
Palusha  Creek  andCarrollton.  These  additions  brought 
to  the  l)od\'  the  ability  of  svich  men  as  Hodges,  Rowe,. 
Wright,  Patterson,  Crowson,  and  P'urgerson. 

Early  in  the  meeting,  a  good  committee  was  ap- 
pointed on  Education.  In  its  report,  it  acknowledged 
the  necessity  for  an  enlightened  ministr}',  and  earnestly 
urged  upon  the  churches  the  claims  of  Alex.  C.  Caper- 
ton,  and  suggested  thjit  he  be  adopted  as  the  benefi- 
ciary of  the  Association.  .\  native  of  Alabama,  he  was 
brought  to  Mississippi  when  he  was  four  or  five  years 
old  by  his  pcircnts,  who  settled  in  Carroll  county.  In 
1S4-0,  his  jjarents  moved  to  Choctaw  county  ;  Ijut,  in 
184-7,  he  lived  with  his  "grandmother  Ca])ert()n"  on 
Palusha  Creek,  Carroll  county.  He  attended  the 
school  conducted  by  J.  R.  Lowrey  at  Salem  Church 
in  184-8,  and  in  LS49  he  was  at  the  classical  sch(K)l  at 
Richland  in  Holmes  countv.  He  was  in  1852  at  Mis- 
sissip])i   College.      The   statements   made  g<j  to   show 


754  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTSt 

that  the  young  Caperton  was  of  them,  and  that  they 
had  a  just  consideration  for  him  in  his  earnest  attempt 
to  fit  himself  for  usefulness  in  the  ministry. 

Committees  were  appointed  at  that  sitting  of  the 
body  on  Ministerial  Education,  the  Bible  Cause,  to 
District  the  Association,  Domestic  Missions,  Temper- 
ance, Foreign  Missions,  Methods  of  Instructing  the 
Colored  People,  and  Sunday  Schools. 

The  report  on  the  condition  of  the  churches  showed 
that  Middleton  had  received  61  by  baptism,  Bethlehem 
31,  and  Hays  Creek  39.  On  motion  of  T.  S.  Wright  a 
Tesolution  obtained  favor,  putting  them  in  line  with 
the  work  of  the  Baptist  State  Convention,  and  the 
Southern  Baptist  Convention.  A.  V.  Rowe  Sr.  offered 
a  resolution  commending  the  claims  of  Mississippi  Col- 
lege, and  J.  R.  Lowrey  called  for  a  special  speech  on 
Foreign  missions  by  the  moderator,  Benjamin  Hodges. 
Their  financial  statement  showed  contributed  to  For- 
eign missions  $34.65,  Domestic  missions  $58.60,  with 
a  Sabbath  collection  amounting  to  $44.00. 

Of  the  churches  received  in  1852,  we  notice  that 
the  Lexington  church  was  constituted  September  1, 
1846,  with  twenty-two  members.  Among  the  con- 
stituent members  were  Abner  V.  Rowe,  Daniel  W. 
Beall,  Nathan  B.  Hooker,  and  Thomas  S.  Wright.  The 
CarroUton  church  was  established  August  24,  1833, 
by  Shadrach  Baker  and  Joseph  Morris.  Black  Hawk 
was  organized  in  1846  by  Henry  Pittman  andJ.K. 
Clinton. 

The  session  of  1853  was  held  with  the  Sharon 
church.  This  good  old  church  was  established  on  Aug- 
ust 11,  1842,  the  meeting-house  being  on  the  land  of 
Richard  Sproles.  A  pleasing  sentiment  is  connected 
%vith  the  church,  as  it  was  named  in  memorv  of  the  old 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  ^  ^^^ 

"Sharon  church  in  North  CaroHna,  to  which  some  o* 
those  good  ])eoi:)le  Ijelonged  before  moving  to  Missis- 
sippi. It  is  the  church  that  authori/.ed  the  baptism  of 
Dr.  H.  F.  Sproles,  and  chose  to  ordain  him  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry.  At  that  sitting  of  the  body,  two 
■churches  were  received  into  tlje  union,  Emory  and  Har- 
land's  Creek. 

In  1853,  the  Yazoo  Association  did  the  wise  thing 
of  interesting  itself  in  a  male  and  female  school.  The 
close  student  of  history  cannot  but  observe  the  bene- 
ficial effect  of  a  good  school  fostered  by  an  associa- 
tion. Though  a  fostered  educational  institution  may 
he  of  short  life,  it  invariably  leaves  its  refining  touch 
and  its  broadening  effect.  By  a  kind  providence,  good 
school  property  in  the  town  of  Lexington  was  pos- 
sessed by  the  Association.  The  property  was  well 
situated,  the  building  was  commodious.  The  value  of 
the  school  property  was  estimated  at  $10,000.  The 
Ass{XMation  accepted  the  property  and  established  on 
it  a  female  academ\^-.  A  Board  of  twenty-seven  trus- 
tees was  appointed,  which  was  to  hold  an  annual 
meeting  at  the  time  and  ])lacc  of  the  commencement 
exercises  of  the  institution.  A.  W.  Chambliss,  an  ex- 
perienced educator,  was  to  preside  over  the  institution. 
In  their  report  on  temperance  were  two  or  three 
worthy  insertions:  "Public  sentiment  has  experienced 
a  very  material  change  upon  this  subject  during  the 
last  quarter  of  a  century.  *  *  *  Could  we  but  review 
the  doleful  catalogue  of  misery  and  wretchedness, which 
is  produced  by  this  detestable  vice  (Intemperance),  it 
would  l)e  sufficient  to  induce  the  whole  Christian  world 
to  invoke  the  aid  of  Almighty  God. 

Their  missionary  work  through  the  year  was  grati- 
f^dng  to  the  friends  of  missions.     Z.  Mc.Math  was  their 


756  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

associational  missionary  for  half  time.  His  labors  hacT 
been"sigiially  blessed."'  Harlands  Creek  church  had  been 
constituted  with  t\vent\'-three  members.  He  had  la- 
bored in  a  protracted  meeting  at  Acona,  where  forty- 
nine  had  been  added  to  the  church.  He  was  also  in  a 
meeting  at  Ebenezer  where  the  membership  of  the  church 
was  increased  by  sixt^^-seven  additions.  The  breaking 
out  of  small  pox  had  limited  the  scope  of  his  labors.  It 
was  thought  that  the  blacks  alone,  in  their  bounds, 
needed  a  missionary  for  all  his  time. 

The  name  of  Benjamin  Roach  appears  in  the  list  of 
delegates  from  the  Carrollton  church.  He  was  a  devout 
man  and  remarkable  for  his  strict  and  unfailing  attend- 
ance upon  church  services.  For  over  30  (thirty)  A-ears 
he  did  not  miss  a  conference  of  his  church.  The  writer 
used  to  call  on  him  at  his  store  in  Carrollton,  when 
Roach  was  in  the  feebleness  of  great  and  honorable  age. 
There  was  a  pathetic  tremour  in  his  voice  when  he 
would  lament  his  loss  of  sufficient  strength  to  perform 
his  accustomed  religious  duties. 

Their  third  anniversary  was  held  with  the  Acona 
church  in  Holmes  county,  beginning  Oct.  20,  1854. 
Benjamin  Hodges  was  elected  moderator,  Abner  V. 
Rovve,  clerk,  and  William  Maddox,  treasurer.  Mt.  Pis- 
gah,  Carroll  County,  and  Richland,  Holmes  County, 
were  received  into  the  union.  J.  G.  Hall  and  William 
Minter  were  recognized  from  the  Yalobusha  Associa- 
tion. They  were  great  and  useful  men  in  that  institu- 
tion. William  Minter  left  a  perfumed  memory  in  the 
Yalobusha  country,  andjas.  G.  Hall,  with  many  years 
of  usefulness  given  to  his  Lord,  was  a  victim  to  the  yel- 
low^  fever  scourge  of  1878.  William  M.  Farrar  was 
also  present  at  that  meeting — the  ever  faithful  and  ubi- 
buitous  agent  for  foreign  missions.     He  was  one  of  the 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  757 

most  wonderful  men  amoncj  Ba])tists  in  the  ^-ears  be- 
fore the  Civil  War.  John  A.  Linder  was  also  with 
them,  representing  the  Louisville  Association.  They 
Avere  to  see  more  of  him,  as  he  appeared  on  two  sides. 
Alas,  that  some  men,  who  can  make  themselves  useful 
for  awhile,  should  know  so  little  of  the  economy  of  hu- 
man influence. 

Attached  to  the  report  on  Ministerial  Education, 
were  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions: 

"'Wlwrei^is,  The  Mississi])pi  College,  at  Clinton,  con- 
templates the  education  of  3'oung  ministers,  and  wbere- 
as,  through  the  Mississippi  Ministerial  Educational  So- 
ciety, the  boiird  of  all  such  is  tendered,  therefore, 

Resolved,  that  we  urge  on  churches  to  call  out,  and 
encourage  young  gifts  among  them;   and. 

Resolved,  that  we  advise  all  such  young  gifts  to 
avail  themselves  of  the  advantages  proj^osed  by  said 
College.'* 

After  the  meeting  of  the  Vazoo  in  1853,  their  Col- 
lege Board  was  duly  organized  liy  the  election  of  Wra. 
Hodges  as  president,  A.  V.  Rowe,  secretary,,  and  James 
N.  McLean,  treasurer.  The  vSession  of  1852-4  closed 
Avith  eighty  pupils.  The  opening  of  the  second  session 
of  this  female  school  was  gratifying.  At  the  time  of 
the  meeting  of  the  Association,  they  had  116  pupils. 
But  there  was  a  perplexing  financial  problem  concern- 
ing them.  With  the  conveyance  of  the  property  to 
them  was  a  debt  of  $1,500.00,  and  an  understanding 
that  $5,4-60,00  was  to  l)e  raised  in  five  (5)  \'ears  to 
complete  their  l)uilding,  and  erect  others  that  necessity 
would  demand.  That  was  a  huge  undertaking  for  a 
young  and  struggling  association,  but  it  is  remarkable 
what  consecrated  piety  can  accomplish. 

That  year,  Elder  T.S.  Wright,  of   Lexington,  rode 


758  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

as  their  missioiiar_v.  He  labored  mostly-  with  the 
blacks.  He  had  baptized  47  of  them.  Attached  to  the 
report  of  the  Executive  Board,  we  find  this  resolution: 
''Resolved,  That  the  mission  to  the  blacks  is  of  vast 
importance,  and  should  be  sustained  by  all  means." 
The  committee  on  Finance  reported  the  amount  of 
$4-08.00  contributed  to  the  necessities  of  the  associa- 
tion and  objects  of  benevolence. 

Their  meeting  of  1855  was  with  the  Old  Middleton 
Church,  two  miles  west  of  Winona.  This  church  w-as 
organized  in  1837  under  the  labors  of  Joseph  Morris. 
He  was  pastor  of  the  church  unto  the  close  of  the  year 
1840.  During  that  time,  he  and  S.  S.  Lattimore  had  a 
great  meeting  at  that  place.  Soon  after  the  Civil  War 
the  organization  was  moved  to  Winona.  The  officers 
oi  the  association  of  the  previous  year  were  re-elected. 
Fourchurches  were  received,  the  Hebron  and  three  new- 
ly constituted  churches,  the  Oregon,  the  Yazoo,  and 
the  Sunflower. 

In  the  report  of  the  Executive  Committee  we  find 
that  they  had  emplo\'ed  that  year  two  missionaries,  Z. 
JVIcMath  and  W.  J.  Abbott;  McMath  at  a  salary  of 
$500.00,  and  Abbott  at  $250.00.  They  penetrated  the 
Yazoo  Delta  as  far  as  the  Sunflower  River,  and  consti- 
tuted two  churches  in  that  rich,  alluvial  country,  the 
Yazoo,  and  the  Sunflower  Churches.  The^-  l^aptized 
186  people,  and  organized  two  Sunday  Schools,  and 
two  teinperance  societies.  The  Executive  Board  was 
assisted  by  the  Domestic  Mission  Board  of  Marion, 
Alabama.  The  finance  committee  reported  total  re- 
ceipts as  $666.30. 

Before  the  sitting  of  the  Association  in  1855,  A.  W. 
Chambliss  had  resigned  the  presidency  of  their  college 
iit  Lexington.     He  was  brilliant,  but  a  wandering  star. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  759 

The  <j^o()(l  news  reached  the  Association  that  the  Board 
of  Trustees  of  the  Male  and  Female  Colletje,  that  grant- 
ed the  ]:)ro])erty  to  them  on  certain  conditions,  has  so 
far  modified  their  terms  of  transfer  as  to  release  the  As- 
sociation from  the  five  (5)  A^ear  condition,  and  make 
the  transfer  unconditional,  except  as  to  the  character 
of  the  school.  This  liberality  on  the  part  of  the  citi- 
zens of  Lexington  was  highly  appreciated,  and  the  ex- 
isting Board  of  Trustees  was  encouraged  to  undertake 
the  erection  of  a  Steward's  Hall  at  the  earliest  date 
possible. 

The  Association  was  orgiinized  in  1S51  with  ten 
churches;  in  1855,  it  had  21  churches,  and  atotal mem- 
bership of  1,967.  In  that  j'ear  the  body  had  in  it  the 
following  men,  who  have  since  gained  such  celebritv 
that  they  ai'e  known  over  the  State:  H.  Pittman,  T.  S. 
Wright,  J.  H.  Cochran,  A.  A.  Lomax  and  B.  Xall.  J. 
H.  Cochran  and  A.  A.  Lomax  were  licentiates.  The 
Yazoo  Association  got  in  a  wixy  of  producing  men  em- 
inent for  work,  and  yet  sustains  its  reputation.  At  the 
present  time,  of  that  association  are,  H.  F.  Sproles 
President  of  our  Convention  Board,  A.  V.  Rowe,  Cor- 
responding Secretary  of  the  Convention  Bojird,  T.J. 
Bailey,  editor  of  The  Baptist,  ovtr  denominational  State 
paper,  and  L.  S.  Foster,  long  a  pastor  in  that  associa- 
tion. Superintendent  pf  the  Mississippi  Baptist  Orphan- 
age, nor  has  the  association  exhausted  itself  in  tlit-lono- 
process  of  intense  seeding. 

In  1856,  the  trustees  of  their  female  college  arrang- 
ed for  the  ])urchase  of  what  was  known  as  "the  Mavo 
property,'  contiguous  to  the  college,  instead  of  erect- 
ing a  steward's  hall,  as  they  had  been  advised  bv  the 
association  to  do.  This  they  thought  best,  as  it  was 
convenient,  entirely  new,  and  i)roffcred  them  .'tt  a  price 


760  HISTORY     OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

much  l)elo\v  its  actual  cost,  on  the  instahiient  plan, 
Avhich  would  make  payments  easy.  Their  business 
sagacit\'  was  commended.  A.  S.  Bagley  was  the 
principal  of  the  school. 

On  JuW  16,  1857,  A.  S.  Bagley  resigned  his  position 
'of  chief  control  of  college  w^ork.  His  ability  was  recog- 
nized, but  his  management  of  the  affairs  of  the  institu- 
tion was  so  ])oor  that  the  trustees  politeh' bowed  him 
out  of  his  position.  Prof  D.  A.  Holman  was  elected  to, 
fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of  A.  S.  Bay- 
ley,  after  which  the  prospects  of  the  institution  began 
to  brighten.  The  following  year  it  was  agreed  that 
the  next  legislature  be  requested  to  so  alter  the  charter 
of  the  institution,  as  to  enable  the  Board  of  Trustees  to 
fill  all  vacancies,  and  have  supreme  power  over  the 
school,  so  as  to  run  its  affairs  according  to  their  wis- 
dom. T  .  S.  Wright  was  agent  for  the  school  for 
a  part  of  the  year,  and  succeeded  in  cancelling  the  debts 
Ihey  had  incurred.  The  Board  of  Trustees  at  the  time 
held  good  notes  in  favor  of  the  college,  amounting  to 
$4,000.00.  The  school  was  on  the  crest  wave  of  pros- 
perity. Dr.  A.  V.  Rowe,  Sr.,  was  Secretary  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees. 

In  1859,  the  trustees  of  their  school  put  no  report 
l)efore  the  association.  Moses  Granberry,  then  con- 
nected with  the  Yalobusha  Female  College  at  Grenada, 
was  with  the  body.  The  following  year  the  trustees 
reported  that  they  had  been  for  two  years  endeavoring 
to  collect  the  notes  drawn  in  favor  of  the  college, 
but  they  had  on  hand  only  about  $600.00.  Anotheir 
change  had  been  made  in  the  presidency  of  the  institu- 
tion in  the  fall  of  1858.  H.  Williams  was  at  that 
time  elected  President  of  the  College,  but  did  not  as- 
sume control  until  September   1859,  after  which  date, 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  761 

he  served  the  Board  only  five  months.  The  presiden- 
tial road  was  rough  and  difficult  of  footing. 

In  1861,  the  Central  Mississippi  Female  College 
was  such  in  fact,  it  was  conducted  b\'  a  number  of 
young  ladies.  The  boarding  house  was  nearing  com- 
pletion, to  the  general  gratification  of  the  friends 
of  the  institution.  In  1862-3-4  the  Civil  War 
had  absorbed  all  interest,  and  no  reports  were  made  on 
their  educational  project.  In  fact,  the  iron  hoof  of  war 
ground  the  life  out  of  their  cherished  institution  of 
learning.  It  has  been  deemed  best  to  give  the  educa- 
tional work  of  the  association  consecutive  considera- 
tion. The  associational  school  did  good  ^vork.  Dr. 
Abner  V.  Rowe  was  its  untiring  friend  and  advocate. 

We  will  now  resume  our  consideration  of  thedoings 
of  the  Yazoo  where  we  left  the  threadofaffairs,  at  1856. 
That  was  a  3'ear  of  pathetic  interest  in  their  missiona- 
ry work.  Their  indefatigable  missionary,  Z.  McMath, 
died  before  June  in  that  year.  His  blazing  zeal  for  the 
cause  he  loved  made  him  stay  too  long  in  the  Yazoo 
Delta,  and  he  gave  up  the  yoke  for  the  altar.  Failing 
to  secure  the  services  of  A.  Goss  in  the  place  of  the  la- 
mented AIcMath,  T.  S.  Wright  was  secured  for  the 
work,  tor  one-fourth  of  his  time.  He  worked  with  his 
accustomed  zeal.  J.  Robinson  was  the  Colporter  for 
the  body.  He  reported  great  demand  for  denomina- 
tional books,  and  easy  sale  for  The  Iron  Wheel  and  Or- 
chnrd's  History  • 

In  1857,  the  Yazoo  met  with  the  Hay's  Creek 
Church.  Henry  Pittman  was  elected  Moderator,  Jas. 
H.  Cochran,  Clerk,  and  Wm.  Maddox,  Treasurer.  Year 
by  year  William  Maddox  was  made  treasurer  from  the 
first  anniversary  to  the  above  date. 

At  that  time  they  had  on  hand  a  remnant  of  books, 


762  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

-which  were  not  marketable,  and  which  the  association 
ordei'cd  to  be  sold,  if  necessary,  to  the  highest  bidder.. 
The  Baptist  Book  and  Publication  Society,  of  New  Or- 
leans, \vas  seeking  to  become  the  book  emporium  o£ 
the  southwest,  and  was  giving-  inducements  to  colpor- 
ters  to  handle  fresh  books.  This  book  concern  was  re- 
commended to  the  churches  as  worth\'  of  patronage. 

The  spiritual  condition  of  the  churches  was  at  that 
time  without  glow  or  fervor.  But  the  missionary  work 
was  successful  and  baptisms  reported.  In  the  latter 
part  of  1856,  Gideon  Woodruff  Avas  their  missionary. 
During  the  associational  ^^ear,  he  traveled  3,553  miles, 
preached  113  sermons,  baptized  13,  and  collected  $78.- 
50.  The  finance  committee  reported  n  total  receipt  of 
$271.43.  (3f  course,  that  amount  was  only  what  pass- 
ed through  their  hands. 

In  1858,  the  Yazoo  met  with  the  Lexington  Church. 
Henry  Pittman  was  elected  Moderator,  Albert  B.  Har- 
ris, Clerk,  and  Wilson  R.  Sproles,  Treasurer.  When  the 
name  of  the  Ebenezer  Church  was  called,  and  the  letter 
presented,  the  grand  old  Yazoo  Avas  for  the  first  time 
face  to  face  with  a  great  trouble.  A  serious  variance 
had  arisen  between  the  members  of  that  church,  of  a 
nature  the  association  did  not  see  fit  to  spread  on  its 
minutes.  A  minority  of  the  Ebenezer  h^id  held  a  meet- 
ing and  dissolved  the  body.  Afterward  the  majority 
met,  and,  insisting  that  they  reprcsented  the  church, 
proceeded  to  elect  delegates  to  the  meeting  of  the  Asso- 
ciation. One  of  them  presented  the  annual  letter  of  the 
church  to  the  Association.  The  church  was  evidently 
in  disorder,  and  an  impartial  committee  was  raised  to 
investigate  the  matter. 

The  committee  reported  Saturday-  morning.  They 
recognized  the  gravity  of  the  situation,  but  sustained 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  765 

the  action  of  the  minority  in  (lissolviniJ;  tlie  church.  If 
their  report  should  l)e  received,  it  would  deny  seats  in 
the  body  to  the  delegates  of  the  Ebenezer  Church. 
Their  decision  was  sustained  by  a  vote  of  30  yeas  to  4 
nays.  Among  those  speaking  in  the  affirmative  were^ 
J.  T.  Freeman,  C.  C.  Lee,  J.  A.  Oliver,  and  A.  V.  Kowe. 

.\  solemn  protest  was  entered  against  this  decision 
ot  the  Association,  "barring  the  door  of  this  Associa- 
tion against  the  oldest  church  in  Holmes  Countv." 
Finally,  on  motion,  the  delegates  of  the  Ebenezer  were 
invited  to  seats  in  the  bo(h',  "together  with  the  minis- 
ters of  this  denomination.""  They  had  good  c()m])any, 
if  they  did  feel  bad. 

An  association  is  not  apt  to  do  much  in  such  confu- 
sion, but  the  Pelusha  X'alley  Church  was  received,  a 
church  on  the  verge  of  the  Yazoo  Delta.  The  Executive 
Board  that  year  had  B.  F.  Lee  employed  as  a  mission- 
ary, at  a  salary  of  $(300.00  a  year.  He  reported  that 
he  was  kept  out  of  "the  swamp"  by  high  water.  He 
had  ba])tized  19  persons.  He  received  $291.66.  Elder 
A.  Goss,  that  itinerating  mental  prodigy,  was  a  co-la- 
borer with  B.  F.  Lee.  The  treasurer  reported  $514.4'5 
received  for  ^dl  i)urposes  sustained  Iw  the  body. 

In  1859,  Henry  Pittman  was  too  unwell  to  attend 
the  Association.  A.  Woods  was  chosen  Moderator, 
W.J.  Freeman,  Treasurer,  and  A.  B.  Harris,  Clerk.  The 
Macedonia  Church  was  received  into  the  imion.  Mes- 
sengers were  appointed  to  the  General  Associ^ition  of 
North  Mississippi,  to  the  Southern  Baptist  Sunday 
School  Union,  and  to  the  Baptist  State  Convention. 
The  usual  reports  were  made  as  to  Order  of  Business, 
Foreign  missions,  Home  missions,  etc. 

But  <in  apathy  .seems  to  have  come  over  the  Associ- 
ation.    No  report  was  made  l)y  the  E.xecutive  Board  of 


764  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

i:he  year's  work.  The  report  on  Home  missions  read 
b^^  T.  S.  Wright  had  some  enthusiasm  in  it  on  the 
Avork  in  the  Delta,  but  there  was  not  any  immediate 
response  to  his  earnest  presentation  of  that  work. 

In  1860,  the  Mt.  Nebo  church  was  received  into 
the  Association.  This  good  old  church  is  about  eight 
miles  west  of  Winona.  It  had  for  several  3'ears  Dr.  J. 
T.  Zealy  as  pastor,  and  was  quite  fond  of  him.  Elder 
Joel  Baskin,  of  Clinton,  was  also  their  pastor  for 
awhile. 

That  session  of  the  Yazoo  was  honored  \vith  the 
presence  of  such  men  as  Moses  Granberr3%  A.  C.  Caper- 
ton,  Wm.  Minter  and  E.  L.  Compere.  Moses  Granber- 
r\'  was  representing  his  female  school  at  Grenada, 
which  was  a  splendid  success  at  the  time.  E.  L  Com- 
pere was  from  Arkansas.  He  was  most  cordially  re- 
ceived, and,  after  addressing  the  body  on  the  destitute 
condition  of  Baptists  in  Arkansas,  received  a  collection 
amounting  to  $172.20  for  Fort  Smith,  where  he  lived. 

The  Association  had  a  debt  that  had  accrued  for 
books.  What  should  be  done  to  liquidate  it?  Good 
pledges  were  taken  amounting  to  $142.00  to  obliterate 
it  at  once.  To  this  were  added  pledges  of  $407.00  for 
their  associational  work. 

The  Executive  Board  had  been  at  work.  They  had 
appointed  a  special  agent  to  procure  two  (2)  missiona- 
ries, one  for  the  Hills  and  one  for  the  Delta.  D.  A. 
Holman  was  emplo3'ed  to  labor  in  the  Hills  at  a  salary 
of  $400.00  a  year,  and  James  Marshall  to  labor 
in  the  Delta  at  a  salar\^  of  $50.00  a  month. 

In  1860,  there  were  23  churches  in  the  Association, 
Avith  an  aggregate  membership  of  1,643.  The  Old  Sa- 
lem Church  had  dissolved.  The  Middleton  Church  was 
the  largest  in  the  union,  having  a   membership  ot  211; 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  76S 

Shongalo  church  was  next  in  numbers,  having  an  en- 
rolhnent  of  147;  then  came  Lexington  church,  with  a 
membership  <)fl4-3;  the  Yazoo  church  was  the  small- 
est, having  only  18  members.  The  names  of  the  postof- 
iices  ofthe  churches  have,  now,  nearly  all  faded  from 
the  map  of  our  State.  Their  prominent  ministers  were: 
H.  Pittman,  T.  S.  Wright,  and  J.  II.  Cochran.  They 
have  all  gone  to  their  reward,  and  may  you  and  I,  my 
reader,  be  as  well  received  "at  the  beautiful  gate.'* 

Then  came  the  four  years  ofthe  Civil  War,  years  of 
anxiety,  of  hardships,  and  deprivations;  3^ears  that 
tried  the  endurance  of  our  peoijle.  They  were  years  of 
prayer  as  well,  i^raj^er  for  the  success  of  our  arms,  yet 
but  little  was  done  in  general  benevolence.  Associa- 
tions that  were  not  in  the  tracks  of  the  invading  foe 
attempted  to  hold  their  annual  meetings,  but  could  ac- 
c(miplish  little.  Those  who  bore  the  hardships  of  those- 
days  are  becoming  diminished  as  the  years  go  In',  and 
look  l^ack  on  those  trying  times  with  a  sad  remem- 
brance of  anxiety  and  losses. 

In  1S61,  the  Yazoo  Association  met  with  the  El3en- 
czer  church.  Holmes  County.  On  the  cover  of  the  copy 
ofthe  minutes  of  their  proceedings  of  that  3^ear,  which 
is  before  mc,  is,  //.  Pittman,  written  In'-  the  hand  of 
that  grand  old  man.  He  ])reserved  the  copy  through 
the  passing  years  as  an  article  of  historic  worth- 
Would  that  some  in  other  associations  had  been  as 
thoughtful  and  cai'eful.  Other  u.seful  ministers  in  the 
association  at  the  time  were:  C.  C.  Lee,  J.  T.  Freeman, 
Henry  Kay,  T.  S.  Wright,  J.  A.  Linder  and  J.  H.  Coch- 
ran. J.  T.  Freeman  was  pastor  of  Saron  and  Vaiden. 
The  old  Shongalo  church  had,  during  theassociational 
year,  been  moved  to  \'aiden. 

Earlv  in  their  meeting  of  ISTI,  this  resolution  was 


766  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

adoptetl:  Resolved,  That  this  Association  will  meet 
during  its  present  session  each  day,  at  8  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  spend  half  an  hour  in  prayer  for  our  beloved 
and  bleeding  country,  etc."  In  the  resolution  were 
combined  patriotism  and  prayer,  the  power  of  a  Christ- 
ian commonwealth. 

Moses  Granberry  was  present,  representing  official- 
ly, the  General  Convention  of  North  Mississippi,  but 
really,  the  Yalobusha  Female  College  at  Grenada.  He 
was  a  polished  gentleman,  and  a  fine  teacher. 

The  Executive  Board  was  baffled  in  its  work  by  an 
inability  to  secure  the  proper  men  for  missionary  work. 
J.J,  Adams  and  C.  C.  Lee  were  appointed,  the  former 
for  the  "Yazoo  Swamp,"  the  latter  for  the  "Hill  and 
Swamp  Mission;'"  but  the  services  of  neither  w^ere  ob- 
tained. Thus  the  matter  of  their  missions  at  home 
i-ested  until  the  meeting  of  1861.  The  missionary  work 
of  the  Delta  was  growing  only  in  their  estimation  of 
its  needs.  Onh'  the  two  churches  constituted  by  the 
lamented  McMath  had  been  organized  in  that  fertile, 
alluvial  countrv.  But  the  value  of  their  Delta  missions 
w^ill  lie  seen  in  the  history  of  Delta  Work.  It  was  re- 
commended that  efforts  be  increased  in  the  religious  in- 
struction of  the  negroes.  The  treasurer  reported  $387.- 
15  as  their  total  receipts. 

The  next  session  of  the  body  was  held  with  theYai- 
den  church,  beginning  Sept.  12,  1862.  As  the  meeting 
w^as  on  the  railroad,  the^-  had  present  some  distin- 
guished men  from  a  distance.  D.  E.  Burns  and  T.  J. 
Drane  were  welcomed  as  messengers  from  the  Central 
Association,  the  one,  golden-mouthed,  the  other,  a 
born  polemic.  E.  D.  Burns  was,  for  some  years,  the 
popular  pastor  of  the  church  at  Canton.  He  met  a  sad 
death  by  an  accident  in  Memphis,  Tenn.     T.  J.  Drane 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  767 

was  a  Kentuckian.  lie  was  tor  a  while  pastor  at 
I^atchez,  and  died  a  few  years  a^jo  in  Baton  Rou^^e, 
La.  E.  D.  Burns  jjreaclied  for  them  on  Sunday  at  1 1 
a.  m.  on  "Finished  Redemption,'"  after  which  a  collec- 
tion was  taken  for  the  benefit  of  an  aged  minister  of 
the  association —  Moses  Crowson,  the  gift  amonnt- 
ingto  $4-S.OO. 

The  Executive  Board  i\n-  the  associational  year 
held  its  first  meeting  at  Carrollton,  Sept.  28,  1861. 
The  money  collected  for  colportage  Wcis  loaned  to  T.  S. 
Wright,  as  a  means  of  safe  keeping  until  the  disturbed 
condition  of  our  country  could  become  calmer.  The 
Board  had  made  an  honest  endeavor  to  pay  out  the 
tnoney  for  books  already  purchased,  but  could  not  as- 
certain how  they  could  get  a  legal  receipt.  They  had  a 
nunil)er  of  books  on  hand,  placed  in  the  drugstore  of 
William  Young,  in  Lexington,  Miss.  A  missionary 
could  not  be  gotten  for  their  associational  work. 

We  can  not  refrain  frc^m  noticing  the  jjresence  of 
three  men  in  the  association  of  1862.  J.  W.Boze- 
man  was  there  as  a  representative  of  the  Richland 
church.  This  was  his  first  attendance  upon  the  meet- 
ing of  the  ]»ody.  He  was  then29yearsof  age,  of  strong" 
body  and  clear  mind,  and  giving  promise  of  a  useful 
career  as  a  minister.  He  was  as  modest  as  a  maiden, 
and  as  bold  as  a  lion.  He  was  devout  and  consecrat- 
ed, comi)anionable  and  magnetic. 

John  A.  Oliver  acted  as  one  of  the  tellers  of 
•the  election  of  officers.  He  is  perhaps  still  living.  His 
home  was  near  Coila  church.  He  had  uj)  to  that  time 
been  one  of  the  most  faithful  attendants  upon  the  meet- 
ings of  the  .\ssociation.  If  still  living,  he  may  be  spoken 
of  cis  a  thoughtful  man  and  a  fine  student.  He  is  a 
good  linguist,  and  is  thoroughly  familiar  with  the 
Oreek  kin<.ruaire. 


76S  HIvSTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Henry  Ray  was  a  native  of  Carroll  County, 
was  born  in  two  miles  of  Carrollton.  He  was  gradu- 
ated from  Georgetown  College,  Ky.,  about  1859.  He 
"^-as  married  to  a  Kentucky  lady,  and  returned  to  Ken- 
tucky in  1865  to  become  pastor  of  the  church  in  Bowl- 
ing Green.  Soon  after,  the  Lord  called  him  up  higher, 
and  the  world  mourned  his  loss.  He  was  a  gifted'young 
man,  of  pleasing  address,  and  most  acceptable  as  a 
preacher. 

The  session  of  1863  was  held  with  the  Mt.  Nebo 
church,  beginning  Sept.  12,  1863.  J.  A.  Hodges  was 
chosen  Moderator,  B.  Roach,  Clerk,andW.  J.Freeman^ 
Treasurer.  Many  of  the  churches  were  not  represent- 
ed. The  occurrences  of  the  cruel  war  were  absorbing 
the  attention  of  our  people.  The  reports  of  the  usual 
cominittees  was  a  perfunctory  work.  The  following 
resolution  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  by  the  Association,  that  the  recent  re- 
Yerses  our  armies  have  sustained,  and  the  manifold  suf- 
ferings \ve  have  sustained  during  the  present  war,  ad- 
monish us  that  we  are  under  the  displeasure  of  our 
God,  and  that,  as  a  nation,  and  as  individuals,  we  have 
greatW  sinned,  for  which  we  should  heartih^  repent: 
therefore,  all  our  churches  are  requested  to  observe  the 
fourth  Thursday  of  next  October,  as  a  day  of  fasting, 
humiliation,  and  prayer,  and  we  urge  upon  our  churches 
to  assemble  on  that  day,  at  their  usual  places  of  wor- 
ship, for  the  purpose  of  humbly  praAang  our  Heavenly 
Father  to  forgive  our  sins. 

The  name  of  R.  H.  Whitehead  appears  in  the  min- 
utes as  an  ordained  minister.  He  was  a  man  of  much 
UvSefulness.  He  was  bora  in  Carroll  county  in  1836, 
was  graduated  from  the  University  of  Mississippi,  was 
baptized  by  Elder  J.  J.  Sledge  in  1853,  and  was  ordain- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  TGQ* 

ed  in  1S62.  He  was  pastor  at  Oxford  tor  a  luiiiiher  of 
years,  and  labored  suceessftdly  in  other  parts  of  the 
State.     Later  he  moved  to  the  State  of  Florida. 

The  thirteenth  annual  meetin<>-  was  held  with  the 
Saron  Chureh,  beginning  Saturd^iy,  Oetober  10,  1864. 
It  was  a  feeble  foree  and  not  at  all  representative,  but. 
the  assoeiation  was  keeping  together.  J.  A.  Linder 
was  elected  Moderator,  J.  T.  Freeman,  Clerk,  and  W.. 
J.  Freeman,  Treasurer.  A  newly  constituted  church 
called  Bowling  Green  was  received  into  the  union. 
Neither  the  Yazoo,  nor  the  Sunflower  Church,  was  rep- 
resented. Their  long  cherished  mission  work  in  the 
swamp  had  no  church  left  to  speak  of  the  prayers  that 
had  been  offered  to  a  throne  of  grace,  and  the  monev" 
ex])ended  on  Swamj)  missions.  Had  the  consecrated^ 
lamented  AIcAIath  Uiljored  and  died  for  a  lost  cause? 
By  no  means.  What  the  Yazoo  Association  did  in  the 
Delta  was  onh-  seed  planting.  It  had  to  be  covered 
over  to  germinate. 

The  Executive  Board  had  C.  C.  Lee  to  visit 
the  destitute  portions  of  their  territory,  for  hiilf  his 
time,  for  three  months.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  he 
was  employed  for  half  time  for  nine  (9)  months,  for 
which  work  he  was  to  receive  $800.00.  He  baptized 
57,  and  constituted  one  church.  Five  (5)  of  their 
churches  were  without  pastors,  with  no  hope  of  being 
suiDjilicd. 

C.  C  Lee,  their  missionary,  was  hon\  in  Alabama, 
in  1828.  In  1841,  he  came  to  Jones  county,  Mississip- 
pi, and  in  1849,  he  was  in  school  at  Monticello.  He- 
preached  his  first  sermon  at  Big  Creek  church,  Jones, 
county,  in  1845.  He  waslicen.sed  to  preach  by  theLeat 
River  church,  .\.  Robertson  being  the  ])astor:  and  was-, 
called  to  oixlination  bv  the  HickorvGrove  church. Mad- 


770  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

sion  county,  Mississippi,  in  May  1851.  He  was  at  one 
time  pastor  of  the  Middleton  and  Shongalo  churches  of 
the  Yazoo  Association.  His  theolog\'  was  sometime  of 
a  (h)ubtful  cast,  but  he  was  a  faithful,  conservative 
minister  of  the  gospel.     He  hnalh'  moved  to  Texas. 

At  that  meeting   of  the  body  this  resolution  was 
•adopted: 

^'Resolved,  that  we  rejoice  in  the  movement  in  the 
Mississippi  Baptist  State  Convention  in  regard  to  the 
education  of  the  orphan  children  of  the  brave  s^oldiers 
who  have  fallen  in  the  defence  of  our  country:  and 
pledge  our  sympathy  and  support,  whenever  any  prac- 
tical plans  shall  have  been  adopted  for  that  purpose." 
In  1865,  there  were  twentA^-four  churches  in  the 
Yazoo  Association,  with  a  total  membership  of  1862. 
The  Sunflower  church  was  once  more  represented,  re- 
porting ten  members  received  during  the  year  by  bap- 
tism. Of  those  who  went  into  the  constitution  of  the 
body,  there  were  as  delegates  to  the  body  of  1865,  Wil- 
liam Maddox,  Z.  Oldham,  Z.  Blackman,  W.  R.  Sproles, 
^nd  H.  Pittman. 

The  Executive  Board  re-employed  C.  C.  Lee  to  ride 
^s  missionary.  R.  H,  Whithead  was  employed  as  mis-, 
sionary  to  Mississippi  soldiers,  and  D.  A.  Holman  to 
the  colored  people.  The  Vaiden  church  wished  instruc- 
tion as  to  the  course  to  be  pursued  with  the  colored 
people  after  the  war  was  over.  The  church  was  advised 
to  have  them  preached  to  separately,  and  that  they  be 
permitted  to  hold  seperate  conferences  for  the  transac- 
tion of  church  business  under  the  direction  of  the  pastor 
■of  the  church. 

A  ray  of  cheer  caine  from  the  old  Saron  church.  It 
Avas  reported  as  in  a  prosperous  and  healthy  condition. 
J.  H.  Cochran  was  pastor.    The  Sunday  School  had  in 


HISTORY     OK     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


771 


it  more  than  a  hundred  i)iipils.  W.  K.  S])r()les,  father 
of  Dr.  H.  F.  Sproles,  was  superintendent.  The  ehureh 
had  enjoyed  a  fine  revival,  in  which  twenty-one  mem- 
bers were  received  by  baptism,  the  majority  of  whom 
were  members  of  the  Sunday  School.  Seventeen  (17) 
of  the  addition^  were  youn":  men.  The  churches  of  the 
Association  received  an  aggregate  of  144  Iw  baptism 
'during  that  associational  year. 

In  1866,  the  Association  convened  with  the  Emory 
church.  C.  C.  Lee  was  elected  moderator,  T.  S.  Wright 
clerk,  and  B.  Roach  treasurer.  Two  items  of  business 
deserve  special  notice.  The  Christinn  W'atchmnn,  pub- 
lished in  Jackson,  Mississippi,  wascommended.  It  was 
a  struggling  ])aper  interest,  which  failed  to  get  a  hearty 
support,  or  extended  circulation  among  the  Baptists  of 
the  State.  The  other  item  is,  what  they  proposed  to  do 
with  the  Old  Middleton  church;  the  church  so  long  lead- 
ing the  sisterhood  of  churches  in  numbers  and  strength. 
They  proposed  to  aid  the  feeble  old  organization.  It 
was  losing  its  power,  its  name,  its  identity.  It  is 
said  that  the  Association  adjourned  1866 to"meet  with 
the  Middleton  Church  a  t  Winonn. . ' '  Today  not  a  house 
is  standing  where  the  thriftv  town  of  Middleton  once 
stood,  and  echoed  to  the  elotiuence  of  Morris  |and  Lat- 
timore. 

In  that  year,  A  Echols  was  recognized  as  a  visitor 
from  Alabama.  He  was  in  the  constituting  Conven- 
tion in  1851,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Association  in 
1852,  as  a  delegate  from  Middleton  church,  and 
preached  their  introducLory  sermon  that  year.  After  a 
lapse  of  fourteen  years,  he  is  with  the  Association 
again.  There  was  not  a  man  in  the  body  that  year 
who  stood  with  him  in  the  constitution  of  the  Associa- 
tion.    H.  Pittman  was  a  delegate  to  that  bodv,   but 


772  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

was  absent.     Echols  surely  felt  lonesome.     He  was  him- 
self eightA^-one  years  old.     He  had  outlived  three  wives^ 
and  two  ffenerations,  and   was   ripe  for  the   sickle   of 
time. 

In  the  associational  _vear  of  1866—67,  there  was  a 
spiritual  glow  in  man^^  of  their  churches.  Lexington,, 
Oregon,  New  Hope,  Pleasant  Ridge,  Saron  and  Har- 
land's  Creek  had  all  enjoyed  precious  revivals.  258 
members  were  added  to  the  churches  by  baptism. 
Missionary  work  had  l)een  done  bj-  Henry  Sproles  in 
the  swamp  field,  b\'  T.  S.  Wright  at  Goodman  and  at 
Harmony  church,  and  b3'  W.  H.  Dodson  in  the  scope  of 
their  territory. 

The  name  of  J.  T.  Freeman  is  not  in  the  list  of  their 
pastors,  still  their  ministry  was  strong.  Among  their 
preachers  were  J.  W.  Bozeman,  A.  H.  Booth,  Jas.  New- 
man, H.  Pittman.  J.  A.  Linder,  and  R.  H.  Whitehead. - 
At  the  Association,  added  to  this  strength  were  W.  H. 
Head  and  J.  R.  Graves. 

The  Association  saw  fit  to  speak  with  pleasure  of 
the  establishment  of  the  Southern  Publishing  House  at 
Memphis.  J.  R.  Graves  made  that  business  establish- 
ment popular  in  Mississippi  by  his  convincing  eloquence, 
but  alas !  for  the  men  who  put  their  mone^-  in  it.  As 
family  newspapers.  The  Baptist  of  Memphis,  The  Re- 
ligious Herald  of  Richmond,  Ya.,  and  the  Christian 
Watchman  of  Jackson,  Miss.,  were  recommended. 

The  following  year,  the  Executive  Board  had  W.H. 
Dodson  in  the  field  at  a  salary  of  $30.00  a  month  for 
three  months  of  his  time,  but  after  he  made  a  most 
favorable  report  of  work  done  his  salary  was  raised  to- 
$50.00  a  month. 

W.  H.  Dodson  was  born  in  Choctaw  county.  Miss... 
February  4,  1842.     He  was  baptized  by  J.  H.  Cochran 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  773 

in  1857,  and  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  ,£fos- 
pel  ministry  in  July,  1867.  He  was  pastor  for  a  while 
of  Oak  Grove  and  Emory  churches,  and  was  missionary 
in  the  Yazoo  .\ss()ciatic)n.  In  July,  1870,  he  went  to 
Texas,  and  was  for  a  numl:)er  of  years  the  accepta])le 
pastor  of  the  church  in  San  Antonio. 

In  1868,  the  churches  were  much  interested  in  Min- 
isterial Education.  H.  P.  Sproles,  honored  in  the  char- 
acter ot  his  father  and  of  ureat  ])ersonal  merit,  was  at 
the  Southern  Baptist  Theol(\<yical  Seminar}-  at  Green- 
ville, S.  C.  Their  committee  on  Ministerial  Education 
was  com|)osed  of  three  ti:()od  men,  W.  H.  M.  Durham, 
J,  H.  Cochran  and  Benjamin  Roach.  They  recom- 
mended the  Seminary.  Before  their  report  was  adopted 
it  was  mentioned  that  Henry  F.  Sproles  was  at  that 
•worthy  institution  of  lcarnin<.j-,  and  a  collection  taken 
to  aid  him  in  meeting  his  expenses.  The  \vriter  was 
once  told  by.  a  man  who  Avas  present  wdien  the  collec- 
tion was  taken,  that  he  sjave  fifty  cents  of  it,  which 
•was  all  the  money  he  had  with  him,  and  he  was  far 
from  home.  That  afternoon  he  was  suddenly  taken 
ill;  away  from  home  and  not  a  cent  to  bu\'  medicine. 
He  stopped  for  the  nisj^ht  with  a  man  who  thorouijfhly 
understood  his  illness,  who  <j;ave  him  medicine,  and  drd 
not  char<4e  him  a  cent  for  an\'  expenses.  He  reached 
home  perfectly  well,  and  said  that  of  all  the  monev  he 
ever  paid  out,  that  fifty  cents  had  <j^iven  him  the  most 
surprisin<^ly  pleasant  recollections. 

The  Association  of  1869  was  held  with  the  Alt. 
Nebo  church.  Henry  Pittman  was  chosen  moderator, 
J.  H.  Cochran  clerk,  and  Benjamin  Roach  treasurer. 
James  Nelson  was  at  the  meeting,  representing  the 
Board  of  Ministerial  Education  of  the  State  Conven- 
tion.    Noble  man  and  a  worthv  cause. 


774  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

At  that  meeting  of  the  l^ody  were  Mat.  Lj'on  and 
A.  V.  Rowe,  the  old  and  the  new  ministr\^  of  Missis- 
sippi, both  in  fine  presentation.  A.  Y.  Rowe  was  a 
promising  son  of  a  noble  sire. 

His  father  was  born  in  Orange  county,  Va.,  in  1813, 
was  graduated  from  Columbian  College,  Wa.shington, 
D.  C,  in  1833,  in  literature  and  medicine,  and  came  to 
Mississippi,  making  his  home  near  the  present  site  of 
Durant.  He  was  one  of  the  constituent  members  of  the 
Lexington  church,  and  an  untiring  friend  of  the  female 
college  at  Lexington,  and  the  Yazoo  Association.  His 
son,  who  now  carries  and  honors  his  full  name,  was 
baptized  when  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age,  began  to 
preach  when  he  reached  his  majority,  and  was  gradu- 
ated from  Mississippi  College  when  he  was  twenty-four. 
He,  has  risen  to  eminence,  not  onl^^  at  home,  but  has  a 
Southern  name,  and  .stands  abreast  the  times. 

Mat.  Lyon  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1812  of  hon- 
orable and  famous  parentage.  He  possessed  the  l3est 
natural  and  social  connections.  He  received  the  magic 
touch  of  Luther  Rice,Wm.  Dorsey,  Basil  Alanley,  R.  B.  C. 
Howell,  Lee  Compere,  and  Richard  Furman.  He  was 
first  a  printer,  then  a  lawyer,  then  a  preacher,  and  all 
the  while  personally  great.  The  Lord  preserves  the 
moulds  in  which  he  was  cast,  and  only  now  and  then 
uses  them,  wlien  he  needs  a  great  man  for  a  grand 
work. 

The  session  of  1870  was  held  with  theCoila  church. 
A.  H.  Booth  was  elected  moderator,  A.  Y.  Rowe  clerk, 
and  Benjamin  Roach  treasurer.  The  usual  committees 
w^ere  appointed  on  the  various  objects  of  benevolence 
fostered  by  the  Association,  and  collections  taken  for 
the  Orphan's  Home  at  Lauderdale  Springs,  for  Foreign 
missions  and  for  Ministerial  Education. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS,  77S 

The  rejiort  on  Ministcriril  Ivdiication  showed  that 
two  younij;  ministers,  members  of  churehes  of  the  body, 
were  at  Mississippi  College  the  last  collegiate  vear, 
H.  T.  Haddiek  and  A.  V.  Rowe;  and  W.  A.  McMath, 
of  Mount  Xel)o  church,  was  desirous  of  attending  the 
Theological  Seminary.  He  was  warmly  commended 
to  that  association  and  to  the  Yalobusha  as  worth v  of 
assistance. 

The  Executive  Board  had  the  grand  old  man,. 
Henry  Pittman,  as  missionary  in  the  field.  A  full 
statement  of  his  life  and  his  work  is  found  in  Foster's 
Mississippi  Baptist  Preachers.  The  missionary'  re- 
ported great  destitution  in  the  bounds  of  the  Associa- 
tion, especially  about  Goodman,  Richland,  and  along 
the  Yazoo  river.  All  the  swamp  country  Avas  Iving 
waste. 

It  was  resolved  in  1S70  that  the  Association  re- 
double its  efforts  in  the  Sunday  school  work  and  that 
it  be  made  the  duty  of  the  Executive  Committee  to  fos- 
ter and  forward  the  Sunday  school  interests.  These 
two  resolutions  were  the  beginning  of  Sunday  school 
work  in  earnest,  At  that  time  J.  P.  Brown,  one  of  the 
best  Sunday  school  workers  in  the  State,  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  church  at  West  Station. 

The  following  year.  H.  V.  S])roles,  chairman  of  the 
committee  on  Sunday  schools,  put  this  language  in  his 
report:  "We  hail  with  joy  the  organization  of  the 
Yazoo  Baptist  Sunday  school  Convention,  and  urge 
the  scho(^ls  to  send  delegates  to  its  meetings,  and  the 
churches  to  co-operate  with  it."  The  year  after,  it  was 
recommended  that  the  Sunday-  school  Board  of  the  As- 
sociation and  the  Executive  Board  unite  in  putting  a 
Sunday  school  evangelist  in  the  field. 

In  1.S73,  the  report  on  Sunda}^  schools  was  read  1)y^ 


776  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

J.  A.  Linder.  The  interest  was  on  the  deerease.  But 
in  the  schools  that  had  been  kept  ahve,  there  was 
an  increase  in  numbers  and  interest.  The  schools  were 
well  organized  and  doing  more  good.  The  next  year 
real  progress  had  been  made.  There  had  been  81  con- 
Aversions  in  the  Sunday  schools.  Only  seven  (7)  churches 
out  of  the  twenty-three  had  no  Sunday  schools.  Three 
institutes  had  been  held  through  the  ^^ear.  These  insti- 
tutes  were  doing  great  good  in  many  ways.  Thanks 
"were  extended  to  the  missionaries  of  the  Executive 
Board,  Rowe  and  Haddick,  for  their  earnest  labors  in 
behalf  of  this  interest. 

In  these  five  j'cars  the  moderators  were,  Henry 
Pittman  in  1871  and  1872;  M.  Lyon  in  1873:  R.  H. 
Whitehead  in  1874;  and  Henrv  Pittman  in  1875.  Their 
■clerks  were  A.  \.  Rowe,  in  1871  ;  J.  H.  Cochran  from 
1872  to  1875.  Their  treasurer  was  B.  Roach  from 
1871  to  1875. 

That  we  may  have  a  clear  conception  of  the  real 
:strength  of  the  Yazoo  in  1866,  the  beginning  of  its  in- 
tense activitA^  let  us  review  the  church  force.  It  was 
organized  in  1851  with  ten  churches;  in  1871  it  had 
twenty-three  churches  in  the  union.  Nine  churches  had 
"to  1871  lost  their  existence— Old  Salem,  County  Line, 
^Greenwood,  Palusha,  Palusha  Valley,  Ebenezer,  Hebron, 
Sunflower,  and  Yazoo.  The  Old  Salem,  County  Line, 
Greenwood  and  Palusha  did  not  exist  long  after  the 
■organization  of  the  Association  ;  Greenwood  excepted, 
other  churches  took  their  places.  Palusha  Valle3'  was 
last  on  the  list  of  churches  in  1885,  Hebron  in  1861, 
Sunflower  in  1865,  and  Yazoo  in  1866,  and  the  Eben- 
<^zer  in  1867. 

To  this  list  of  extinct  churches  was  added  the  Rich- 
land in  1871,     It,  having  become  feeble,  was  removed 

/ 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  777 

to  a  more  central  location,  and  called  the  Central 
Church.  Thus,  we  see,  that  to  1871,  there  had  ])een 
thirt\'-t\vo  churches  in  the  Yazoo  Association,  cind  that 
the  missin<4  names  in  the  list  of  churches  in  1871,  had 
been  only  ii  displacement  for  other  churches  better 
located,  except,  ])erhai)s,  the  Palusha  Valley,  Yazoo, 
Greenwood,  and  Sunflower.  Middleton  was  called 
Winona ;  and  Shonii:alo,  Vaiden.  The  23  churches  of 
1871  hiid  a  total  of  1,258  members. 

In  1871,  a  final  "leave-taken''  was  given  to  J.  H. 
Cochran,  who  contemplated  movin<(  to  Texas.  Pre- 
amble iind  resolution  were  adopted  as  to  his  departure. 
The  Association  spokeof  "  the  most  unfeigned sorro^v'^ 
as  to  its  loss.  Sometimes,  when  we  realize  how  we  are 
held  in  esteem  In-  a  jjeople,  we  change  our  minds  as  to 
leaving  them.  It  is  something  like  hearing  one's  fu- 
neral ]3reached,  but  there  is  something  pleasant  about 
it.    J.  H.  Cochran  did  not  go  to  Texas. 

In  1872,  two  newly  organized  churches  were  re- 
ceived into  the  union — Bethel  and  Ycizoo.  This  was 
the  second  Bethel  church,  and  the  third  Yazoo  church 
in  the  Y^azoo  Association. 

In  1874,  the  associational  gathering  was  notable 
for  the  presence  of  \.  D.  Brooks,  R.  A.  Cohron,  and 
E.  Smith,  two  (2)  of  them  apostles  of  the  Delta.  A.  D. 
Brooks  was  then  fired  with  zeal  for  the  Delta  work, 
jind  wiis  contributing  all  there  was  in  him,  traveling 
over  that  alluvial  land,  and  planting  churches  with  the 
rapidity  of  the  Apostle  Paul  in  Asia  Minor.  E.  Smith 
was  afterwards  his  Silas  in  labors  and  hardships. 
K.  A.  Cohron  was  in  a  few  years  to  walk  in  the  tracks 
of  Brooks,  and  develop  the  churches  in  schemes  of 
benevolence.  The  life  and  labors  of  E.  Smith  and  R.  A. 
Cohron  will  Ik-  given  in  the  historv  of  the  Delta  work. 


778  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Berry  Nail  died  June  8, 1865.  This  worth\^  l3rother 
was  born  in  1803  in  Clark  county,  Georgia.  In  1818, 
he  came  to  Lawrence  county,  Miss.,  and  at  the  age  of 
sixteen  ^^as  baptized  in  the  crystal  w^aters  of  Silver 
Ci'eek.   For  forty  years  he  was  a  minister  of  the  gospel. 

While  the  Yazoo  Association  asserted  itself  on  the 
evils  of  intemperance,  and  usually  had  reports  at  the 
annual  meetings  on  the  subject,  yet  it  is  true  that  at 
no  time  ^vas  an\^  great  enthusiasm  shown  on  the  sub- 
ject. In  1876,  a  good  report  was  presented  on  intem- 
perance b\^  H.  F.  Sproles.  The  report  recommended 
that  the  churches  should  not  permit  their  members  to 
sell  intoxicants  as  a  beverage,  that  church  members 
should  not  use  strong  drink,  especially  in  public  drink- 
ing shops,  and  that  the  churches  shovdd  not  retain 
drunkards  in  membership.  For  the  following  two 
years  no  report  was  presented  to  the  bod^^  on  the  sub- 
ject, and  the  year  after  the  same  recommendations  were 
made  as  in  1876. 

In  1880,  the  report  was  read  by  R.  E.  Melvin.  He 
suggested  that  social  drink  be  discountenanced,  the 
whisky  traffic  condemned,  and  signing  whisky  peti- 
tions disapproved.  In  1884.  it  was  strongly  urged  up- 
on the  members  of  the  body  that  they  labor  for  the  en- 
forcement of  all  existing  laws  against  the  whisky  traf- 
fic, especially  the  local  option  laws.  In  1885,  it  was  a 
matter  of  gratulation  that  prohibition  was  gaining 
ground  in  all  parts  of  the  country. 

Their  committee  on  pulilications,  in  1876,  recom- 
mended 777e  Baptist  to  their  reading  people,  and  ap- 
proved af  the  proposed  establishment  of  a  Baptist  pa- 
per in  Mississippi,  and  pledged  the  enterprise  prompt 
and  substantial  support.  In  1877,  and  ever  after 
through  the  decade,    The  Baptist  Record  was  heartily 


HISTORY    OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  779 

commended,  alon.u,"  with  the  Foreign  Mission  Journal 
and  Kind  Words.  The  Bible  was  recommended  above 
and  before  all  relij^ious  reading. 

The  subject  of  sustentatian  was  not  a,<iitated  until 
near  the  close  of  the  decade.  In  1SS4,  the  object  of  the 
Board  of  Sustentation  was  ex])lained  in  their  report, 
and  the  dutyimpressed  of  keeping  the  aged  ])reacher's 
and  their  families  above  want.  In  lcSS5,  the  report 
was  read  133-  T.  S.  Wright.  He  expressed  ]3leiisure  that 
there  was  no  superannuated  indigent  minister  in  the 
bounds  of  their  association,  but  said  they  had  within 
their  territory  a  Mrs.  Mathews,  the  relict  of  a  Baptist 
minister,  wdio  needed  assistance.  They  at  once  raised 
the  amount  of  $17.20  for  her  benctit. 

Their  interest  in  education  was  unvarying,  especi- 
ally ministerial  education.  In  1S76,  there  was  at  Alis- 
sissip])i  College  three  interesting  and  i^romising  young- 
ministers  from  their  association — Bailey,  Baskin,  and 
Hudson.  The  committee  appointed  the  year  before  to 
raise  a  fund  for  ministerial  education,  A.  V.  Kowe, 
chairman,  reported  collected,  the  sum  of  $108.25.  The 
next  year  they  gave  to  Mississippi  College  $117.80 
and  to  the  Seminary  $80.7;"). 

In  1878,  it  was  emphasized  that  their  young  min- 
isters should  get  the  benefits  offered  by  Mississippi 
College,  and,  if  ])ossible,  of  the  Southern  Ba])tist  Theo- 
logical Seminary  also.  The  soliciting  committee  had, 
in  a  year,  received  $98.78  for  this  cause.  The  year 
after,  the  contribution  (Iroi)pe(l  back  to  $57.80.  About 
the  same  interest  was  manifested  in  education  for  the 
next  two  years.  But  in  1882,  they  had  (ireen  Johnson 
at  Mississii)p  College,  and  the  Ixxly  was  exhorted  to 
adopt  him  as  their  l)enehciary.  whereu])()n  "try 
pledges''  were   made   at  once   amoiuiting   to   $14-2.00^ 


780  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

and  all  cash  on  hand  was  to  be  turned  over  to  Z.  T. 
Lea  veil,  the  financial  agent  of  the  college,  for  the  bene- 
fit of  Green  Johnson. 

The  efforts  in  Sunday  School  work  in  this  decade 
were  at  a  losing  rate.  In  1876,  their  Sunday  Schools 
Avere  in  a  flourishing  condition.  The  schools  were  in- 
terested in  Foreign  missions,  and  contributing  to  that 
cause.  The  schools  had  a  total  enrollment  of  481  pu- 
pils. The  next  _vear,  it  appeared  that  the  interest  was 
abating.  In  1875,  they  had  eighteen  schools  with  an 
enrollment  of  763,  and  in  1877,  only  425.  In  1879, 
they  had  405  pupils  and  12  Sunday  Schools,  nineteen 
churches  reporting  no  Sunday  Schools.  The  following 
3'ear  the  number  of  students  ran  up  to  450. 

In  1882,  the  interest  showed  well.  Sixteen  churches 
had  Sunday  Schools  with  a  total  of  672  attendants. 
In  1884,  there  was  the  same  number  of  schools,  but 
the  attendance  was  not  so  good  as  in  1882.  In  1885, 
there  was  a  general  decline  in  interest  in  the  Sunday 
School  work. 

Their  missionary  work,  between  1875  and  1885, 
showed  visible  progress.  In  1876,  T.  J.  Walne, 
then  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  State  Mission 
Board,  was  at  the  meeting  of  the  Yazoo  Association, 
and  realized  $250.15  in  cash  and  subscriptions  for 
State  missions.  That  year  H.  F.  Sproles  was  appoint- 
ed to  visit  the  Delta,  and  report  to  their  Executive 
Board  as  to  the  propriety  of  beginning  work  there. 
Their  Joshua  reported  that  they  should  go  over  and 
possess  the  country.  But  before  July,  1876,  the  State 
Board  had  commissioned  a  missionary,  and  sent  him 
into  that  field.  Their  Executive  Board  asked  the  State 
Board  to  double  its  torce,  and  appropriate  to  the  sec- 
ond missionarv  what  the  Yazoo  gave  to  State  missions. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  7<S1' 

In  the  tall  of  1876,  T.  J.  Bailey  bei^an  woi  k  under 
the  Executive  Boai"d  in  the  Delta.  His  strategic  points- 
were:  GreenNvood,  Geori^e's  Landing",  Shell  Mound, 
Boyd's,  McXutt,  and  Walnut.  He  attempted  to  nicike 
tlie  work  self-supporting.  The  Board  was,  at  the  end 
of  the  year,  due  him  $14-4-.60,  but  he  was  paid  in  full  at 
the  meeting"  of  the  association  in  1877.  The  lollowing 
year,  their  missionary  work  w'as  diminished  from  the 
lack  of  means. 

In  1879,  .v.  \'.  Kowe,  chairman  of  their  Executive 
Board,  said  thiit  nothing  had  1)een  received  for  State 
missions  by  the  Bocird;  but  the  report  on  tinancc  show- 
ed that  the  churches  had  sent  directly  to  State  missions 
$235.70.  After  that  year  the  Executive  Board  ceased 
to  make  reports  to  the   association  of  work  done. 

We  will  consider  their  receipts  for  missions  in  1880 
and  in  1884.  In  1880,  they  gave  $297.00  to  State 
missions  and  $250.00  to  Eoreign  missions.  In  1884, 
they  gave  onh^  $175.02  to  Foreign  missions  and$l()7.- 
32  to  SLate  missions,  but  they  gave  that  year  $187.82 
to  Home  missions,  $210.35  to  Mississip])i  College,  and 
$64.42  to  Ministerial  Education.  While  their  uona- 
tions  to  State  and  Foreign  missions  were  not  so  great, 
they  had  l)roa(lened  the  sco])e  of  their  lienevolence,  and 
had,  therefore,  made  a  visible  advancement. 

We  find  that  in  the  beginning  of  this  decade  a  num- 
l)er  of  churches  were  received  into  their  union.  In  1876, 
they  received  five  (5)  churches — Sidon,  Pine  Kidge, 
Bethany,  Center  Point,  and  Poplar  Springs,  and,  in 
1877,  the  Seven  Pines  Church.  They  then  had  32 
churches  in  the  union. 

In  1878,  they  recorded  the  Sc.d  death  of  Hiram  T. 
Haddick,  though  at  his  death  he  was  not  a  meml)cr  of 
that  association.     Upon  a  profession  of  his  laith  he  had 


78'2  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

been  received  for  baptism  and  taken  into  the  member- 
ship of  the  Harland's  Creek  Church  in  the  Yazoo  Asso- 
ciation, and  called  to  oraination  by  that  church.  They 
had  aided  him  in  securing  a  good  education,  and  he  had 
acted  as  missionary  cf  that  body.  He  was  a  victim  of 
the  3^eliow  fever  plague.  He  died  August  29,  1878,  in 
Grenada,  Miss.     He  was  a  brave,  true  Christian. 

In  1885,  they  lost  R.  L.  Allen.  He  was  educated  at 
Mississippi  College,  and  spent  his  ministerial  life  in  our 
State.  For  some  years  he  lived  at  Vaiden,  where  the 
writer  knew  him  in  his  home,  /vt  the  time  of  his  death 
he  was  fast  gro\ving  in  Christian  inanhood  and  in  use- 
fulness. 

Some  of  the  strong  men  who  came  to  the  front  in 
the  Yazoo  Association  in  this  decade  were:  T.  J.  Bailey, 
W.  C.  Lattimore,  R.  W.  Williamson,  George  Anderson 
(now  Judge),  R.  L.  Allen,  J.  T.  Ellis,  J.  T.  Zealy,  and 
W.  M.  Broadaway. 

In  this  period  their  moderators  w^ere  Henry  Pittman 
in  1876  and  1877,  R.  W.  Williamson  from  1878  to  1881, 
inclusive,  T.  S.  Wright  from  1882  to  1885.  Their  clerks 
were,  T.J.  Bailey  from  1876  to  1882,  George  Anderson 
from  1882  to  1885.  Their  treasurers  were,  Benjamin 
Roach  from  1 876  to  1884-,  inclusive,  and  J.  P.  Tackett 
in  "85. 

In  1886,  the  association  convened  with  the  Hay's 
Creek  Church,  one  of  the  oldest  churches  in  the  body. 
Henry  Pittmaii  was  elected  moderator  and  J.  P.  Tack- 
ett, treasurer.  There  was  a  tie  vote  for  clerk,  which 
demanded  the  vote  of  the  moderator,  which  he  cast  in 
favor  of  W.  H.  Farrrer.  The  Hickory  Grove  church 
was  received  into  the  union.  The  association  w^as  hap- 
p3'  to  have  at  the  annual  meeting  such  helpers  c^s  J.  P. 
Thompson,  of  the  Zion  Association,  A.  H.  Booth,  of 
the  Kosciusko,  and  vv .  S.  Webb,  ot  the  Central. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  788 

The  Ijody  put  itself  on  record  as  to  the  jirohihition 
■movement.  We  take  this  language  from  their  report 
on  that  subject:  "We  a])])r()ve  of  the  move  which  has 
been  made  in  our  State  to  introduce  text-books  on  pro- 
hibition, in  our  schools  and  colleges,  and  hope  our  State 
and  colleges  will  do  likewise." 

The  Executive  Board  was  not  doing  finy  mission- 
ary work,  but  had  Lewis  C.  Whitehead  doing  colport- 
a.ge  work.  He  did  excellent  service  for  several  years  in 
this  capacity.  His  eye  sight  was  very  deficient,  l)ut 
his  spiritual  sight  was  clear.  He  was  very  devout,  .nd 
did  his  work  for  the  goou  he  could  accomplish.  He 
looked  very  lonesome  as  he  would  ride  along  his  way 
on  his  pony,  with  his  large  saddle  bags  so  full  of  books 
that  they  stood  out  almost  horizontal.  But  he  lacked 
much  of  bemg  lonesome.  He  came  cis  near  walking  dai- 
ly with  God  as  a.iv  one  in  the  State. 

On  September  24,  1SS6,  Z.  BUickman  died.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  constituting  convention  of  the  Vazoo 
Association  in  1S51.  and  was  usually  in  the  meetings 
of  the  liody.  He  was  an  impulsive  man,  and  varying 
in  his  disposition,  but  one  in  whom  all  had  confidence. 
When  the  da}'  of  his  death  came,  he  was  as  the  bending 
head  (^t  the  golden  grain  that  invites  the  sickle. 

Their  session  of  1887  was  held  with  the  Winona 
Church.  The  moderator  and  treasurer  were  re-elected 
and  T.  J.  Bailey  elected  clerk.  The  Evergreen  and  the 
Sidon  Churches  were  received  into  the  associotion. 

They  seemed  to  l)e  distressed  about  their  Sunday 
Schools.  The  year  before  they  had  33  churches  in  their 
organization,  and  had  reported  only  14-  Sundaj^ 
Schools,  with  a  total  of  586  members.  That  year  they 
claimed  at  their  organization  the  same  number  of 
churches,  but  two  schools  less  than  the  vear before.     L. 


784  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

C.  Whitehead  rode  that  3'ear  2,400  miles,  and  sold 
books  worth  $434.40.  Tneir  financial  statement  shows 
that  the  churches  paid  on  pastors'  salary  an  aggregate 
of  $4,273.25;  to  Convention  Board  $872.25,  and  a 
grand  total  for  all  objects  of  $5,281.25.  The  financial 
statement  of  the  following  year  showed  a  gratifying  in- 
crease in  their  benevolence.  The  churches  gave  to  pas- 
tors' salar^^  $4,520.50.  to  the  Convention  Board, 
$1,148.75;  and  to  all  objects,  $6,927.60,  an  increase  of 
$1,646.45. 

For  the  next  two  years  there  was  no  change  as  to 
the  officers  of  the  association,  except  that  A.  V.  Rowe 
was  elected  moderator  instead  of  H.  Pittman.  In  1889 
they  met  in  Pickens,  and  in  1890  in  Lexington. 

In  their  proceedings  of  1889,  we  will  notice  two 
items 'under  the  head  of  education.  One  is  that,  at 
that  time,  the  association  had  four  young  ministers  at 
Mississippi  College— Green  C.  Johnson,  J.  F.  Parkinson, 
W.  E.  Ellis  and  W.  F.  Yarliorough.  They  have  all  been 
graduated  from  the  school,  and  are  now  filling  their 
days  with  usefulness.  J.  F.  Parkinson  has  a  fine  school 
of  high  order  at  Lena,  Leake  county;  Green  C.  Johnson 
is  a  pastor  in  Meridian;  W.  E.  Ellis  is  pastor  at  Sena- 
tobia,  and  W.  F.  Yarborough  is  the  pastor  of  the  First 
Baptist  Church  of  Jackson,  Miss. 

The  other  item  is  this  preamble  and  resolution: 

''Whereas,  There  is  a  Baptist  College  within  our  as- 
sociation territory,  located  at  Carrollton,  under  the 
presidency  of  Rev.  Z.  T.  Leavell,  and  equipped  for  thor- 
ough work:  therefore, 

Resolved,  that  the  churches  composing  our  Asso- 
ciation give  to  Bro.  Leavell's  school  hearty  support 
and  patronage." 

In  1889,    the    churches    gave    to    pastors'    salary 


HISTORY     OF     MLSSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  785 

$4,641.00:  to  the  Convention  Board  $1,256.20,  and  a 
grand  total  to  all  objects  of  $6,775.80.  The  ne.xt  year 
thej^  gave  to  i)ast()rs"salar\'  $4,738.00;  to  the  Conven- 
tion Board,  $1,232.60,  and  to  all  objects,  $6,822.90. 
These  financial  statements  show  a  healthy-  growth, 
and  a  gradual,  perceptilile  increase  in  benevolence. 

The  fortieth  annual  session  of  the  Yazoo  Associa- 
tion was  held  with  Mission  church,  Montgomery 
county,  commencing  Octo])er  1,  1891.  A.  V.  Rowe 
was  re-elected  moderator,  T.  J.  Bailey  clerk,  and  J.  P. 
Tackett  treasurer.  Thirty-six  (36)  churches  were  in 
the  union.  The  Kilmichael  and  Pleasant  Grove 
churches  were  received,  which  made  the  total  number 
of  churches  thirty-eight.  Tlie  Central  Association  was 
represented  b^-  H.  F.  Sproles  and  Joel  Baskin:  A.  H. 
Booth  was  present  from  the  Kosciusko  Association;  J. 
T.  Christian  represented  the  Convention  Board,  and  S. 
AI.  Ellis  the  Board  of  Ministerial  Education. 

This  was  the  year  of  the  Centennial  of  Modern  Mis- 
sions. The  F'oreign  Mission  Board  proposed  to  signal- 
ize the  year  by  sending  100  ne\v  missionaries  into  for- 
eign fields.  It  was  proposed  that  the  Vazoo  Associa- 
tion adopt  and  support  one  of  the  100  missionaries. 
This  woidd  re(|uire  the  giving  of  $1,000  by  thirty-six 
churches,  or  an  average  of  $28.50  from  each  church. 
Each  church  was  reciuested  to  hold  a  si)ecial  service  in 
this  interest.  The  Association  was  then  strong  in 
numbers,  in  ability,  and  in  determination. 

The  report  on  State  missions  read  by  L.  8.  I'oster 
declared  it  "em])hatically  our  work,"  and  should  be 
supported  "liberally  and  grandly."  The  fields  were  in- 
viting: were  white  unto  the  harvest,  and  there  was  an 
abs(jlute  demand  for  the  enlargement  of  the  work. 

Great  interest   was  taken  l)v  the  Ijodv  in  Woman's: 


786  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Work.  J,  T.  Zealy,  in  his  report  on  this  subject,  re- 
ferred to  the  work  done  In^  Mrs.  M.  J.  Nelson  and  Mrs. 
AdeHa  M.  HiUman,  in  true  words  and  classical  lan- 
guage. He  expressed  the  wish  that  soon  all  their 
churches  would  have  Woman's  Missionary  Societies. 
Mrs.  Alice  Booth  Drane,  Vice-President  of  the  Central 
Committee  for  the  Association,  reported  $448.05  as 
the  annual  contribution  of  the  women  of  the  Associ- 
ation. 

A  resolution  was  adopted  endorsing  the  action  of 
the  Trustees  of  Mississippi  College  in  their  choice  of  R. 
A.  A'enaljle  as  President,  in  the  place  of  W.  S.  Webb, 
Avho  had  resigned  its  presidenc3'.  R.  A.  Yenable  was  at 
the  meeting  of  the  body.  This  action  of  the  Associa- 
tion is  worthy  of  notice,  not  only  because  the  college 
was  in  the  throws  of  many  material  changes,  but  as  it 
showed  that  this  association  had  an  interest  in,  and  an 
intelligent  apprehension  of  the  work  of,  that  institution 
of  learning. 

The  work  done  by  Lewis  C.  Whitehead  in  colport- 
age  recommended  this  benevolence  to  their  favorable 
consideration.  The  Executive  Board  deemed  it  wise  to 
keep  a  colporter  in  the  field. 

The  session  of  1892  convened  with  the  Goodman 
Church.  Tliree  churches  were  received  into  the  union — 
Greenwood,  County  Line,  and  Centreville,  which  in- 
creased the  number  of  churches  to  41.  The  aggregate 
membership  of  the  churches  was  2,586.  The  moderat- 
or and  clerk  were  re-elected,  and  G.  W.  Toombs  was 
chosen  treasurer. 

In  the  report  made  on  Foreign  missions  by  E.  E. 
Thornton,  then  jjastor  at  Lexington,  two  valuable  sug- 
gestions were  made:  That  tracts  be  extensively  distrib- 
uted "setting  forth  the  extent,  success,  and  needs  of  the 


HISTORY     OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  787 

work  in  our  foreign  fields,""  and  that  "the  ministers  of 
the  Association  inform  themselves  more  thoroui^^hly 
with  reference  to  this  work."' 

Their  report  on  Publications  was  placid.  Though 
The  Baptist  Layman  was  issued  from  Winona,  by  a 
noble  courtesy,  The  Southern  Baptist  Record  was 
awarded  the  first  place  in  their  recommendations  of  re- 
ligious journals.  Our  Home  Field  and  The  Foreign 
Mission  Journal  were  also  commended. 

Ministerial  Education  received  more  than  usual  no- 
tice. W.  A.  Hurt  presented  the  report  on  the  subject. 
He  noticed  that  only  $34.30  had  been  credited  to  the 
Association,  but  was  satisfied  that  more  than  this 
amount  had  been  paid  in  on  the  subscription  of  the 
previous  year.  It  was  suggested  that  as  the  work  of 
Ministerial  Education  was  then  separate  from  the 
Avork  of  the  Convention  Board,  that  contributions  be 
sent  to  S.  M.  Ellis,  of  Clinton.  A  light  running  collec- 
tion was  then  taken  for  this  object  in  one  dollar  sub- 
scriptions and  payments,  in  which  the  writer  had  the 
cajiacit}'  to  engage.  The  Southern  Baptist  Theological 
Seminary  was  also  heartily  commended  as  a  potent  fac- 
tor in  Ministerial  Education. 

In  1JS75,  their  enthusiasm  in  this  work  was  increas- 
ing. The  number  of  Sunday  School  -workers  was  in* 
creasing.  There  were  five  mission  Sunday  Schools  with- 
in their  bounds.  They  had  the  Sunday  School  idea. 
Sunday  School  can  only  be  kept  on  an  ecjual  standing 
with  the  other  interests  of  an  association  133'  the  pro- 
motion of  the  conventions,  where  the  workers  come  into 
elbow  touch,  and  feel  the  benevolent  effect  of  a  conta- 
gious enthusiasm  in  the  promotion  of  Bible  study. 

There  was  remarkable  unanimnity  of  sentiment  in 
those  days  as  to   the   Orphans*   Home   at   Lauderdale 


788  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Springs.  In  1871,  it  was  in  the  Yazoo  Association  rec- 
ommended to  ever3^  lover  of  "the  lost  cause,"  and  the 
orphanage  paper,  The  Orphans'  Home  Banner,  heartily 
commended.  The  following  year  it  was  insisted  upcm 
that  the"Home"be  kept  under  Baptist  control,  and  not 
turned  over  to  the  Masonic  fraternity.  In  1873,  ten 
churches  in  the  Association  gave  $175.15  to  the' '  Home. ' ' 
The  next  year  the  body  gave  only  $55.40  to  this  cause, 
twelve  (12)  churches  doing  nothing  toward  the  benev- 
olence. The  year  after  the  Convention  could  but  tell  of 
the  closing  of  the  doors  of  that  institution  established 
for  the  protection  of  the  children  of  Confederate  sol- 
diers. 

Their  missionary  sentiment  was  graduall^^  grow- 
ing. T.  vS.  Wright,  in  his  repoi't  on  Domestic  missions 
in  1871,  said:  "We  rejoice  to  know  that  we  have 
had  last  year  an  efficient  missionary  in  the  field.''  The 
Executive  Board  re]3orted  his  work,  and  urged  the  As- 
sociation to  take  steps  to  siipph^  their  destitution. 
The  following  year,  every  ])astor  in  the  Association 
was  exhorted  to  preach  before  his  jjeople  on  the  subject 
of  F9reign  missions.  The  Executive  Board  had  H.  W. 
Portwood  as  missionary  for  full  time  at  a  salar\^  of 
$1,000.00  a  year.  He  traveled  1,860  miles,  preached 
•LOO  sermons,  and  assisted  in  the  ordination  of  one  min- 
ister and  two  deacons.  But  at  the  end  of  the  yearthe}^ 
owed  him,  after  he  had  donated  part  of  his  salary,  the 
round  sum  of  $347.10. 

Portwood  was  a  South  Carolinian.  He  was  for 
awhile  a  student  in  the  UniversitA^  of  Alabama.  He 
professed  religion  in  Alabama  and  joined  the  Mt.  Zion 
church  about  six  miles  east  of  Columbus,  Mississippi. 
He  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry  in  Oc- 
tober, 1843.     He  was  fnissionary  for  two  years  in  the 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  789 

Louisville  Association,  and  gave  the  Central  Associa- 
tion four  years  oflike  service, and  was  missionary  for  the 
Yazoo  Association  in  the  counties  of  Leflore,  Holmes 
and  Carroll.  To  1889,  he  had  Ijaptized  about  2,000 
persons.  He  was  about  eighty-six  years  old  when  he 
died,  which  event  occurred  near  Kosciusko,  Mississippi. 

In  1873,  there  was  a  short  report  made  by  the  Ex- 
ecutive Board,  but  a  long  one  on  Domestic  missions.  It 
spoke  of  the  appointment  of  the  old  State  Mission  Board 
of  the  State  Convention,  then  domiciled  at  Hazlehurst, 
and  of  their  approval  of  the  action.  The  Correspond- 
ing Secretary  of  the  Board  was  cordially  invited  to  visit 
their  churches  for  the  purpose  of  interesting  them  in 
this  work,  and  the  Executive  Board  was  rec[uested  to 
co-operate  with  the  State  Mission  Board.  The  treas- 
urer's report  showed  $28.00  collected  for  Foreign  mis- 
sions, and  $20.00  for  Domestic  missions. 

In  1874,  Rowe  and  Haddick  were  in  the  field  asmis- 
sionaries.  The  Spring  was  marred  with  inclement 
weather,  and  the  two  young  missionaries  did  not  get 
to  work  until  the  first  of  Alay.  A.  V.  Rowe  had  a  good 
meeting  at  Goodman,  and  a  church  was  constituted  at 
that  place.  Haddick's  work  is  not  reported,  but  he  la- 
bored through  that  associational  year  to  full  satisfac- 
tion. 292  persons  were  added  to  their  churches  that 
year.  The  order  of  business  was  suspended  to  enable 
them  to  offer  the  thanks  of  every  heart  to  the  redeem- 
ing God  for  his  blessings.  The  treasurer's  report 
showed  $917.35  as  the  gross  receipts  of  the  session. 
Truly  the  grand  old  body  was  moving  up,  and  was  in- 
stinct with  spiritural  life,  and  enjoving  the  presence  of 
God. 

In  1875,  the  rejjort  made  by  .\.  V.  Rowe  on  Domes- 
tic missions  was  full  of  tacts.    G.  \V.  Dalbv  had  been 


790  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

their  missionary,  but  on  account  of  the  stringency  of 
the  times,  and  the  care  of  his  churches,  he  was  compelled 
to  resign.  •  The  pastors  had  been  doing  work  with  fav- 
orable results.  But  it  was  said,  "the  fields  lie  inviting- 
ly l^efore  us.''  The  attention  of  the  State  Board  was 
directed  to  the  "swamp  work.'"  Be  it  said  to  the  praise 
of  the  Yazoo  Association  that  they  had  worked  faith- 
fully in  their  portion  of  the  swamp.  They  \vere  grow- 
ing despondent,  but  God  saw  what  they  were  doing 
better  than  their  eyes  could  behold  it. 

The  interest  the  Yazoo  Association  had  in  educa- 
tion was  likewise  increased  during  these  four  3'ears.    In 

In  1871,  the  churches  were  urged  to  do  all  they 
could  for  Ministerial  Education,  and  Mississippi  Col- 
lege was  a  joy  to  them.  $194.90  was  the  amount  in 
cash  and  pledges  they  gave  to  Mississippi  College.  The 
following  year,  the  action  of  the  State  Convention,  au- 
thorizing the  college  authorities  to  raise  $100,000.00 
endowment  fund  was  indorsed,  and  the  churches  urged 
to  aid  in  this  work.  $95.50  was  pledged  to  Ministerial 
Education. 

In  1873  reference  was  made  to  the  great  work  un- 
dertaken by  James  Nelson,  the  Lord's  consecrated  fire- 
brand, and  the  body  urged  to  make  immediate  eflfort 
to  meet  the  wants  of  young  ministers  preparing  them- 
selves for  their  life's  work.  The  next  two  years  are 
closeh'  connected  in  their  educational  enterprise.  H. 
F.  Sproles  read  the  report  in  1875,  and  gave  it  point 
and  pith  by  recommending  that  A.  V.  Rowe  be  appoint- 
ed to  solicit  contributions  to  ministerial  education. 
Here  is  the  substance  of  his  report  the  following  year: 
Contributed  to  Ministerial  Education  by  Carrollton, 
$10.00;  Durant  $10.00;  Goodman  $22.50;  Harland's 
Creek  $19.00:  Lexington  $20.00;   Saron  $4.00.    Total 


HISTOKY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  791 

$97.50.  Besides  this,  collected  by  James  Xclson  at 
Goodman  $65.00;  at  Lexington  $1S5.00,  making  a 
grand  total  of  $347.50. 

The  report  on  Woman's  Work  was  read  by  Z.  T. 
Leavell.  In  it  he  said,  "What  Mississippi  Baptist  wo- 
men wish,  is  to  do  good.  If  we  interpret  them  rightly, 
they  seek  the  glory  of  the  Master.  We  heartily  com- 
mend their  work  and  express  our  delight  at  what  has 
been  done  by  the  women  of  our  association."'  Mrs. 
Alice  Booth  Drane  was  still  Vicc-Pre.sident  of  the  Cen- 
trcil  committee  of  Woman's  Work  in  the  association. 
She  \vas  able  to  present  reports  from  only  three  socie- 
ties of  the  churches  of  the  association — Winonji,  Car- 
rollton,  and  Goodman. 

At  that  date,  the  ([uestion  of  the  removal  of  Missis^- 
sippi  College  to  Meridian  was  all  al)sorbing.  The  State 
Convention  had  decided  to  move  the  college  to  Meri- 
dian, and  the  Yazoo  Association  was  content  to  abide 
by  that  decision.  But  at  an  unguarded  moment  the 
mooted  question  was  sprung  before  the  ])od\'.  Joel 
Baskin  represented  the  "non-removalists"  in  a  good, 
clear  speech,  and  carried  his  point  In-  a  majority  vote, 
but  when  the  body  reclaimed  its  head,  the  vote  was  re- 
scinded, and  the  records  cleansed  ofthe  proceedings. 

The  forty-second  (4-2)  annual  session  was  held  with 
the  Ebenezer  Church,  beginning  September  2S,  1S93. 
A.  V.  Kowe,  the  moderator  of  the i)rcvious session,  was 
then  Corresi)onding  Secretarj-  of  the  Conventi<ui  Board. 
T.  J.  Bailey  was  elected  moderator,  W.  E.  Ellis  clerk, 
and  George  Cowsert  treasurer.  The  Camden  Church 
was  received  into  the  body. 

Henry  F.  Sproles  was  among  the  visitors  at 
this  meeting,  and  felt  sufficiently  at  home  to  offer  a  res- 
olution on  the  Sundav  School  work.     In  the  resolution 


792  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

it  was  recommended  that  their  Sunday-  Schools  give 
$100.00  toward  a  State  Smiday  School  evangelist,  and 
that  W.  T.  Matthews  be  appointed  to  raise  the  amount 
in  the  Sunday  Schools  of  the  churches  of  the  associa- 
tion. In  their  report  on  this  sul)ject,  the  information 
was  given  that  the  Convention  Board  had  just  begun 
to  look  after  this  work,  and  had  appointed  B.  N.  Hatch 
as  a  Sunday  School  Evangelist. 

Pending  the  discussion  of  the  report  on  Temper- 
ance, E.  E.  Thornton  presented  the  following  resolu- 
tion: 

''Resolved,  That  we,  the  representatives  of  2,580 
Christians,  assembled  in  council,  known  as  the  Yazoo 
Baptist  Association,  do  herelw  declare  ourselves  against 
the  liquor  traffic  as  licensed  by  our  government;  and 
we  urge  the  use  of  all  legitimate  means  to  prohibit  the 
sale  and  use  of  all  intoxicating  liquors  within  the 
bounds  of  this  association,  within  the  States  and  Ter- 
ritories of  our  great  government,  and  to  accomplish 
this,  we  pledge  our  suffrage  against  all  men  and  meas- 
ures that  favor  a  continuation  of  the  licensed  traffic." 

The  committee  on  Obituaries  had  to  report  the 
deaths  of  twent3''-four  of  the  members  of  their  churches 
during  the  associational  year.  Fourteen  of  their 
churches  were  in  mourning  over  the  loss  of  faithful 
members,  and  all  the  churches  grieved  to  hear  of  the 
death  of  A.  H.  Booth,  T.  S.  Wright,  Mrs.  R.  A.  Cohron. 
The  life's  work  of  A.  H.  Booth  has  been  noticed  in  the 
history'  of  the  Kosciusko  Association.  Mrs.  R.  A.  Coh- 
ron was  a  woman  of  unusual  ability,  and  remarkable 
for  her  piety  and  consecration.  She  was  a  chaste  writ- 
er. Her  biograph}^  should  have  been  preserved  as  good 
reading  for  the  girls  of  our  State. 

The     life's  work     of  T.     S.   Wright    is     given    in 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  793 

Foster's  Mississippi  Bnptist  Preachers.  But  it  remains 
for  the  historian  to  sa_v  that  the  history  of  the  Yazoo 
Association  is  clearh'  linked  with  the  name  of  T.  S. 
Wright.  He  was  not  in  the  constitution  of  the  Ijody, 
but  was  in  the  association  in  its  pioneer  work.  He 
was  its  missionary,  its  educational  evangelist,  and  its 
moderator.  He  was  instrumental,  under  God,  in  the 
conversion  of  T.  J.  Baile3',  and  was  the  sympathetic 
spiritual  adviser  of  H.  F.  Sproles,  A.  V.  Rowe,  and 
others  in  their  earh'  ministry.  To  take  his  work  out  of 
forty  3'ears  of  the  history  of  the  Yazoo  Association 
would  be  as  drawing  threads  of  the  warp  out  of  the 
woof  of  well  woven  cloth. 

At  that  session,  the  need  of  a  better  system  of  be- 
nevolence was  recognized.  It  was  resolved  to  give  the 
first  quarter  of  the  associational  year  to  State  mis- 
sions; the  second,  to  Foreign  missions;  the  third,  to 
Home  Missions;  and  the  fourth,  to  Ministerial  Educa- 
tion and  Mississippi  College. 

The  session  of  1895  was  held  with  the  Salem  church. 
The  officers  of  the  previous  session  w^ere  re-elected. 
There  were  then  forty-two  (42)  churches  in  the  body, 
l)ut  four  of  them  were  not  represented  b^^  delegates,  or 
letter,  in  the  bod\\  A.  V.  Rowe  was  with  them,  repre- 
senting the  Convention  Board;  B.  N.  Hatch,  as  Sunday 
School  evangelist;  H.  M.  Long,  representing  The  Bap- 
tist Record;  C.  L.  Lewis,  agent  for  the  College,  and  J. 
P.  Hickman,  from  the  Harmon^'  Association. 

The  presence  of  B.  N.  Hatch  was  very  beneficial  to 
the  Sunday  School  interest.  He  was  endorsed  as  Sun- 
day School  Evangelist,  and  pending  the  discussion  ot 
the  report  on  Sunday  Schools,  a  collection  was  taken 
for  this  work  amounting  to  $39.40.  Twenty-three 
(23)   churches  reported  Sunday  Schools,  with  a  total 


794  HISTORY     OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

attendance  of  1369.  Over  the  previous  year  there  was 
an  increase  of  officers  and  teachers  of  thirty -five  (35) 
and  of  pupils  359. 

The  Association  gave  that  year  to  Foreign  missions 
$189.30,  to  Home  Alissions  $70.25,  to  State  missions 
$256.85,  and  to  all  objects  $7,316.76. 

In  1895,  the  Yazoo  Association  received  Antioch, 
Duck  Hill  and  Headquarters  churches,  which  made  an 
enrollment  of  fortj'-three  churches,  with  an  aggregate 
membership  ot  2,731.  The  meeting  was  held  with  the 
Coila  church. 

J.  T.  Ellis  read  the  report  on  the  spiritual  condi- 
tion of  the  churches,  which  he  declared  very  encourag- 
ing. The  churches  had  received  that  year  238  b^^  bap- 
tism. There  was  nothing  to  disturb  their  peace,  and 
they  were  beginning  to  learn  that  "to  receive,  we  must 
give,  and  to  accumulate,  we  must  scatter,"  and  that 
their  strength  was  in  God. 

Under  the  head  of  missions  we  notice  that  the  Asso- 
ciation resolved  to  raise  $500.00  for  State  missions 
that  conventional  3'ear.  They  gave  that  year  to  For- 
eign missions  $249.61.  The  Woman's  Missionary  So- 
cieties reported  $816.90  for  all  purposes  as  the  first  re- 
port and  a  final  report  of  $1,397.80.  The  apportion- 
ment to  the  Association  of  $300.00  to  Foreign  missions 
Avas  cheerfully  accepted. 

The  fort^'-fifth  annual  session  of  the  body  was  held 
with  the  Durant  church,  beginning  October  1, 1896.  T. 
J.  BaiW  was  again  elected  moderator  and  W.  E.  Ellis 
clerk,  with  R.  D.  West  as  treasurer.  The  Association 
had  in  it  twenty -four  ordained  ministers,  and  six  licen- 
tiates. Among  them  were  such  promising  young 
preachers  as  A.  C.  Ball,  G.B.  Butler,  W.  E.  Ellis,'H.  P. 
Hurt,  S.  W.  Sproles,  Powell  Trotter,  and  Gay  Ander- 
son. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  795 

The  rejiort  on  Sunday  Schools  showed  that  nineteen 
churches  had  Sunday  Schools,  with  an  aggregate  at- 
tendance of  922.  There  were  thirty-seven  churches  in 
the  union,  with  a  reported  membership  of  2,097.  About 
half  the  churches  reported  Sunday  Schools  whose  at- 
tendiince  was  not  ecjual  to  half  the  memlDership  of  the 
churches.  It  is  supposable  that  this  is  scarcely  a  fair 
exhibit,  as  some  of  the  chui'ches  did  not  really  report 
their  Sunday  Schools.  Thus  a  historian  is  baffled,  and 
the  student  of  historv^  unable  to  learn  what  our  people 
are  d()ing,because  Baptist  independence  sometime  drops 
its  seed  before  fruit  can  be  announced.  The  following 
year  a  Sunday  School  Convention  was  organized. 

The  session  of  1897  was  not  held  until  about  the 
first  of  December  on  account  of  the  presence  of  yellow 
fever  in  the  State.  That  A-ear  it  appeared  first  in  our 
State  at  Ocean  Springs,  from  which  place  it  was  un- 
knowingly carried  to  Edwards,  and  finalh'  it  appeared 
in  Clinton. 

Because  of  the  presence  of  this  dreaded  jilague  in  our 
loved  State,  and  the  consequent  consternation,  the 
meeting  of  the  Yazoo  Association  that  year  was  little 
more  than  a  form.  Nineteen  of  the  churches  were  not 
rejjresented  in  the  bod\'  by  delegates  or  letter.  Just  how 
much  the  fever'  should  agitate  a  people,  and  the  rela- 
tive duty  of  man  to  man  in  such  a  plague,  is  a  matter 
for  the  judgment  of  each  individual.  While  it  has  Ijeen 
the  habit  of  the  writer  to  remain  in  his  town,  while  the 
yellow  fever  has  raged,  yet  he  has  not  been  disposed  to 
chide  anyone  for  making  himself  secure  from  the  proba- 
ble fatal  effects. 


796  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

STRONG    RIVER   ASSOCIATION. 

The  Pearl  River  Association  was  so  called  because 
the  churches  that  went  into  its  constitution  were  along 
Pearl  River.  Strong  River  was  in  the  territory  of  the 
Strong  River  Association  when  it  was  formed,  and  it  is 
possible  that  this  was  a  reason  wh^^  it  was  so  named. 

The  Dry  Creek  church  was  on  the  northern  bounda- 
ry of  the  bod3^;  the  Mt.  Zion  on  the  southeast;  and  the 
Hopewell,  west  of  Pearl  River,  and  the  Galilee  consti- 
tuted the  western  limitation.  This  Association  was 
situated  in  the  extreme  northern  neck  of  the  long  leaf 
yellow  pine  region.  Its  territor3'  was  flanked  on  the 
east  by  the  variable  lands,  which  are  interspersed  with 
prairie  barrens  and  Sandy  pine  hills.  The  Central  prai- 
rie region  juts  down  from  a  short  distance  south  of 
Brandon  to  the  confluence  of  Steens  Creek  and  Pearl 
River,  but  west  and  south  of  the  limits  of  the  Strong 
River  Association,  the  long  leaf  pine  countrj'  is  uninter- 
upted. 

"When  this  Association  was  constituted  the  people 
of  Dry  Creek  got  their  mail  at  Brandon,  the  members  of 
the  Galilee  church  had  their  postoffice  at  Georgetown, 
the  members  of  Hebron  went  out  of  thecountA^to  West- 
ville  to  get  their  letters.  But  inconveniences  are  some- 
times not  to  be  deplored.  Our  best  men  are  not  reared 
where  all  the  angles  are  chiseled  off  the  surface  of  af- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  797 

fairs.  Our  country's  great  men, as  a  rule,  wrestled  with 
adversity  in  their  youth.  The  people  in  the  territory  of 
the  Strong  River  are  noted  for  their  thrift  and  strong 
personality.  They  are  used  to  labor,  physically  and 
mentally,  they  follow  the  direction  of  their  own  minds. 
They  are  not  coddled  into  inertness,  nor  accustomed  to 
servile  subijiission  to  presumptions  arrogance. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  I*earl  River,  which  convened 
with  old  Bethany  church,  Lawrence  county,  on  Satur- 
day before  the  second  Lord's  day  in  September,  1852, 
certain  churches  petitioned  for  letters  of  dismission  from 
the  bod3'.  The  recjuest  was  granted,  and  the  Associa-  ^ 
tion  called  a  convention  of  the  churches  to  form  a  new 
body,  the  convention  to  be  at  Hebron  church,  July  30, 
1853.  The  Pearl  River  was  then  composed  of  thirty- 
seven  churches.  It  could  send  out  seventeen  churches, 
and  still  be  a  strong  body,  comjiosed  of  twenty 
churches. 

Of  the  seventeen  churches  that  went  into  the  con- 
vention, the  Hel>ron  church  went  into  the  I*earl  River 
in  1821,  the  Copiah,  in  1823,the  Galilee,  in  1828.  and 
Hopewell,  Steens  Creek,  and  Strong  River  in  1831.  The 
relation  of  these  churches  to  the  Pearl  River  Association 
had  been  long  and  pleasant,  and  their  going  out  peace- 
able. 

It  was  resolved  by  the  Convention  to  meet  again 
on  Saturda}'-  before  the  second  Sunday  in  October,  1853, 
to  organize  an  association.  A  committee  of  four  was 
raised  to  draft  Articles  of  Faith  and  Rules  of  Decorum 
for  the  body.  The  committee  consisted  of  James  Mur- 
ray, Lsaac  Bush,  Lewis  Howell,  and  Styron  Brunson. 
James  Murray  and  Cader  Price  were  asked  to  secure  the 
aid  of  the  Pearl  River  Association  in  the  organization 
of  the  new  institution.  Cadcr  Price  w£is  made  chair- 
man of  the  Convention,  .'tnd  L.  B.  Walker  secrctarv. 


798  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  hopeful  delegates  of  the  churches  met  at  Pales- 
tine church,  October  8,  1853,  "pursuant  to  previous 
appointment.''  Afterthe  names  of  the  churches  wishing 
to  go  into  the  new  organization  had  been  called,  and 
the  names  of  the  delegates  enrolled,  it  was  agreed  to 
form  the  new  Association.  The  Articles  of  Faith  and 
Rules  of  Decorum  ot  the  Pearl  River  were  adopted  as 
satisfactory,  as  a  working  basis.  S.  B.  Mullins  was 
'chosen  to  preside,  L.  B.  Walker  was  clerk,  and  William 
T.  Standifer  was  chairman.  After  the  organization 
had  been  perfected,  the  Mountain  Hill  church,  Simpson 
county,  was  received  into  the  body.  On  motion,  it  was 
decided  to  correspond  with  the  Ebenezer,  Mt.  Pisgah, 
and  Pearl  River  Associations. 

The  new  Association  was  thus  formed,  and  ready 
lor  work.  Dry  Creek  church  was  chosen  as  the  place 
for  the  next  annual  meeting.  The  churches  composing 
the  body  were  Bethlehem,  Copiah,  Dry  Creek,  Hope- 
well, Hebron,  Mt.  Zion,  Macedonia,  Galilee,  Mountain 
Creek,  New  Zion,  Palestine,  Pleasant  Hill,vSteens  Creek, 
Strong  River,  Sardis,  Zion  Hill,  and  Mountain  Hill.  The 
prominent  ministers  of  the  body  were,  Cader  Price, 
G.  H.  Barrett,  James  Murray-,  W.  Tolar,  and  S.  G.  Mul- 
lins. The  churches  composing  the  body  had  a  total 
membership  of  823 .  We  shall  watch  the  progress  of  the 
Strong  River  Association  with  miich  interest. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  bod^',  a  resolution  was 
adopted  as  follows: 

''Resolved,  that  this  Association  form  herself  into  a 
missionary  body."  The  churches  had  sent  up  $72.50 
for  associational  uses,  and  58.20  for  missions.  At  the 
close  of  the  morning  service  on  Sunday,  the  sum  of 
$38.40  was  raised  for  missionary-  purposes  in  the 
bounds  of  the  Association.     A  missionarv  board  was 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  799 

appointed  consisting  of  E.  Barron,  M.  Murray,  J.  Deer, 
W.  B.  Chandler,  J.  Smith,  EHas  E.  Steen,  K.  D.  Middle- 
ton,  J.  \V.  Standifer,  E.  B.  Trajdor,  S.  Brinson,  Jno. 
Gu3'nes,  and  George  GuA'nes.  W.  B.  Chandler  was 
made  president  of  the  Board,  and  E.  E.  Steen,  secretary. 
S.  B.  Mullins  was  appointed  associational  missionary. 

This  careful  and  minute  statement  offacts  is  that  the 
reader  may  be  impressed  with  the  idea  thiit  this  organ- 
ization was,  in  its  incipieney,a  missionary  body.  These 
founders  of  the  Association  stood  flat-footed  on  the 
Lord's  commission.  The  names  of  the  members  of 
the  IMissionar3'  Board  are  given  that  it  might  be  seen 
that  the  l)od3'  had  a  number  of  strong  men  outside  of 
the  pulpit,  and  that  their  names  might  be  seen.  They 
were  noble  men, and  have  left  their  posterity  the  legacy 
of  a  worthy  name. 

The  second  meeting  of  the  body  was  ijresided  over 
b}'  Samuel  B.  Mullins.  Elias  E.  Steen  was  clerk,  and 
Robert  Bridges,  treasurer.  The  Antioch  church,  Rankin 
count3',  was  received  into  the  union.  The  Association 
was  happ3'  in  its  youthful  existence.  A  revival  spirit 
was  in  their  churclies,  giving  l)uovancy  and  hope,  and 
bearing  its  rich  fruitcige  of  missionary  endeavor. 

The  membership  of  the  Association  had  been  in- 
creased from  82o  to  1,175  since  the  last  meeting.  The 
missionary'  fund  had  rcciched  the  sum  of  $150.55, 
$36.09  ,of  the  amount  lor  Indium  missions.  Work 
among  the  Indians  at  the  time  was  the  chief  attraction 
of  Southern  missions.  Cader  Price  presented  a  long 
report  on  Indian  missions,  in  which  it  was  said  that 
Indian  missions  ^vas  of  ])aramount  importance  to 
American  ^people,  inasmuch  as  the  whites  occupied  the 
country  formerly  theirs,  and  because  the^'  were  begging 
for  the  gospel,  and  have  no  one  else  to  whom  to  look 


800  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

for  help.  The  report  recounted  the  fact  that  the  Ameri- 
can Indian  Mission  Company'  had  twent^^-five  mission- 
aries zealoush^  at  work  among  the  Indians,  and  that, 
in  a  few  years,  more  than  2,000  hg,d  become  Christians. 
The  principal  item  of  business  before  them  that 
year  was  the  constitution  of  the  General  Association 
of  Southeast  Mississippi.  The  destitution  in  that  sec- 
tion was  appalling  to  the  clear-eyed  observer.  The 
Pearl  Leaf  had  been  organized  in  the  territor^^,  but  had 
died  from  the  lack  of  a  missionary  spirit,  and  a  broad 
expanse  of  territor\^  was  lying  waste.  The  Mount  Pis- 
gah  having  in  it  some  men  of  great  common  sense,  and 
possessed  of  large  missionary  spirit,  was  leading  in  the 
effort  to  occupy  that  field  of  labor.  The  Strong  River 
agreed  to  send  delegates  to  a  convention  that  was  to 
meet  at  Bethel  church,  Newton  county,  on  Saturday 
before  the  fourth  Sunday  in  September  of  that  ^-ear  to 
consider  the  propriety  of  forming  several  associations, 
a  general  body  to  occupj'^  the  field  for  the  Lord  by  vig- 
orous, combined  Christian  effort.  So  patent  was  the 
situation  that  the  Strong  River  decided  that  should  the 
effort  at  combination  of  forces  pro\-e  al^ortive,  that  the 
Missionary  Board  be  instructed  to  employ  a  "mission- 
ary preacher"  and  send  him  into  Southeast  Mississippi. 
The  field  was  white  unto  the  harvest,  and  the  reaper 
must  go  forth  or  much  ^vould  be  lost.  The  Committee 
on  Education  \vas  ablaze  with  zeal.  That  committee 
brought  to  light  the  fact  that  there  were  several  young 
ministers  in  their  bounds  who  had  not  sufficient  educa- 
tion to  make  them  efficient  in  the  discharge  of  their 
duties.  The  recommendation  was  made  that  money 
be  raised  to  send  one  or  more  of  these  young  ministers 
to  school.  We  shall  see  that  this  l)ody  was  not  asleep 
as  to  Ministerial  Education,  but  at  some  times  per- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI    BAPTISTS.  801 

mitted  tliL-  cause  to  overshadow  all  other  benevolences 
outside  of  the  local  church  interests. 

In  1SS5,  a  church  known  as  Clear  Creek  church,  a 
new  church,  was  received,  and  also  White  Oak  church. 
Smith  county,  from  the  Mount  PisL^ah  Association. 
They,  after  a  year's  thought  and  prayer  decided  not  to 
go  into  the  General  Association.  It  is  stated  that  the 
subject  was  deliberately  considered,  but  no  reason  is 
given  for  the  decision.  In  those  days  there  was  much 
destitution  in  the  bounds  of  each  association,  and  co- 
operation ^vas  i"efused  lest  their  territory  should  be 
considered  of  less  importance  than  it  deserved.  While 
tlie  .Association  was  bidding  adieu  to  the  call,  there 
was  another  suitor  at  the  door  with  hat  in  hand  ready 
with  a  courtesy.  It  ^vas  resolved  that  J.  K.  Doss  be 
appointed  a  correspondent  to  the  Baptist  State  Con- 
vention. The  oldest  churches  of  the  Association  had 
long  affiliated  with  their  brethren  of  the  west.  Their 
old  association  came  out  of  the  Mississippi  association. 
So  did -the  Union,  and  the  Central  came  out  of  the 
Union,     Religiously,  they  were  all  of  one  blood. 

Their  missionary  board  sadly  confessed  that  noth- 
ing had  been  done  during  the  year  in  their  missionary 
cause,  as  a  suital)le  man  could  not  be  had  as  missiona- 
ry. I'erha])s  such  a  man  could  have  been  had  if  they 
had  kept  their  eyes  on  their  field  and  ])rayed  the  Lord 
of  the  harvest  for  laborers. 

The  presence  of  E.  C.  Eager,  R.  11.  Brumby, 
I.  .\.  Urner,  and  Dr.  M.  W.  Phillips  at  the  association 
of  1856  was  rather  significant.  They  were  represent- 
ing Mississipi)i  College  and  "the  female  institute  at 
Clinton,*'  and  were  most  agreeably  and  cordially  re- 
ceived. The  name  of  Dr.  W.  L.  Balfour  appeared  first 
in  the  list  of  the  trustees  of  the  College. 


802  HISTORY     OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  association  of  1856  indulged  itself  with  a  de- 
liverance on  the  temperance  question.  Here  is  their 
resolution: 

Resolved,  that,  whereas  it  is  rumored  that  there 
are  members  of  Baptist  churches  who  retail  ardent  spir- 
its, which  we  regard  as  a  very  great  evil,  that  we  ear- 
nestly recommend  the  churches  composing  this  body, 
to  discountenance,  in  all  reasonable  ways,  both  the  use 
and  traffic  of  intoxicating  drinks."  In  those  days  the 
merchants,  especially  the  grocers,  sold  whisky  as  other 
commodities,  or  kept  it  on  hand  to  give  to  their  cus- 
tomers. The  sale  of  ardent  spirits  was  at  loose  ends, 
but  intoxicants  would  rob  men  of  their  reason  then 
just  as  now,  and  convert  a  c[uiet  citizen  into  a  howding 
Comanchee.  It  is  a  source  of  devout  thankfulness, 
that  in  those  days  of  loose  views  as  to  the  dram  shops, 
that  the  Baptist  associations  with  one  accord  denounc- 
ed the  accursed  drink  habit. 

In  the  spring  of  1856,  they  suffered  i\  great  loss  in 
the  death  of  Samuel  B.  Mullins.  He  died  in  the  forty- 
sixth  year  of  his  age.  He  was  a  good  man,  and  in 
great  favor  with  the  body.  He  was  the  hrst  moderat- 
or of  the  association,  and  also  in  the  second.  In  the 
fall  of  1855,  he  was  not  able  to  attend  the  meeting  of 
the  body,  and  died  April  11,  1856.  He  represented  the 
Sardis  church  in  the  Pearl  River  in  1844.  This  is  the 
hrst  mention  of  him  in  written  history.  He  was  then 
a  licentiat'e,  and  his  postoffice  w^as  at  Gallatin.  He 
Avas  ordained  to  preach  the  latter  part  of  1844.  In 
1845  he  was  made  chairman  of  the  committee  on  fi- 
nance, and,  in  1846,  wrote  the  letter  of  correspondence 
for  the  Pearl  River  to  the  Mississippi.  He  was  elected 
clerk  of  the  Pearl  River  in  1847,  1849,  and  1853. 
About  a  month  after  the  last  date,  the  Strong  River 
was  organized. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  803 

The  year  1S57  was  a  year  of  decline  in  the  associa- 
tion. Three  churches  reported  the  number  of  acces- 
sions aggregating  53,  several  had  small  accessions,  and 
some  reported  a  falling  off  in  meml)ership.  Such  years 
will  come,  but  what  was  a  consequence?  The  mission- 
ar3'  board  bemoaned  the  smallness  of  their  funds.  They 
had  only  $70.00  in  the  treasury,  which  was  not  a  suffi- 
cient amount  to  project  a  commendal^le  work.  The 
board  was,  figuratively  speaking,  in  sack  cloth  and 
ashes.  They  appealed  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Board  of 
Missions  of  the  General  Association  for  co-operation 
and  help.  The  missionar3'  board  decided  on  that 
course  of  action,  and  turned  their  faces  to  the  east  with 
their  prayer  for  help,  "to  which  we  never  got  an}--  re- 
pl3' — so  here  the  matter  stopped.'"  How  weak  and 
Avandering  is  a  Ba])tist  Avhen  he  has  no  vital  godliness! 
If  he  turns  his  face  to  the  skies,  the  heavens  seem  a 
sheeting  of  brass;  if  he  holds  out  his  hands  imploringly 
to  nien,  no  kindly  voice  breaks  the  silence.  But  even 
on  this  effort  to  secure  hel]),  they  were  divided.  The 
following  year  the  Strong  River  wished  to  saN'  to  the 
General  Association,  that,  for  the  want  of  unanimit\', 
they  had  to  abandon  the  idea  of  co-operation  with 
them  in  the  missionary  work. 

But  "there  was  never  a  night  without  a  dav.'"  In 
1S59,  they  met  with  the  Copiah  church  in  their  seventh 
annual  session.  Delegates  from  four  new  churches 
were  present — Gum  Springs,  Oak  Grove,  Crooked  Creek, 
and  Polkvillc.  S.  W.  I),de,  John  Howell,  and  S.  J.  Hitt, 
licentiates,  .'ind  W.  G.  II  )\vell,  gladdened  the  body  as 
coming  from  these  new  fields  of  labor. 

The  resolution  adopted  the  year  before,  dropping 
correspondence  with  the  Central,  Mt.  Pisgah,  and  the 
General   Association,   was  rescinded.     Correspondence 


804  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

with  the  State  Convention  was  ordered,  and  E.  C.  Ea- 
ger reeeived  as  representing  Mississippi  College  and 
Central  Female  Institute.  Epaphroditus  had  come,  and 
a  Pauline  spirit  infused  into  the  bod\'.  Onward  in  zeal;, 
delegates  were  sent  to  the  Southern  Baptist  Sundaj'' 
School  Union  to  meet  in  Canton,  Miss.,  in  November. 

Their  missionary-  report  is  now  considered  w^orthy 
of  the  gaze  of  all  eyes,  the  Board  is  requested  to  send  it 
to  the  Misssissippi  Baptist  for  publication  in  the  Bap- 
tist State  paper.  The  fleec^^  cloud  had  all  gone  skip- 
ping away  like  innocent  lambs  and  the  blythe  sunlight 
made  a  smiling  face  of  the  heavens.  What  has  caused 
the  phenomenal  change?  The  churches  had  received 
that  associational  year  116  by  baptism,  142  by  letter, 
making  258  additions  to  the  churches,  and  4  new 
churches  added  to  the  sisterhood,  and  the  Cato  church 
the  following  year.  Over  700  copies  of  Minutes  were 
wanted.  The  association  had  live  ordained  ministers, 
and  twelve  licentiates,  and  the  churches  had  an  aggre- 
gate memlDcrship  of  1,550.  Their  missionar^^  received 
$1.75  a  day,  and  was  paid  c/iuirterlv,  in  advance. 
James  A.  Newman  was  unanimously  chosen  missiona- 
ar}^  for  the  coming  year.  There  was  a  balance  on  hand 
for  their  missions  amounting  to  $395.80.  It  is  passing 
strange,  but  true,  that  the  surest  way  to  the  heights  is 
across  the  deep  vale,  if  God  holds  the  hand,  and  the  eye 
be  fixed  upon  the  guilded  mountain  tops. 

"What  is  the  news?'"  Where  is  the  Mississippiari 
over  45  years  of  age,  who  does  not  remember  the 
stormy  period  of  our  histor^y,  when  that  was  the  first 
question  when  two  friends  met.  The  answer  to  it  was 
sometimes  awaited  with  dread  and  alarm.  From 
nearly  ever^^  home  one  or  more  had  gone  to  the  front 
to  face  an  invading  foe.     Communities,   churches,  and 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  805 

associations,  had  an  abiding  interest  in  the  happenings 
of  the  fratricidal  war.  In  the  period  lietween  1861  and 
1865,  some  of  the  associations  had  to  discontinue  their 
gatherings,  on  account  of  the  forays  of  the  federal 
"troops  from  Memphis  '  The  associations  of  the  south- 
ern part  of  our  State  were  not  so  much  distressed.  The 
Strong  River  Association  was  south  of  the  i)illaging 
raids  of  Sherman  from  Jackson  to  Meridian.  His  char- 
red path  of  forage  and  fire  was  through  the  territory  of 
the  Central,  the  Harmony,  and  the  Alt.  Pisgali.  The 
Strong  River  held  all  its  sessions  in  the  four  years  of 
the  Civil  War. 

They,  like  the  Pearl  River,  contributed  in  1861, 
1862,  and  1863.  to  the  fund  collected  for  supph-ing  the 
volunteers  with  copies  of  the  New  Testament.  The 
money  for  the  purpose  was  by  resolution  forwarded  to 
J.  R.  Graves,  then  of  Nashville,  Tenn.  The  mission- 
ary enterprise  and  the  work  of  the  Executive  Board 
were  suspended. 

The  obituary  report  of  1861  was  upon  the  death  of 
James  Murray.  He  had  been  a  leading  man  in  the  body 
from  its  constitution.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  he  was 
pastor  of  two  churches  of  the  Association — the  Pales- 
tine and  the  Bethlehem.  James  Murray  was  born  in 
Edgefield  District,  S.  C.  Sept.  24,1792.  He  made  a 
profession  of  religion  and  was  baptized  before  leaving 
his  native  State,  in  the  22nd  year  of  his  age.  His  first 
stop  in  our  State  was  in  WaA'ne  county.  He  held  his 
membership  in  Salem  church.  His  second  stay  was  at 
Silver  Creek,  Simjison  county-,  where  he  was  a  memlier 
of  the  old  Hebron  church.  On  Aug.  29,  1835.  he  was 
ordained,  when  4-3  years  of  age,  X.  Robertson,  Sr.,  N. 
Robertson,  Jr.,  and  James  Powell,  constituting  the 
presbytery.     His  ne.xt  move  was  to  Pearl  River,  6  miles 


806  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

above  Georgetown,  where  he  beeanie  a  member  of  the 
Palestine  ehureh.  He  was  moderator  of  the  Strong 
River  six  years.  He  died  on  Pearl  River,  Simpson  coun- 
ty, Jan.  27,  1861,  in  the  69th  3'ear  of  his  age.  He  was 
for  many  years  an  influential  member  of  the  Pearl 
River  before  the  Strong  River  w^as  constituted. 

In  1864-  Cader  Price  was  absent.  This  fact  is  wor- 
t  y  of  mention.  He  w^as  born  in  Tatnel  county,  Ga., 
Jan.  8,  1800.  He  w^as  ordained  133^  the  Steen's  Creek 
church  in  1833  and  w^as  pastor  of  that  church  for  35 
years.  He  w^as  in  the  constitution  of  the  Strong  River 
in  1853  as  a  delegate  from  Drj?-  Creek  church,  and  had 
missed  onl}'^  one  meeting  of  the  body.  In  1871,  on  the 
Alinutes  of  the  association,  we  find  the  saddened  state- 
ment that  Cader  Price  was  a  superannuated  minister 
and  in  such  reduced  circumstances  that  a  public  collec- 
tion was  taken  up  for  him.  He  died  May  24,  1872.  A 
laro-e  and  well  written  obituary  notice  is  given  in  the 
Minutes   of  their  association  of  1872,  by  R.  W.  Hall. 

In  the  Minutes  of  1864  and  1865,  a  list  of  the  killed 
and  dead  soldiers,  members  of  the  churches,  is  given. 
Among  them  is  the  name  of  E.  E.  Steen,  long  an  honor- 
ed member  of  the  association.  Among  the  names  of 
the  killed,  we  find  W.  W.  Singletary,  Preston  Bridges, 
F.  W.  Sojourner,  and  Capt.  Elijah  Sla}'.  Among  the 
names  of  those  who  died  from  disease,  we  have  E.  E. 
Steen,  E.  B.  Crawford,  Ervin  Lowther,  J.  R.  Bridges, 
J.  N.  Butler,  G.  W.  Weathersby,  Asa  Fortenberrv,  Rich- 
ard May,  S.  May,  and  John  R.  Drummond. 

In  1866,  the  Civil  War  was  a  thing  of  the  past,  and 
a  period  of  readjustment  of  the  church  relations  and 
church  w^ork  had  begun.  At  that  time  everything  was 
unsettled  in  our  Southland.  A  new  order  of  affairs  had 
to  be  inaugurated.     Our  wnsest  men  scarceh'  knew  how 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  807 

to  adjust  themselves  to  the  new  eonditions,  or  what  to 
su^i^est  to  others.  At  the  close  of  the  Civil  War,  the 
whites  and  blacks  were  in  the  same  churches.  In  the 
early  histor\'  of  our  churches  in  the  State,  the  Africans 
had  their  churches  apart  from  the  whites,  but  under 
the  control  and  management  of  the  whites.  It  was 
deemed  best  later  to  have  the  negroes  in  the  churches 
with  the  white  Christians,  which  arrangement  was 
continued  through  the  years  of  the  servitude  of  the 
blacks.  In  18GG,  there  were  29  churches  represented 
in  the  Strong  River,  which  had  a  membership  of  2,4'6S. 
Of  this  number,  316  were  colored  people,  as  reported. 
Some  of  the  churches  did  not  report  the  number  of 
whites  and  blacks,  perha])S  they  had  no  blacks.  Six- 
teen of  the  29  churches  reported  blacks  in  their  mem- 
bership; the  largest  numlier  re]3orted  In'  f)ne  church 
was  Hopewell  church. 

What  should  be  done  for  and  with  the  negroes  in 
the  churches?  The\^  wished  to  form  churches  of  their 
own.  Their  desire  w^as  to  be  to  themselves.  They 
were,  in  all  the  walks  of  life,  distinct  from  the  whites. 
There  was  only  the  one  tie  to  bind  them  together,  the 
relation  between  capital  and  labor.  The  whites  had 
the  lands,  the  blacks  had  nothing,  and  must  vStill  work 
the  lands,  which  they  did  reluctantly,  as  they  lived  in 
the  aliiding  hope  that  the  government  would  give  them 
lands.  The  relations,  and  lack  of  relations  between  the 
two  races,  had  to  he  determined.  The  whites  decided, 
without  discount,  to  let  them  form  churches  of  their 
own.  This  disposition  ])revailed  throughout  the 
State. 

The  Strong  Kiver  i:)ass^d  four  consecutive  resolu- 
tions iis  to  the  colored  members  of  the  body.  The  spir- 
itual destitution  of  the   freedmen    was   recognized   and 


"808  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

deplored,  yet  it  was  recomtnendecl  to  the  churches  that 
they  set  apart  one  Sunday  in  each  month  for  the  pur- 
pose of  letting  thefreedmen  organize  churches  to  them- 
selves, if  they  so  desired:  under  the  supervision  of  the 
pastor  and  deacons  of  the  individual  white  church. 
The  ininisters  ot  the  association  were  requested  to  act 
as  missionaries  among  the  blacks,  and  report  to  the 
next  meeting  of  the  body  all  the  work  they  have  done 
for  the  freedmen.  Tlie  churches  of  the  freedmen,  when 
dulv  organized,  could  be  represented  in  the  association 
only  bv  a  white  proxy.  It  was  asserted  that  the 
Strong  River  was  organized  "under  the  government  of 
^vhite  persons  only,  and  not  o{ negroes,"  and  that  the 
whites  had  an  inalienable  right  to  control  the  body. 
In  1867,  the  ministers  reported  work  done  with  the 
freedmen.  Cader  Price  organized  one  colored  church  in 
Kankin  county,  Wm.  Toler  baptized  four,  Wm.  Murray 
baptized  4  in  Copiah  county;  T.  Green  baptized  21  and 
K.  D.  Middleton  received  one  by  letter.  In  1868,  they 
repealed  all  resolutions  pcissed  by  the  bod3'  to  that  date 
iis  to  the  freedmen,  which  closed  out  all  relations  with 
the  blacks  who  had  formed  churches  of  their  own. 

The  prominent  ministers  of  1866  were  M.  T.  Conn, 
the  moderator  of  the  body,  Chandler,  Middleton,  Meax, 
Thomas  Price,  Giddens,  E.  R.  Freeman,  Powell,  Theo. 
Green,  Toler,  A.  Murray,  and  Cader  Price. 

In  1867,  as  by  necessity,  they  became  enlisted  in 
the  work  of  sustentation.  Cader  Price,  long  one  of 
the  most  useful  meml)ers  of  the  bod^',  w-as  in  the  de- 
crepitude ot  age  and  in  limited  circumstances.  Wm. 
Toler  and  T.  E.  Murray  also  needed  help.  To  let  them 
suffer  would  have  been  ingratitude,  inhuman  and  un- 
christian. B3'  resolution,  a  committee  was  formed  con- 
sisting of  B.  F.   Sutton,    E.  J.    Runnels,   H.  Jones,    W. 


mSTOKV     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  809 

May,  G.  W.  \Villi;inis,  J.  DrunimoiKl,  f.  S.  Alullen,  E. 
Giiincs,  aiul  S.  T.  Baron,  to  take  cognizance  of  the  su- 
perannuated ministn-  of  the  Association.  The  com- 
mittee was  authorized  to  use  any  money  in  the  treasu- 
ry for  this  benevolence.  Money  sent  to  the  Associa- 
tion for  associational  purposes  sometimes  Ijccame  an 
iiccumulated  surplus,  and  was  left  at  the  discretion  of 
the  body.  The  committee  recommended  that  the  dele- 
gates ask  their  respective  churches  to  consider  the  needs 
of  the  ministers  now  old  and  needy. 

The  death  of  M.  T.  Conn  was  a  sad  occurrence  of 
September  8,  1869.  A  sketch  of  his  life  may  be  found 
in  Fosters  Mississippi  Baptist  Preachers.  His  first 
appearance  in  the  Strong  River  was  in  1856,  as  a  mes- 
senger from  the  Union,  which  commission  he  enjoved 
again  in  1859.  He  was  then  a  licentiate,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Copiah  church.  In  1860,  he  preached  the  in- 
troductory- sermon  Ijefore  the  Strong  River,  from  Titus 
3:1.  He  was  then  an  ordained  minister.  He  was 
elected  moderator  of  the  Strong  River,  in  .1.864,  which 
office  he  filled  for  three  consecutive  years.  He  was  a 
faithful  and  devout  preacher. 

Theo.  Green,  in  1870,  introduced  resolutions  on  as- 
sociational missions.  He  asserted  that  missionary  op- 
erations had  virtually  ceased  in  their  bounds,  for  pe- 
cuniary reasons.  The  churches  were  requested  to  send 
to  their  next  meeting  not  less  than  $5.00  each  for  mis- 
sionary purposes.  The  circular  letter  of  the  next  year 
contains  this  assertion: '"The  missionary  work  is  vir- 
tually dead  in  our  midst."  What  was  the  cause? 
There  were  29  churches  in  the  institution  with  an  ay- 
gregate  membership  of  over  2,000.  The  sum  of  $7. 11 
was  reported  for  Ministerial  E^ducation,  nothing  for 
Foreign  missions,  nothing  for  their  home  work.     The 


810  HISTORY     OF     MISSIvSSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

old  preachers  who  projected  the  Association  were  gone. 
A  new  era  was  just  about  to  dawn,  and  some  new 
forces  were  to  appear  in  the  engagement. 

In  1871,  James  Nelson,  of  the  Central,  was  with 
them,  and  represented  the  State  Convention.  J.  R. 
Parish  was  a  messenger  from  the  Union,  and  E.  P. 
Douglass  and  H.  A.  Davis,  from  the  Mississippi.  Cor- 
respondence was  arranged  with  seven  associations. 
James  Nelson  preached  at  11  a.  m.  Sunda\^  on  Matt. 
9:38.  After  his  sermon,  a  collection  was  taken  in  cash 
and  pledges  amounting  to  $4-65.25.  J.  R.  Farish  in  the 
afternoon,  from  I.  Cor.,  13:12.  Following  his  sermon, 
was  a  collection  for  Cader  Price  of  $21.40.  The  old 
soldier  was  coming  to  stringency  of  circumstances,  but 
not  to  want.  At  that  session  strong  resolutions  were 
adopted  on  Mississippi  College  and  Ministerial  Educa- 
tion. Friday  before  the  third  Sunday  in  December  was 
recommended  as  a  day  ot  fasting  and  prayer  that  the 
Lord  would  send  them  more  preachers  for  the  \vork. 

In  1872,  the  twentieth  session  of  the  Association 
convened  with  the  Cato  church.  Rock  Bluff  church,  of 
Smith  county,  was  received  into  the  fraternity.  The 
Strong  River  was  then  composed  of  31  churches,  which 
had  a  total  membership  of  2,413.  The  numl^ers  of 
baptisms  reported  that  year  was  243.  The  body  was 
growing  numerically  strong,  and  gathering  a  willing- 
ness for  an  onward  movement. 

The  visit  tliCA'  received  from  James  Nelson  the  year 
before  was  a  sea  son  of  vSeed  sowing  for  Mmisterial  Ed- 
ucation, and  was  an  inspiration  to  the  body.  In  their 
circular  letter,  it  was  said:  The  missionary  cause  has 
given  place  to  Ministerial  Education,  to  a  certain  ex- 
tent. H.  M.  Long  was  chairman  of  the  committee  on 
Ministerial   Education  that  year.     He  is  a  good  speak. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  811 

er,  iind,  doul^tlcss,  represented  the  e.'iusewell.     In  1871, 
a  committee  was  ai)})ointed  on  Foreign  missions. 

On  the  first  day  ot  the  session  of  1872,  G.  W.  Wil- 
liams, of  Strong-  River  church,  presented  some  stagger- 
ing resolutions.  On  motion  made  by  H.  M.  Long,  the 
rules  were  suspended  to  get  the  resolutions  before  the 
bod^'  The  resolutions  were  read  for  information,  and 
explained  b\'  their  author.  They  were  laid  on  the 
table.  On  motion,  the^'  were  taken  from  the  table,  and, 
after  remarks  b\'  G.  W.  Williams,  W.  H.  Head,  T.  Green, 
with  some  amendments,  it  was  unanimously  adopted. 
The  preamble  declared  that  the  time  was  auspicious 
for  the  establishment  of  a  Baptist  High  School  within 
the  l)oundary  of  that  body.  Within  the  Association  in 
1,000  square  miles,  two-thirds  of  the  inhabitants  were 
Baptists.  They  were  in  limited  circumstances  and  not 
able  to  send  their  children  off  to  ^i  school  of  high  grade. 
It  was  recommended  that  the  high  school  be  located 
near  the  centre  of  the  Association,  on  an  eighty  acre 
plot  af  land,  which  wiis  to  be  divided  into  5  acres  each, 
upon  which  the  patrons  of  the  school  might  build. 
The  institution  was  to  be  endowed  with  $10,000  to  l)e 
paid  in  ten  installments,  $25.00  to  be  a  share.  It  Avas 
to  be  known  as  "The  Baptist  High  School."  Board 
should  not  exceed  $10.00  a  month,  and  ministers 
should  have  free  tuition.  The  schedule  of  cost  in  each 
grade  of  study  was  given.  This  project  was  lieautiful, 
but  appeared  visionar3^  Such  a  school  would  have 
been  of  inestimable  value  to  them.  But  it  has  not  to 
this  day  existed,  except  on  those  two  pages  of  the  Min- 
utes. High  schools  of  smaller  dimensions,  iind  upon  a 
more  practical  l)asis,  are  today  a  great  blessing  to  the 
interior  of  many  j^jirts  of  our  State.  They  are  develop- 
ing the  young,  who  otherwise  should  have  never  been 
able  to  avail  themselves  of  ecjual  advantages. 


812  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  proceedings  of  the  body  of  that  3'ear  cannot  be 
passed  by  without  noticing  another  item  of  business. 
All  these  items,  that  are  receiving  attention  at  length, 
only  go  to  show  that  affairs  in  the  Association  were  in 
a  formation  state,  and  gathering  force  for  the  years  to 
come.  They  put  themselves  on  record  again  on  the 
temperance  agitation.  In  ]3reamble  and  resolution, 
Ave  have  the  facts  given  that  no  drunkard  "shall  in- 
herit the  kingdom  of  God;'"  that  it  is  the  duty  of  every 
church  to  expel  meml^ers  who  are  immoral  in  conduct, 
and  that  the  Association  shall  consider  every  church 
in  disorder  that  fails  to  exclude  all  such  immoral  and 
Avicked  persons  mentioned  in  the  preamble.  The  read- 
er of  Mississippi  Baptist  History  can  assuredly  be  in 
no  doubt  as  to  what  the  sentiment  of  our  people  was 
before  the  opening  of  prohibition  contest. 

There  were  in  the  Association  in  1872,  two  men,  at 
least,  whose  presence  deserves  more  than  a  passing  no- 
tice: the  one,  a  noted  layman;  the  other,  a  distinguished 
preacher.  Dr.  F.  T.  Gayden  was  a  native  of  Geor- 
gia. For  many  years  he  was  a  practitioner  in  his  na- 
tive State.  He  represented  the  Dry  Creek  church  in  the 
Association  of  1872.  He  was  a  man  of  rare  common 
sense  and  of  progressive  ideas.  His  constant  effort 
was  to  elevate  the  people  with  whom  he  had  cast  his 
lot,  and  was  undaunted  by  a  lack  of  appreciation  of 
his  efforts  and  undismayed  b^^  a  temporary  failure  of 
one  of  his  undertakings.  W.  H.  Head  was  a  man  of 
great  learning  and  deep  piety.  He  was  a  preacher  of 
marked  ability  and  a  man  of  winning  address.  He 
was,  in  1873,  pastor  at  County  Line  and  Pilgrim's 
Rest  churches,  and  his  presence  was  felt  in  the  meeting 
of  the  body.  The  pastors  of  distinction  in  the  Associa- 
tion at  this  time  were;  Jesse  Woodall,  S.  J.  Hitt,  W.  H. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  81S 

Head,  H.  M.  Long,  Norvell  R()l)ertson,  W.  S.  Webb, 
and  J.  K.  P'arish.  The  most  useful  of  the  laymen  were: 
A.  B.  Guvnes,  F.  M.  Martm,  J,  D.  Ross,  A.  May,  A. 
Slay,  B.  F.  Sutton,  J.  J.  Lackey,  J.  F.  Norman,  D. 
Bishop,  John  Lowther,  S.  Brinson,  and  S.  Walker. 

The  proceedings  of  the  Association  of  1874-  wear  a 
more  familiar  air  to  the  writer.  He  feels  as  if,  after 
spending  a  long  while  with  distinguished  strangers, 
and  after  closely  scanning  their  actions,  he  had  gotten 
home.  In  those  proceedings,  he  meets  W.  H.  Tucker^ 
W.  D.  Mayfield,  H.  M.  Long,  J.  Jacker  Green,  J.  L.  Pet- 
tigrew,  T.J.  Walne,  J.  A.  Hackett,  AI.  T.  Martin,  and 
J.  A.  Scarljorough.  The  historian  feels  like  laying 
aside  his  pen  and  having  a  general  hand-shaking.  But, 
alas!  where  are  the  hands  of  W.  H.  Tucker,  J.  Jasper 
Green,  and  M.  T.  Martin?  They  have  been  folded  on 
breasts  that  have  long  since  ceased  to  heave,  and  are 
now  l)lending  with  common  dust.  W.  H.  Tucker  was 
a  model  of  piety,  J.  Jasper  Green,  loved  by  the  writer,, 
and  M.  T.  Martin,  one  who  befriended  him  when  he 
come  as  a  stranger  to  cast  his  lot  with  Mississip])i  Bap- 
tists. 

At  that  meeting  of  the  Strong  River,  Theo.  Green 
was  appointed  as  their  visitor  at  the  ne.xt  commence- 
ment of  Mississippi  College.  Five  churches  got  letters 
of  dismission  from  the  Union — Rock  Bluff,  Polkville, 
Antioch,  Union,  and  White  Oak.  A  strange  (|uery  was 
put  before  the  l)ody  by  the  Copiah  church.  It  was^ 
this:  "Should  the  church  retain  in  fellowship  those 
members  who  engage  in  the  pkn- called  'steal  ]Kirtners,' 
or  any  similar  game?'"  The  (juestion  was  decided  in 
the  negative.  ( )ne  can^magine  the  young  ])eople  of 
Copiah  church  at  a  gay  gathering,  as  (me  is  coyly 
stealing  one  of  the  opposite  sex,  lialf  jestingly  and  half 


814  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

in  earnest,  with  a  queer  feeling  of  ownership,  bjteasing- 
ly  skipping  near  the  chosen  one,  and  ghding  awa}",  and 
skipping  back  again,  keeping  step  to  the  music  of  the 
vioHn;  and  then  lioth  of  them,  in  giddy  whirl,  taking 
their  place  in  the  enchanted  circle.  Ah,  those  Christ- 
mas times.  Doubtless  some  of  those  people  are  living  there 
now  but  twenty-seven  years  have  one  by  one,  disciplined 
those  naught^'  feet,  and  as  staid  men  and  matronly 
w^omen  of  forty-five,  they  use  their  heels  and  toes  more 
wisely,  and  have  long  since  "stolen  partners"  in  truth, 
with  no  dissent  from  their  church. 

The  interest  taken  by  the  Strong  River  in  Sunday 
School  w^ork  is  rather  extraordinary.  Their  record 
may  be  equaled  by  other  associations  in  the  State,  still 
their  zeal  was  commendable.  In  1872,  J.J.  Lackey,  of 
Pilgrim's  Rest  church,  of  which  W.  H.  Head  was  pas- 
tor, offered  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  churches  and  Sunda3'  Schools  in 
our  bounds  be,  and  are  hereby,  recommended  to  send 
jielegates  to  a  Sunday  School  Convention  to  meet  with 
the  Hopewell  church o.^  Friday  before  the  fifth  Sunday 
in  this  month  (September),  to  organize  a  Sunday 
School  Institute  for  Strong  River  Association,  and  that 
a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  draft  a  constitu- 
tion for  such  institute,  to  be  presented  at  that  time." 
The  proceedings  of  the  Association  of  the  following 
year  contain  a  report  of  the  secretary  of  that  Sunday 
School  Institvite.  W.  H,  Head  was  president,  and  A. 
B.  Guynes,  secretary.  A  second  institute  was  held  in 
March,  1873,  and  another  in  September  of  that  year. 

In  18  74-,  as  stated  in  their  letter  of  correspond- 
ence, much  interest  was  taken  in  Sunday  School  work. 
''The  Sunday  School  Institute  in  Our  l^ounds  has  been 
holding  its  annual  session  on  the  day  previous  to  our 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS,  815 

3'early  meetino;.  Its  sessions  are  of  interest.'"  The  next 
year,  the  secretary  made  a  full  report  to  the  Associa- 
tion. In  it,  he  gave  a  synopsis  of  the  report  of  the 
Sunday  School  Institute.  Eight  Sunday  Schools  re- 
ported, one-half  of  them  holding  their  session  in  the 
afternoon.  The  Sunday  Schools  reported  were  in  the 
Bethel,  County  Line,  Mt.  Zion,  Pilgrim's  Rest,  Hebron, 
Salem,  Zion  Hill,  and  Rials  Creek.  County  Line  was 
the  banner  church,  having  a  Sunday  School  of  100  pu- 
pils. Year  by  year,  these  Sunday  School  Conventions 
were  held,  and  some  years  as  many  as  four  institutes 
were  held  in  the  bounds  of  the  body. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  period  from  1876  to  1860, 
the  need  of  a  State  paper  was  beginning  to  be  sensibly 
felt.  In  the  Minutes  of  1876,  we  find  this  language: 
"We  have  long  felt  the  want  of  a  denominational  or- 
gan in  our  State,  and,  while  we  have  ever  cherished  a 
high  regard  for  The  Baptist,  *  *  *  we  have  realized 
that  it  did  not  (|uite  meet  our  need  as  a  means  ofcom- 
munication  among  ourselves.  We  would,  therefore, 
express  our  approval  of  the  action  of  the  late  State 
Convention  in  setting  on  foot  measures  looking  to  the 
establishment  of  an  independent  State  journal.  The 
following  year  The  Mississippi  Baptist  Record,  pub- 
lished at  Clinton  by  M.  T.  Martin,  and  edited  Ijy  J.  B. 
Gambrell,  was  heartily  commended.  This  indorsement 
was  repeated  in  1878  and  1879. 

In  1880,  the  report  on  Publications  was  read  by  S. 
M.  Ellis,  who  recommended  T/ie  A*ecorc?  as  "our  home 
pa])er.""  This  w£is  easy,  courteous,  and  graceful.  Its 
indorsement  the  following  yetir  was  crisp:  The  Record 
was  said  to  be  "missionary  and  sound  to  the  very 
core."  In  1882,  S.  M.  Ellis  was  again  chairman  of  the 
committee   on   tliis  subject.     He  sjjoke  of  the  paper  fa- 


816  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

miliarly  as  "Our  Baptist  Record,'''  but  had  to  regret 
that  not  hah' the  faniiHes  in  the  Association  was  repre- 
sented on  the  suliscription  books  of  the  paper.  In  1884, 
B.  F.  Sutton  said,  "We  cannot  speak,  however,  too 
highh^  of  the  Baptist  Record,  our  State  organ,  pub- 
lished b}^  J.  B.  Gambrell  and  George  Wharton,  at  CHn- 
ton.  Miss.''  Yearly  their  good  opinion  of  The  Record 
was  expressed. 

The  Strong  River,  in  the  fall  of  1874-,  arranged  sat- 
isfactorily with  the  old  State  Mission  Board  of  the  con- 
vention for  co-operation  on  the  basis  that  all  funds 
sent  that  Board  should  be  applied  to  the  Coast  Mission. 
J.  B.  Hamberlin,  the  missionary  on  the  coast,  under  the 
State  Alission  Board,  ^vas  to  report  annually  to  them, 
either  through  the  State  Board  or  directh'.  $273.50 
was  turned  over  to  that  Board  in  1875  for  that  pur- 
pose in  due  and  regular  form.  The  following  \^ear,  the 
Executive  Board  of  the  body  forwarded  $147.90  tor 
this  mission  and  took  pledges  for  money  to  be  paid  in 
the  ensuing  year  of  $109.60.  In  1S76,  J.  B.  Hamberlin 
had  two  new  churches  established  on  the  coast.  In 
that  3^ear  Stonewall  and  Galilee  churches  wtro.  received 
into  the  body.  Everything  was  l)eiag  organized  and 
inspirited  for  progressive  work.  The  women  of  the 
churches  were  urged  to  form  missionary  societies.  A 
good  report  was  put  before  them  on  the  College,  and 
Foreign  missions  received  due  attention. 

In  1877,  thej'  met  with  County  Line  church.  The 
Rock3'  Creek  church,  Simpson  county,  was  received 
into  the  body.  W.  S.  Welib,  T.J.  Walne,  J.  L.  Petti- 
grew,  I.  H.  Anding  and  D.  I.  Purser,  were  distinguished 
visitors  at  that  meeting.  That  year,  as  in  the  year 
before,  special  mention  was  made  of  W.  J.  David,  mis- 
sionary to  Africa.     He  was  a  Mississippian.     He  went 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  '^IT 

to  Africa  in  1S75.  The  Foreign  mission  report  was 
discussed  by  1.  H.  Anding  and  J.  L.  Pettigrew.  It  a])- 
peared  that  the  sum  of  $111. Iv5  was  contributed  that 
year  to  State  missions. 

The  Association  convened  in  1878  with  the  Moun- 
tain Creek  church.  The  l^ody  came  into  inmiediate 
touch  with  Ministerial  Education.  Resolutions  were 
presented  expressive  of  hearty  sympathy  with  the 
■work,  recommending  the  churches  of  the  Association 
to  support,  in  whole  or  in  part,  T.  S.  Powell,  at  Mis- 
sissippi College,  and  to  aid  J,  C.  Buckle3'  in  a  course  ot 
study.  The  sum  of  $120  was  subscribed  for  the  sup- 
port of  T.  S.  Powell,  and  $105  for  J.  C.  Buckley.^ 

Two  new  churches  were  received  into  the  union  in 
1879,  Enon's  and  Campbell's  Creek.  The  boch-  was-, 
then  composed  of  thirty-one  churches,  with  a  member- 
ship of  2,526.  The  churches  re])orted  that  year  293- 
baptisms,  Steen"s  Creek  church  reporting  51  of  the 
number.  The  Association  was  cheered  with  the  state- 
ment that  the  State  Mission  Board  had  an  efficient 
missionary  (T.  D.  Bush)  in  the  field  of  destitution  re- 
ferred to  in  the  report  of  the  Executive  Board  the  year 
previous,  in  Southeast  Mississippi.  He  was  greatlv 
encouraged  in  his  work.  He  had  constituted  two 
churches.  T.  D.  Bush  was  no  ordinary  man,  and  could 
have  continued  to  lie  useful,  had  he  remained  in  that 
field. 

In  the  year  1880,  three  churches  in  the  .Association 
pledged  themselves  to  raise  during  tiie  coming  vear 
$100  each  for  State  missions,  the  total  amount  sub- 
scribed being  $5(55.  T.  J.  Walne,  secretary  t)f  the  State 
Board,  was  with  them.  He  was  at  the  time  l)eing  con- 
sumed with  a  Ijurning  desire  for  State  evangeliza  tion 

The   decade   between    1.S80   and    1890,  was  one  iu. 


5S18  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Avhich  the  Association  was  characterized  by  hard,  pro- 
gressive work.  Everything  was  formulated,  all  the 
interests,  general  and  local,  were  receiving  due  and 
■careful  consideration.  In  1S82,  J.  Jasper  Green  was 
elected  moderator,  which  position  he  filled  t\vo  years, 
and  was  succeeded  by  J.  C.  Buckley.  In  1885,  A.  B. 
Gu\mes  was  moderator,  and  was  kept  in  office  for  three 
consecutive  years.  He  was  succeeded  b3^J.  C.  Thigpen, 
^vho  held  his  incumbency  for  two  years,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded in  1890  by  R.Drummond.  In  1880,  the  churches 
of  the  Associcition  had  8,480  members,  and  in  1890, 
3,084.  In  1880,  the  body  gave  to  all  purposes 
$3,045.54,  and  in  1890,  $9,206.49.  A  very  perceptible 
increase  was  made  in  pastoral  support,  to  which  the 
•^•hurches  gave  in  1880,  $1,785.54,  and  in  1890, 
$3,574.65. 

At  the  vsession  of  1883,  due  notice  was  taken  of  the 
death  of  Lewis  Howell,  of  Dry  Creek  church.  He  was 
b_v  birth  a  South  Carolinian.  He  was  ])orn  July  21, 
1799,  and  was  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  the  eighty- 
fifth  year  of  his  age.  He  had  been  a  deacon  fifty-five 
years. 

The  vigorous  men  in  the  Association,  young  in  the 
ininistry  were:  J.  R.  Johnston,  J.  P.  Hemby,  S.M.  Ellis, 
.J.    E.  Thigpen,    J.    A.    Scarborough,  J.  C.  Buckley,    R. 
Drummond,  and  Wayne  Sutton. 

From  1890  to  1900,  Wiiyne  Sutton  was  clerk  of  the 

body,  and  A.   H.  Dale,  treasurer.     R.  Drummond  v^^as 

moderator  from  1891  to  1893.  inclusive;  J.    R.   John- 

:ston  from  1894  to  1898;  and  J.  C.  Buckley  in  1899  and 

1900. 

In  1891,  the  Association  adopted  preamble  and  res- 
i)lution  on  "Pastors'  Schools."  Such  schools  were 
proving  quite  beneficial   to  the  ministry   in  Alabama. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  HI  9 

J.  B.  Gambrcll  was  at  that  meeting  of  the  Strong  River 
Assoeiation,  and  suceeeded  in  arousing  the  l)ody  to  a 
sense  of  the  need  of  sueh  sehools  in  the  ])roper  develop- 
ment of  onr  ministry. 

Good  interest  was  shown  in  the  work  of  the  Ladies' 
Aid  Societies.  Societies  in  four  churches  made  reports. 
The  Society  of  the  Stonewall  church  reported  $50.00 
collected:  of  Cato.  $18.90;  of  Hebron,  $54.60:  and  of 
Salem,  $12.00.  The  meeting  held  by  the  women  on 
Sunday  afternoon  during  the  sitting  of  the  Assoeiation 
Avas  full  of  interest. 

The  session  of  1S92  was  enlivened  by  the  presence 
of  H.  F.  Sproles.  He  was  there  in  the  interest  of  the 
church  building  fund  of  the  Jackson  church.  He  was 
heard  gladly,  aud  a  good  amount  \vas  contributed  to 
the  object  he  re])resented. 

The  following  resolution  on  the  use  of  intoxicants 
as  a  beverage  was  presented  by  Joel  H.  Gambrcll: 

"Resolved,  that  it  is  the  sense  of  this  Association 
that  for  any  minister  or  church  member  to  visit  sa- 
loons, drink  intoxicants  as  a  beverage,  sign  whiskey 
petitions,  go  on  li(|uor  dealers'  bonds,  vote  ior  the  sale 
of  whiskey,  or  in  any  way  encourage  or  countenance 
the  traffic  in  intoxicating  li(|Uors,  is  grossly  unchristian 
conduct  that  should  be  brought  under  the  strictest  and 
kindest  church  discipline." 

In  1S92.  the  churches  gave  to  Foreigri  missions 
$124-. 50;  to  State  missions  $S0. 00;  and  to  Home  mis- 
sions $55. ()S. 

In  1S93,  there  were  .  vent\-nine  churches  in  the  un- 
ion with  a  total  membership  ot  2,90<).  The  churches 
received  that  year  255  jjcrsons  by  l)aptism  and  ninety- 
eight  by  letter.  Nearly  all  the  churches  showed  signs 
•of  growth  and  development, 


820  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  Ladies"  Aid  Society  held  £uiniial  meeting  (hiring 
the  sitting  of  the  Association.  In  1894,  Mrs.  Didlake 
was  president,  and  Miss  Dora  Walker,  secretar^^  In 
1894,  MissLolaJohnston  was  vice-president  for  the  As- 
sociation; in  1895,  Mrs.  J.  R.  Carter. 

As  the  years  came  and  went  a  deligtful  harmony 
characterized  the  body,  and  an  earnest  desire  to  pro- 
mote the  objects  fostered  b3'  the  body  was  yearly  ap- 
parent. The  statistical  tables  were  incomplete,  and 
one  finds  it  difficult  to  ascertain  the  development  of 
their  benevolence  from  1890  to  1896.  But  we  find  that 
the  body  was  all  the  time  in  close  touch  and  full  co- 
operation  with  the  State  convention. 

In  1897,  there  were  twent^^-eight  churches  in  the  or- 
ganization with  a  total  membership  of  over  3,000  per- 
sons. The  churches  reported  that  year  $103.25  as  con- 
tributed to  State  missions;  $96.75  to  Home  missions; 
and  $180.30  to  Foreign  missions. 

One  cannot  but  notice  the  numerical  strength  ofthc 
churches  of  the  Strong  River  Association  at  the  close 
of  the  century.  One  church,  Steens  Creek,  had  more 
than  250  members.  Two  other  churches  had  more  than 
200  members,  Braxton  and  Hebron.  Ten  other  churches, 
had  over  100  members;  Antioch  had  102;  Cato,  182; 
Dry  Creek,  164:  Liberty,  197;  Mountain  Creek,  137;. 
Mount  Zion,  169;  Macedonia,  135;  Pleasant  Hill,  124; 
Strong  River,  109;  and  Strong  Hope,  158.  The  small- 
est church  in  the  organization  was  Cana,  which  had 
thirty-seven  meml^ers.  The  Association  was  composed 
of  twenty-eight  churches,  which  had  an  aggregate 
membership  of  2,882,  males  and  females. 

Prominent  among  the  pastors  in  1900  were,  Wayne 
Sutton,  J.  R.  Johnston,  J.  P.  Hemby,  R.  Drummond, 
D.J.  Miley,  J.  C.  Farrar,'j.   L.  Finley,  and  J.  E.  Thig- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  S21 

pen.  Their  prominent  la^^men  \Yere,  T.  W.  Allen,  Rob- 
ert Berry,  W.  A.  Ross,  F.  M.  Martin,  L.  A.  McCaskill, 
J.  R.  Tilimaii,  R  T.  May,  S.  T.  Berry,  J.  F.  Williams, 
J.  \V.  Dear,  and  F.  E.  Shivers. 

The  history  of  the  association  trom  its  constitution 
is  marked  by  tne  missionary  conviction.  The  body 
was  organized  of  churches  then  full  of  the  revival  spirit 
M'hich  is  inalienably  wedded  to  the  missionary  convic- 
tion. It  was  true  in  the  days  of  the  apostles  and  is 
true  yet.  The  highest  conception  of  missionary  work 
can  onh'  be  obtained  b\'  a  church  that  has  a  high  ap- 
preciation of  God's  favors  in  Christ.  There  were  pe- 
riods in  the  history  of  the  Strong  River  Association 
Avhen  the  tide  of  missionary  endeavor  ebbed  and  ran 
low,  but  such  periods  showed  an  uneasiness  in  the  body 
and  a  restlessness  that  was  unabated  until  better  days 
came.  The  Association  has  a  most  worth}'  history, 
which  should  be  a  source  of  gratulation  to  those  who 
for  many  years  have  been  walking  in  the  tracks  of  their 
forefathers  in  promoting  its  Ijest  interests  and  the  glory 
of  God. 


822  HISTORY     OF     MISSIvSSlPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

HARMONY   ASSOCIATION. 

The  historian  is  sometimes  Ijaffled  in  the  beginning- 
of  a  work  by  the  lack  of  historical  data.  He  has  an 
apprehension  that  perhaps  the  facts  he  craves  are 
somewhere  extant,  but  to  obtain  them  is  out  of  his 
power.  The  first  Minutes  of  the  Harmony  Association 
are  missing  or  irretrievably  lost.  The  Harmony  Asso- 
ciation was  constituted  in  1S4-9.  It  was  composed  of 
churches  from  the  old  Yazoo,  the  Choctaw,  and  the 
Mount  Pisgah  associations. 

The  churches  of  the  original  l)ody  was  in  the  coun- 
ties of  Leake,  Madison,  Neshoba,  Scott  and  Rankin. 
The  Mount  Pisgah  church  Avas  the  oldest.  It  was  or- 
s^anized  in  1S81.  It  was  in  Rankin  county,  and  had 
been  in  the  Pearl  River  and  the  Mt.  Pisgah  associations. 
The  Doak's  Creek  church  in  Madison  county  was  con- 
stituted in  1S83,  and  was  once  in  the  old  Yazoo  Asso- 
ciation. The  Jerusalem  churc^i  in  Scott  county  was; 
organized  in  1S37,  and  was  from  the  Mt.  PivSgah  Asso- 
ciation. The  Liberty  church  in  Rankin  county,  and 
the  Mt.  Sinai  church  of  Nesholia  county  were  organ- 
ized in  1839.  The  remaining  churches  of  the  original 
bodN'  were  instituted  in  the  forties. 

In  1850,  the  first  associational  year  of  the  Ijody, 
L  R.  Bass  and  J.  S.  Antley  did  missionary  work  in  the 
bounds  of  the   Association.     They  labored  principally 


HISTORY     OF     MlSSISSIPri     HAPTISTS.  82'-^ 

at  M()on"s  Scliool-hoiisc  and  Ml.  Carmcl.  I.  R.  Bass 
was  from  North  Carolina.  He  came  to  our  State  in 
1S34-,  and  settled  in  Madison  county.  Ilis  only  child ^ 
Mrs.  K.  C.  Lee,  of  Madison  Station,  was  l)orn  after  his 
death.  He  was  the  founder  of  the  old  Xew  Hope^ 
church,  now  the  church  at  Madison  Station.  Joseph  S. 
Antley  came  from  Alal)ama  \vith  a  number  of  emi- 
grants, who  settled  at  Pelahatchie  a1)out  the  year  1849. 
He  was  the  founder  of  the  church  at  Pelahatchie,  where 
he  bai)tized  twenty-four  persons  in  1S52. 

In  1851,  at  the  meetinti"  of  the  Association  of  that 
year,  J.  S.  Antley  and  Hillman  Hill  were  appointed 
missionaries  in  their  territory.  Antley  l)eii^an  his  labors 
at  Moon's  School-house  and  at  Mt.  Carniel.  In  Feb- 
ruary of  1S52,  he  b(._<4an  missionary  work  at  Cato 
Springs  in  Rankin  county,  on  the  Jackson  and  Rideigh 
road,  now  called  Cato.  He  also  estal)lishe(l  a  mission 
at  Norman's  School-house,  which  was  l)etween  Mill 
Creek  and  Mt.  Pisgah  church.  II.  Hill  labored  in  the 
northern  part  (^f  their  territory  "with  his  accustomed 
zeal.  " 

The  Association  of  1853  was  held  with  the  Jerusa- 
lem church  at  an  encam])ment  prejjared  for  the  occa- 
sion. William  Denson  was  chosen  moderator,  Thos. 
K.  Green,  clerk,  antl  \V.  \V.  Blev  treasurer.  Pelahatchie 
and  Rehoboth  churches  of  Rankin  county,  and  the 
Thomastown  church  of  Leake  county,  were  received 
into  the  union.  Samaria  church  in  Attala  county,  of 
the  Louisville  Association,  not  having  received  a  letter 
of  dismission,  was  received  conditionally. 

From    the   rei)ort  oi"  the  connuittee  on    the  state  of 
religion,  \ve  find  the  spiritual  condition  ol"  each  church 
in  1852.    Benevolence  complained  of  coldness  ;  Bethesda 
AAras  in  a  like  condition  :  Bethlehem  was  not  represented 


S24  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

at  the  Association;  Doak's  Creek  de[)lored  the  small 
increase  in  members :  Fellowship  had  nothing  of  inter- 
est to  communicate;  Good  Hope  was  in  a  high  state  of 
prosperity ;  Harmony  was  in  peace :  Judson  had  no 
special  revival;  Jerusalem  and  Liberty  were  in  alike 
■state:  Mt.  Sinai  was  prosperous  and  healthy;  Mt. 
Pisgah  prospering;  Mill  Creek  had  enjoyed  a  good  re- 
vival; New  Ho])e  was  silent;  Providence,  in  Leake, 
M^as  in  a  growing  condition  :  Pleasant  Hill  was  cold; 
Pensacola,  Mt.  Zion  and  Mt.  Carmel  were  growing; 
Keh()l)()th  and  Pelahatchie  were  prosperous,  and  Thom- 
-astown  was  "enjoying  brightening  prospects." 

The  Association  was  so  highly  ])leased  with  their 
encam]jmcnt  at  Jerusalem  church  that  they  decided  to 
meet  there  again  in  1853.  Isaac  R.  Bass  was  to  preach 
the  introductory  sermon,  J.  J.  S.  Miles  being  his  alter- 
nate. The  pastors  in  the  union  were:  W.  R.Butler, 
W.  Byars,  W.  H.  Hatsell,  J.  L.  Hines,  William  Denson, 
J.  Rushing,  J.  Merchant,  J.J.  S.  Miles,  I.  R.  Bass,  H. 
Hill,  A.  Goss,  and  J.  S.  Antley.  The  churches  of  the 
Associcition  had  an  aggregate  of  about  1,200  members. 

In  1855,  John  Rushing  was  moderator.  The  Ex- 
■■ecutive  Board,  appointed  at  that  meeting  of  the  body, 
had  John  Rushing  as  chairman,  and  J.  M.  Lewis  as 
secretai'v.  Their  first  meeting  was  held  at  Jerusalem 
•church  in  March,  1856.  Three  missionaries  were  put 
in  the  field — J.  Lawrence,  W.  S.  Rushing,  and  William 
Denson.  Lawrence  tilled  a  station  at  Coleman's  Mill, 
ten  miles  southeast  of  Brandon.  Rushing's  work  was 
in  Neshoba  and  Attala  counties.  Denson  was  at  Shoc- 
•colo,  a  place  that  has  now  faded  off  the  map  of  the 
State.  Emphasis  was  placed  by  the  Board  on  the  Bible 
iigency,  and  $23.25  was  raised  for  this  cause. 

The  Association  of  1856  met  with  the  Pleasant  Hill 


HISTORY     OK     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  825 

church  ot  Lcrike  c()iint\'.  John  Rushin,;^^  was  chosen 
moderator,  J.  M.  Lewis,  clerk,  and  W.  W.  FAy,  treas- 
nrer.  The  flays  Creek  church  was  received  into  the 
union.  Correspondence  was  received  from  the  Mount 
Pisgah  Association  and  the  General  Association  of 
Southeast  Mississi])])i. 

"The  Crreat  Iron  Wheel,"  by  j.  K.  (iraves,  and  "Or- 
chard's History  of  the  Baptists"  .were  recommended  to 
be  read  and  circulated.  The  treasurer's  re])ort  showed 
that  the  aggregate  amoimt  he  had  received  was 
$334..33. 

Their  meeting  in  1837  was  with  the  IVlahatchie 
church.  September  26th.  The  t)fficers  of  the  previous 
year  were  re-elected.  The  Union  church,  Attala  county, 
w^as  received  into  the  body.  The  Association  was 
cheered  and  animated  l)y  the  presence  of  a  number  of 
men  representing  the  general  interests  of  Baptists  in 
the  State.  They  were:  C.  S.  xMcLeod,  Benjamin  Whit- 
field, and  George  Whitfield  of  the  Central  Association; 
and  R.  D.  Middleton  of  the  Strong  River.  Benjamin 
Whitfield,  Sr.,  wished  to  speak  in  behalf  of  Mississippi 
College,  and  C.  S.  McLeod  to  represent  the  claims  of 
Central  Female  Institute.  Their  desires  were  gratified. 
Whitfield  s])oke  at  10 : 30  a.  m.,  Monday,  after  which 
the  following  resolutions  were  adopted  : 

"1st,  Resolved,  That  we  highly  ap])rove  of  the 
effort  that  has  l)een  made  by  the  trustees  of  Mississippi 
College  at  Clinton  to  endow  that  institution,  and  of 
that  which  they  are  now  making  to  raise  a  building 
fund. 

2(1,  Resolved,  That  we  recommend  the  same  to  the 
favorable  consideration  of  our  brethren  and  the  friends 
of  education  within  our  l)ounds." 

T.  B.  Barnett,  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Pub- 


82(i  IIISTDRY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTKSTS. 

lications,  offered  preamble  and  seven  resolutions  on  the 
Aiississippi  Baptist.  It  ^vas  deelared  "an  able  and 
faithful  origan  of  our  denomination  in  the  State,"  and 
Avas  hailed  with  unfeij^nd  deliiJ;ht,  endorsed,  and  prom- 
ised full  support. 

The  year  1857  was  the  wet  3'ear  of  that  decade  in 
Central  Aiississippi.  The  constant  down-pour  of  rain 
interferred  with  all  outdoor  work.  Consequently  the 
Executive  Board  had  only  a  short  report  to  make  of 
the  labors  of  their  missionaries.  Twelve  had  been  re- 
ceievd  on  missionary  fields,  by  baptism.  The  report 
on  finances  showed  that  they  had  contributed  that  3^ear 
to  Domestic,  Foreign,  Indian,  China,  and  African  mis- 
sions, and  to  Sustentation  and  associational  missions. 

The  session  of  iSo.S  was  held  with  the  church  at 
Thomastown,  beginning"  on  Saturday  before  the  fourth 
Sunday  in  September.  The  revival  spirit  was  in  the 
churches  and  the  good  ne%vs  from  churches  had  a  good 
effect  on  the  annual  meeting.  The  introductory  sermon 
w^as  preached  by  P.  F.  Morehead  of  Bdinburg.  William 
Denson  was  chosen  moderator,  N.  J.  Nichols,  clerk,  and 
W.  W.  Ely,  treasurer.  The  Association  received  three 
churches.  New  Hope,  Scott  county,  Pleasant  Grove  of 
Leake,  and  Prospect  of  Scott  county.  The  organiza- 
tion was  then  composed  of  thirty-five  churches. 

Two  pleasant  visitors  at  this  session  were  J.  N. 
IJrner,  President  of  Mis.sissijjjji  Colelge,  and  Walter 
Hillman,  President  of  Central  Female  Institute.  Dr. 
Hillman  preached  for  them  and  was  highly  compliment- 
ed. S.  J.  Antley  was  acting  as  agent  for  Central  Fe- 
male In.stitute,  and  the  school  was  becoming  very  pop- 
ular in  that  part  of  the  State.  President  Urner  was 
well   received. 

The  next    meetimjf   was   at   Havs   Creek   church    in 


HISTORY     OF     MISSIvSSIPPI      HAPTISTS.  827 

Scott  county.     The  introductorv  sennon  was  ])reached 
by  S.J.  Antiey. 

The  church  at  P'elahatchie  was  havinij  ti'ouble. 
Just  what  it  was  is  not  known,  but  {|uite  a  nunibei"  ot 
its  members  had  been  excluded  from  fellowship  in  the 
body.  The  excluded  members  felt  that  they  had  been 
dealt  with  unjustly.  They  appealed  to  the  Association 
with  a  lengthy  document  for  vindication  and  a  relief 
from  reproach.  The  situation  was  of  sufficient  gravity 
to  justif}^  the  Association  in  appointing  a  good 
committee  to  hear  their  grievance.  The  committee, 
with  becoming  gravity,  and  after  due  delil)eration, 
wisely  reported  to  the  Associiition,  that  their  body 
had  no  jurisdiction  over  tlie  churches  that  composed 
it. 

\V,  AI.  Fiirrar  was  at  the  meeting,  representing  the 
Mississippi  Baptist.  He' was  one  of  the  best  agent.s 
that  we  have  had  in  our  State.  He  was  allowed  twen- 
ty-five  minutes  to  speak  in  favor  of  the  State  paper,  af- 
ter which  the  Baptist  was  heartiW  endorsed. 

A  resolution  was  passed  at  that  meeting  insisting 
that  a  missionary  be  employed  for  all  his  time  to  labor 
in  the  destitute  places  of  their  territory  at  a  salary  of 
$600.00  a  year.  They  were  rapidly  occupying  the 
"s\'aste  places  in  their  bounds,  but  the  time  was  short 
before  the  opening  of  the  Civil  War.  Isaac  B.  Law- 
rence was  recjuested  to  report  at  the  next  sitting  of  the 
bod}'  as  to  the  work  done  among  the  ))lacks.  The 
greatest  dilligence  was  shown  before  the  war  l)y  all  our 
associations  in  providing  j^reaching  and  looking  after 
the  spiritual  condition  of  the  negroes.  This  shows  an 
answer  to  the  (juestion  as  to  why  so  many  ot"  our  col- 
ored peo])le  are,  at  ]ircsent,  Baptists.  H.  Hill  was  still 
a  missionarv,  under   the   directions   of  their  Executive 


828  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Bojird,  and  was  still  dis])layin<i  his  wonted  zeal  in  the 
Master's  cause. 

The  Association  of  1860  met  at  New  Prospect 
church,  Rankin  county. 

Throui^h  the  years  of  the  Civil  War,  as  has  been 
stated  in  the  history  of  other  Associations,  little  was 
ttndertaken  by  our  deliberative  Ijodies.  That  was  not 
the\vorst  effect  of  that  civil  strife  upon  our  religious  in- 
stitutions. The  war  swept  away  the  fortunes  of  the 
Christian  men,  who  were  foremost  in  every  good  work 
before  its  coming;  cruelly  tore  from  our  churches  some 
of  their  best  members,  who  were  hurried  in  bloody  g^ar- 
nient  on  the  sanguinary  held  of  1)attle,  and  paralyzed 
the  energies  of  the  leaders  in  thought  and  action. 

In  1866, Elder  William  AIcMurtry  wascommisioned 
by  the  Harmony  Association  as  their  missionary  to  la- 
bor in  the  destitute  places  in  their  bounds..  He  was 
l3lesse(l  in  his  labors.  In  December,  1866,  he  reported 
that  fortA'-four  had  been  received  by  baptism  in  the 
churches  with  which  he  had  labored.  But  there  was 
no  money  in  hand  for  his  sup])ort.  The  Board,  in 
March,  1867,  appealed  to  the  churches  in  vain  for  the 
wanted  help.  Their  petitions  were  turned  to  the  Do- 
mestic Board  at  Marion,  Ala.,  with  better  effect.  This 
appeal  secured  for  them  the  sum  of  $72.49,  and  enabled 
them  to  carry  on  their  work. 

In  1867,  there  were  twenty-nine  churches  in  the 
union.  We  will  review  the  condition  of  some  of  these 
churches  at  that  time.  Brandon  church  was  represent- 
ed in  the  Association  by  J.  H.  Whitfield  and  Joseph 
Hudnall,  and  had  dismissed  forty-four  colored  mem- 
bers that  thev  might  form  a  church  of  their  own.  A. 
Marshall  and  J.  Hickman  were  among  the  delegates 
from  Doak's  Creek.     Mt.  Pisg:ah   sent   to  the  Associa- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  829 

tion  as  representatives,  C.  C.  Gorhani  and  S.  C.  Bil- 
linj^sly.  New  Prospect  was  not  represented.  Pela- 
hatehie  was  represented  b^^  William  M.  Taylor  and 
G.  G.  Brown, with  William  Robinson  as  pastor,  Thom- 
astown  sentasmesseno^ersto  the  body,  William  McMur- 
try  and  Green  Allen.  The  Mars  Hill  and  the  Prosj^ect 
churches  had  dissolved.  Salem  church  of  Leake' c(mntv 
was  received  into  the  body. 

At  that  meeting  the  Christian  lT'cTtc7j«3//w, published 
at  Jackson,  was  commended  to  liberal  patronaj^je.  The 
committee  on  missions  recjuested  the  preachers  to  look 
out  the  places  of  destitution,  and  try  to  supply  them, 
and  the  churches  requested  to  help  them  in  missionao' 
work.  The  treasurer  rej^orted  $260.94  as  the  total 
amount  received  by  him  at  that  meeting-. 

In  lcS68,  the  Harmony  met  with  the  Centre  Hill 
churcli  in  Leake  county,  in  the  Methodist  church  house. 
Seven  of  the  churches  were  not  represented.  The  vear, 
186S,  it  has  been  observed,  has  been  the  critical  time  of 
all  our  i.ssociations.  Some  have  passed  it  with  bound- 
ing spirits,  but  most  of  them  have  not  regained  the  use- 
fulness ot  ante-l)ellum  days  until  1890. 

The  following  resolution,  adoi)ted  in  18(38,  deserves 
special  notice: 

Resolved,  that  this  Association  return  its  unfeigned 
thanks  to  our  much  esteemed  l)rother,  W.  W.  Elcv.  for 
the  faithful  and  efficient  manner  he  has  served  this  As- 
sociation as  treasurer  from  its  organization  to  the  pres- 
ent time.""  This  resolutio.i  was  timely.  W.  W.  Eley 
was  still  living,  and  was  a  delegate  to  that  meeting  of 
the  organization  from  Good  Hope  church,  Leake  coun- 
ty. Praising  the  dead  is  one  of  our  habits  not  to  be 
discouraged,  but  why  not  praise  the  living  as  well,  and 
let  them  know  that  their  labors  of  love  are  viewed  with 


S'SO  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

iipprcciation.  We  have  many  tjood  people  with  us, 
whose  natures  wish  and  really  need  the  touch  of  en- 
couraging" lingers  on  their  elbows,  and  timely  \^■()rds  as 
full  hone\'^-eomb  to  the  weary. 

That  prince  of  agents,  C.  C.  Eager,  ^vas  Avith  the 
Harmony  Association  in  1869.  He  spoke  before  the  or- 
ganization in  the  interests  of  Mississippi  College,  and 
received  a  collection  in  cash  and  subscriptions  amount- 
ing to  $38.50. 

A  new  feature  was  manifested  at  the  meeting  of 
1869.  On  Sunday  after  a  cash  collection  had  been  taken 
amounting  to  $78.30  for  their  home  work,  the  sum  of 
$1,370.00  was  realized  as  an  endowment  fund  for  their 
associational  missions,  with  interest  at  ten  per  cent  to 
be  paid  annually.  The  novelty  of  the  movement  has 
■caused  the  writer  to  turn  quickly  to  the  minutes  of  the 
succeeding  year  to  see  Avhat  it  brought  in  for  the  cause. 
Only  this  was  found:  The  Executive  Board  has  an 
item  to  report  $89.30  collected  for  Home  missions,  and 
in  teres  on  pnrt  of  said  amount,  $7.00. 

That  holy  fire-brand,  James  Nelson,  was  in  the  As- 
sociation of  1870.  He  preached  on  Sundav  at  one 
O'clock,  it  is  said, "to  a  large  audience,  and  was  listened 
to  with  great  interest."'  He  was  a  man  of  great  power 
because  he  was  a  man  of  prayer.  He  went  from  weary 
knees  to  the  pulpit  with  a  face  aglow,  a  rc^diance  got- 
ten in  conmmnion  with  God.  Strange  it  is  that  God's 
embassadors  do  not  always  go  to  him,  not  only  for  a 
message  to  carr\',  but  power  to  deliver  it,  irresistible. 

In  the  year  1870,  a  short  obituary  notice  was 
placed  in  their  minutes  of  Joseph  S.  Antley.  The  short 
notice  was  in  a  preamble  and  two  resolutions.  What 
was  said  was  timely  and  sufticienth'  choice,  but 
it  was  about  Joseph  S.  Antley  it  was  said.      Why  not 


HISTUKV     OF     MISSISSIPPI     15APT1STS.  831 

more?  He  wiis  their  sueeesstul,  lieaven-tavored  inis- 
sionarv.  The  success  of  liis  hil)ors  in  destitute  places 
was  the  ^lory  of  the  Harmony.  Xothiiiii  done  in  the 
history  of  the  organization  shines  with  a  clearer  trans- 
jjarency  than  the  unselfish  display  ol  zeal  manifested  by 
losejjh  S.  Antley. 

In  1870,  the  following  churches  had  nn  re]H"esenta- 
tives  in  the  meeting  of  the  Association,  Brandon.  Beth- 
€sda.  Liberty,  Pelahatchie,  and  Pleasant  Hill.  All  of 
the  names  of  the  old  ministers  active  in  the  early  days 
of  the  body  had  faded  from  the  list  of  delegates  but  the 
name  of  William  McMurtry.  J.  P.  Hickman,  yet  living 
and  useful,  was  among  the  delegates  fi  om  Doak's 
Creek.  The  Densons  rei)resented  Jerusalem  church, 
W.  B.  Kobl)ins,  Xew  Prospect,  and  the  Billjros,  Reho- 
both  church.  There  ^vere  twenty-six  churches  in  the 
union,  having  an  aggregate  meml)ershi]j  of  1,233. 

Between  1S70  and  1S<S(),  the  Harmony  received  no 
reports  on  temperance.  The  churches  were  all  in  the 
country,  where  tae  sentiment  ofthe  people  was  against 
habits  of  dissipation,  and  at  some  remove  from  oi)cn 
saloons.  Tiic  counties  of  Rankin  and  Leake,  in  which 
the  majority  of  their  churches  were  located,  readily  ac- 
cepted local  option  among  the  hrst  in  the  State.  This 
result  was  obtained  without  any  great  agitation  of  the 
j)eoj)le  on  the  subject. 

The  leading  members  ofthe  Association  in  this  ]3e- 
riod  had  recommended  to  them,  year  by  year,  such  re- 
ligi(jus  newspapers  and  ])fimi)lilets  as  Ford's  Chnsti/in 
Repository,  The  Baptist  of  AIem])his,  77?c  \\'orkini>- 
Christian  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  Kind  Words,  The  Home 
and  Foreign  Journnl,  and  The  ()r/)han's  Home  Banner. 
In  iSTo,  The  Baptist  Battle  Flag  was  idso  commend- 
ed.    In  1S77,  The  Baptist  Reeord,thc  organ  of  the  Bap- 


832  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

tist  State  Convention,  which  l)e^'an  ])ul)Hcation  that 
year;  and  The  Southern  Baptist  otWIeridian,  were  add- 
ed to  the  Hst.  Their  report  on  pubHeations  of  1879,  af- 
ter a  favorable  mention  of  The  Baptist,  The  Examiner 
and  Chronicle  of  New  York,  and  The  Southern  Baj)tist, 
put  special  emphasis  on  their  approval  of  The  Baptist 
Record.  It  was  said  that  the  Harmony  Association 
was  an  acknowledged  component  part  of  .the  Baptist 
State  Convention,  and  thttt  The  Record  was  the 
adopted  organ  of  that  bod3%  and  was,  therefore,  to  be 
supported  by  Lhem.  The  following  3'ear  The  Record 
Avas  equally  as  well  endorsed. 

The  Sunday  School  interests  of  the  body  were,  as  is 
usual  in  the  Associations  composed  largely  of  country 
churches.  One  who  has  not  been  connected  with  a  Sun- 
day School  in  the  countrj^  has  a  verj^  inadequate  con- 
ception of  such  church  work.  The  church  usually  has 
preaching  but  once  a  month.  If  there  are  any  inviting- 
or  extra  exercises  at  a  church  a  few  miles  away,  where 
there  is  to  be  a  large  gathering,  it  is  next  to  an  impossi- 
bility to  induce  the  young  people  to  den}^  themselves 
the  pleasure  of  attending  such  exercises,  and  go  to  their 
SundaA^  School.  The  Harmon}^  Association  had  an- 
nual reports  on  Sunday  Schools,  but  no  Sunday  School 
Conventions.  Few  of  the  chui-ches.in  their  letters  to  the 
Association,  reported  Sunday  Schools,  but  the  churches 
are  ver}^  careless  as  to  what  they  put  into  their  Asso- 
ciational  letters. 

In  this  period,  the  Harmony  Association  showed 
itself  a  good  friend  to  our  educational  institutions  and 
to  Ministerial  Education.  In  1871,  their  report  on 
Mississip[)i  College  spoke  of  the  financial  embarrass- 
ment of  the  College  at  the  time  and  the  effort  being- 
made  through  M.  T,  Martin  to  liquidate  its  indel^ted- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  833 

ness,  with  an  implied  willingness  to  aid  in  the  work. 
In  1872,  two  young  ministers  of  their  churches  were  in 
school  preparing  themselves  for  their  life's  work;  P.  H. 
Bilbro  was  at  Fannin  Academy  and  A.Cockroft  was  at 
Mississippi  College.  This  fact  created  an  interest  in 
Ministerial  Education.  The  following  year,  the  report 
of  the  finance  committee  showed  the  receipt  of  $20.00 
for  Ministerial  Education,  and  that  year  pledges  were 
made  to  the  cause  amounting  to  $82.75.  The  interest 
was*kept  up  through  the  period.  In  1880,  there  was  a 
cash  contribution  reported  amounting  to  $30.75  and  a 
suljscription  taken  of  $70.00. 

The  annual  reports  jjlaced  before  them  on  missions 
were  usually  instructive  and  meant  to  be  nothing  more. 
Few  recommendations  were  made.  The  financial  state- 
ments showed  that  contributions  were  made  to  For- 
eign missions.  But  the  historian  is  char\'  in  giving  fi- 
nancial statements  of  an  association.  They  would  be 
misguiding.  The3^  do  not  show  the  contributions  of  the 
churches  to  the  various  objects  of  benevolence,  l)ut  only 
what  the  financial  committee  and  the  treasurer  receive 

In  1875,  the  work  of  State  Missions  was  given 
sjjeeial  notice  in  preaml)les  and  resolution.  The  ])re- 
ambles  recited  the  fiicts  that  the  State  Convention  had 
luidertaken  to  do  a  general  mission  work  in  the  State, 
that  a  board  had  been  formed  of  judicious  men,  that 
there  were  large  districts  of  our  territory  destitute  of 
the  gos])el,  and  that  they  were  asked  to  aid  in  this  gen- 
eral work.  They  resolved  to  co-operate  with  the  State 
Mission  Board.  In  liS79,  T.  J.  Walne.the  Correspond- 
ing Secretary  of  the  Board,  was  with  them  and  created 
some  enthusiasm  in  this  work  and  received  a  collection 
amounting  to  $57.05.  In  ISSO,  co-operation  with  the 
State  Board  w£is  ])le(lged,  and  $191.50  realized  in  casK 
and  ]:)ledges. 


S34  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     15APTISTS. 

The  Executive  Board,  in  1871,  had  employed  as 
lTlissionar^^  J.  AI.  Pearson.  He  began  his  labors  in 
August  of  the  year  previous  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
•old  Pleasant  Grove  church,  and  constituted  a  church  of 
twenty-two  members,  called  the  New  Hope  church. 
He  met  with  encouragement  everywhere.  The  Beth- 
•esda,  the  Brandon,  the  Liberty,  and  the  Salem  church 
were  not  represented  at  the  Association,  and  the  Pela- 
hatchie  reported  onh^  six  members. 

In  1872,  M.  B.  Maum  rode  as  missionary  for  four 
months.  He  found  great  destitution,  l3ut  met  with 
■encouragement.  A  missionary  was  needed  in  the  field 
for  his  full  time.  In  1874,  the  finance  committee  re- 
ceived $89. -tS  for  their  home  work,  and  the  amount  of 
$133.50  was  pledged  to  be  paid  during  the  associa- 
tional  year.  The  following  year  they  had.  no  mission- 
ary in  the  field,  but  McMurtry,  Barrett  and  Cockroft 
preached  at  destitute  plac'es.  In  1877,  the  Executive 
•Committee  had  no  report  printed  in  their  Alinutes,  and 
for  the  next  two  A-ears  little  interest  was  shown  in 
^ssociational  missions.  In  1880,  they  were  in  close 
"CO-operation  with  the  State  Mission  Board. 

From  1874  to  1877,  the  Harmony  Association  was 
<deep  in  trouble.  In  1874,  the  Stump  Bridge  church 
applied  for  membership  in  their  union,  which  created  a 
commotion  not  unlike  the  losing  of  Samson's  foxes. 
A  convention  had  been  called  to  reconcile  the  warring 
elements  in  Doak's  Creek,  and,  it  was  thought,  a  com- 
promise effected.  The  Doak's  Creek  church  had  been 
divided  into  two  factions,  the  "Barnett  party"  and  the 
"Wales  part\^,''  over  a  variance  as  to  some  realty. 
The  Doak's  Creek  church  had  been  divided,  and  the 
Stump  Bridge  church  was  a  product  of  the  trouble. 
The  convention  ^vhich   met  at  the  Jerusalem  church  in 


HISTORY     t)F     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  833 

August,  1S73,  perfected  a  compromise  between  the 
Baptists  affected  by  the  controvers}',  and  the  Stump 
Bridge  church  ventured  to  seek  admittance  into  the 
Harmony  Association  in  1S74-. 

D.J.  Barnett,  in  behalf  of  the  Doak's  Creek  church, 
resented  the  prayer  of  the  Stump  Bridge  church,  on  the 
grounds  that  it  was  disorderly  in  practice,  as  it  had 
received  members  baptized  b}^  the  "Wales  party'' 
during  the  existence  of  the  difficulties  in  the  Doak's 
Creek  church  before  the  meeting  of  the  convention;  and 
at  the  re(|uest  of  the  "  Wales  party  '"  two  deacons  had 
been  ordained  of  their  party.  This  action  was  taken 
Saturday  afternoon,  and  a  final  decision  of  the  matter 
Avas  deferred  until  9:30  a.  m.  Monday. 

At  the  ])roper  hour  the  iipplication  of  the  Stump 
Bridge  church  was  presented  for  consideration.  To 
prevent  unpleasant  and  unprofitable  discussion,  the 
previous  (juestion  was  called,  which  brought  the  body 
to  a  vote  at  once.  The  application  was  sustained  by  a 
vote  of  2N  to  IS.  Then  the  point  of  order  was  insisted 
upon  that,  as  it  was  a  matter  of  fellowship,  the  vote  to 
receive  the  church  should  be  unanimous.  It  was  argued 
ns  a  rebuttal  that  the  case  was  peculiar  in  that  the 
existence  of  the  Stump  Bridge  church  was  in  compliance 
Avith  the  terms  of  the  compromise  effected  at  Jerusalem 
church,  and  that  only  a  majority  was  re([uisite.  The 
chair  coolly  decided  that  a  unanimous  vote  was  neces- 
sary to  receive  a  c]inro!i  into  an  association.  An  ap- 
peal was  taken  and  the  leeision  ot  the  chair  ()\-erruled, 
and  the  Stump  Bri<lge  declared  l)y  tiu-  moderator  to  lie 
.a  member  of  the  body. 

The  confusion  in  the  meeting  caused  complications. 
T.  H.  Boyd  called  for  a  letter  of  dismission  from  the 
bodv,    and    asked    that   hv   and  G.  W.  Davis   might  be 


836  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

excused  from  further  attendance  upon  the  exercises  of 
the  session.  His  request  was  granted.  But  it  was  in 
the  afternoon  that  the  storm-burst  came.  P.  H.  Bilbro 
arose  with  cahn  composure  and  asked  that  the  delegates- 
from  the  fohowing-named  churches  might  he  permitted 
to  retire — Rehoboth,  Good  Hope  (Leake  county),  Beth- 
lehem, Hfiys  Creek,  Doak's  Creek  and  Friendship. 

A  manly  effort  was  then  made  by  J.  N.  Denson  to 
hold  the  body  together.  He  represented  the  Jerusalem 
church.  He  said  some  desired  that  the  body  should 
consider  its  action  in  the  matter,  and  that  if  the  ques- 
tion could  be  considered  on  its  merits  they  would  re- 
turn to  the  Association.  Denson  then  made  the  motion 
to  reconsider  the  cjuestion,  which  was  duly  seconded. 
But  upon  the  statement  of  I.  N.  Nichols  in  behalf  of  the 
Doak's  Creek  church  that  they  would  withdraw  with- 
out any  further  contest,  the  motion  to  reconsider  was 
withdrawn.  T.  E.  Morris,  moderator,  inember  of  the 
Good  Hope  church  (Leake  county),  one  of  the  affected 
churches,  tendered  his  resignation.  Berry  Bill^ro,  their 
clerk  and  treasurer,  member  of  the  Rehoboth  church, 
also  resigned  his  position.  Their  resignations  were  ac- 
cepted, and  a  temporarA'  organization  formed. 

This  much  space  is  given  to  the  disturbance  in  the 
Harmony  Association,  as  it  is  the  most  noted  of  all  the 
disturbances  in  the  associations  of  Mississippi,  and  it 
gave  rise  to  the  Mt.  Olive  Association,  now  classed 
among  our  dead  associations.  In  1877,  the  Good 
Hope  church  asked  the  l)ody  for  certain  conditions  as. 
to  the  manner  of  receiving  the  Stump  Bridge  church, 
and  the  good  old  tortured  1)ody  expressed  sorrow  for 
the  manner  of  the  reception,  Init  not  for  the  reception 
of  that  far-famed  church. 

The  thirtv-third   annual   session   of  the  bedv  was 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  837 

full  of  interest.  It  is  well  rememberecl  by 
the  writer  who  was  present,  and  enjoN^ed  the 
proceedino:s.  X.  L.  Clark  and  J.  B.  Gambreil  were  also 
visitors  at  that  meetint^  of  the  body.  T.  E.  Morris  pre- 
sided over  the  body  and  A.  J.  Coekroft  was  their  scribe. 
They  assembled  with  the  Carthaii'e  church,  in  Leake 
-county. 

The  body,  at  that  time,  corresponded  with  the  Kos- 
ilisko.  Central,  Sprin*j:fiel(l,  Choctaw,  and  VazooAsso- 
■ciations.  And  at  that  session  correspondence  was 
opened  with  the  General  Association,  and  it  was  agreed 
to  co-operate  with  that  body  in  mission  work  amonu^ 
the  Indians  of  that  State. 

Their  report  on  missions  was  read  by  John  P.Hick- 
man. At  the  close  of  its  discussion  a  general  collection 
was  taken.  Every  one  contributing  walked  to  the 
front  of  the  puljjit  and  put  his  contrilnition  on  the 
table;  the  white  peopie  first,  then  the  Indians,  and  then 
the  negroes.  It  was  a  collection  for  Missions,  given  by 
Caucasiiins,  Africans,  find  American  Aborigines.  The 
churches  sent  to  the  Association  tor  State  missions 
$196.80,  and  pledged  to  that  worthy  object  the  sum  of 
$207.50. 

Little  is  known  of  the  Harmon\-  after  this  meeting 
until  18S7.  Their  meeting  that  year  was  with  the 
Good  IIo])e  church.  W.  P.  Dorrill  was  their  moder- 
fitor,  and  John  P.  HickuKin,  their  clerk.  That  3'ear 
New  Pnion,  Midway,  and  Hopewell  churches  were  re- 
ceived into  the  fraternity.  Their  visitors  were,  J.  T. 
Christian,  representing  the  Convention,  J.  M.  Pearson 
and  T.  1.  Steed,  of  the  Mt.  OHve,  and  J.  J.  \V.  Mathis, 
of  the  Central  .association.  On  their  Minutes  we  also 
find  the  names  of  such  men  as  R.  E.  Melvin,  T.  J. 
Moore,  R.  G.  Barrett,  and  others. 


838  HISTORY   OF    Mississippi    baptists. 

The  Association  at  that  time  was  interesting  itself 
as  to  the  building  ot"  a  new  house  of  worship  in  Car- 
thage. A  readiness  was  expressed  to  unite  with  that 
church  in  the  erection  of  the  edifice,  and  their  churches 
were  urged  to  assist  in  the  work.  The  Carthage 
church  was  requested  to  take  steps  at  once  to  its  ei'ec- 
tion,  by  taking  a  subscription  for  that  purpose. 

The  Pleasant  Hill  church  was  deep  in  trouble.  The 
Harnion3^  had  some  A-ears  before  large  experience  in 
such  a  trouble.  A  committee  of  five  was  asked  by 
the  church  to  aid  them  in  cutting  their  Gordian  knot. 
But  the  Association,  still  sore  from  former  eftbrts  of 
the  kind,  expressed  sympathy  for  the  church,  but  re- 
spectfully declined  another  engagement  of  the  kind. 
Experience  is  a  dear  school,  but  a  good  one. 

Our  next  information  as  to  the  workings  of  the 
bod3' was  in  1892.  The  forty-third  session  of  the  As- 
sociation was  held  that  3'ear,  beginning  on  the  22nd  of 
October.  The  meeting  was  with  Old  Rock^-  F*oint 
church.  W.  P.  Dorrill  was  moderator,  and  T.  J. 
JMoore,  clerk.  An  immense  crowd  had  gathered  to  en- 
J03'   the   occasion. 

Their  Sunciay  exercises  were  conducted  by  W.  H.  H. 
Fancher,  W.  E.  Dear,  and  H.  M.  Long.  The  clerk  has 
this  to  say  of  the  sermon  preached  by  H.  M.  Long,  at 
2  p.  m.:  "Despite  the  dullness  of  the  congregation  occa- 
sioned by  them  having  just  enjoyed  so  abundant  and 
rare  dinner,  he  succeeded  in  gaining  and  retaining  the 
entire  attention  and  interest." 

At  that  time  there  were  27  churches  in  the  organi- 
zation with  an  aggregate  of  611  members.  The  treas- 
urer paid  to  J.  T.  Christian  $79.75  for  Missions;  to  J. 
I*.  Hickman  for  mission  work  $25.00,  and  to  J.  T. 
Christian  $13.50  for  Ministerial  Education. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     HAPTISTS.  839 

In  tlic  report  of  the  committee  on  Obituaries  is  a 
notice  of  the  death  of  E.  T.  Barnett.  He  (lied  at  his 
home  in  Leake  county,  near  Wahiut  Grove,  on  Julv  9, 
1(S92.  It  is  said  of  him  that  he  was  "a  zealous,  con- 
sistent menil)er  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  a  faithful 
minister  of  the  t>"ospel,"  and  that  he  "was  a  good  man, 
anfloneofthe  strongest  pillars  of  this  Association.'' 
It  is  only  to  be  regretted  that  more  was  not  said  of 
this  good  man's  life.  He  was  one  of  the  best  men  of 
the  Harmony  Association. 

The  forty-seventh  annual  session  of  the  Harmony 
was  held  with  Alt.  Carmel  church.  T.  E.  Morris  was 
their  moderator,  and  T.  J.  Moore,  clerk.  Thev  held 
these  positions  respectively  to  the  close  of  the  ccnturv. 
Reports  were  usually  read  on  Sunday  Schools,  Mis- 
sions, Woman's  Work,  Temperance,  State  of  Religion, 
Publications,  Ministerial  Education  and  MississijDpi 
College,  ()l)ituaries,  Nominations,  and  Queries  and  Re- 
quests. 

The  committee  of  seven  apjjointed  in  lS9o  to  select 
an  eligiljle  point  for  the  location  of  a  high  school,  re- 
ported in  1897  that  they  had  decided  that  Lena  was 
the  best  i)lace  for  the  institution  of  learning.  Special 
prayer  was  then  made  to  the  l)ountilul  (iiver  of  all 
good  for  guidance  "in  the  founding  and  maintaining  of 
this  enterprise."  A.  L.  Morris,  C.  vS.  Home,  W.  C. 
Sessum,  T.J.  Meador,  and  T.J.  .Moore,  were  made  the 
trustees  of  the  high  school. 

The  following  year,  the  trustees  had  a  long  rejjort 
to  mrdve  fis  to  the  interest  of  their  iiigh  school.  Thev 
had  decided  that  the  institution  should  h.vvc  a  jjresi- 
dent.  Negotiations  were  begun  with  Profs.  Caden- 
head  and  Ilendrick,  who  were  employed  as  co-princi- 
pals   of   this  school.     .Miss   (lulledge    was   their  music 


840  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

teacher.  The  matriculation  was  very  gratifying  in- 
deed. In  1899,  William  Webb  Venable  had  charge  of 
the  school,  and  was  assisted  l^y  Misses  Zella  Sla\'  and 
May  Chaml)ers.  It  was  said  of  the  faculty  that  "for 
enthusiasm,  industry-,  and  thoroughness  of  instruction, 
the  present  faculty  would  be  hard  to  surpass.'"  The 
name  ot  the  school  is  The  Harmony  Baptist   Institute. 

In  1900,  the  local  ])atronage  had  increased  25  per 
cent.  J.  F.  I'arkinson  was  Principal.  He  was  assisted 
by  H.  A.  vStovall,  Miss  Zella  vSlay,  and  Mrs  Bertha 
Parkinson.  Miss  Erwin  Morris  was  their  teacher  of 
music,  and  Aliss  Maud  Chester,  of  elocution.  The 
average  attendance  the  second  month  of  the  session  of 
1900-01  was  95,  with  80  ])oarding  students.  Prof. 
Parkinson  still  has  charge  of  the  school.  The  members 
'of  the  Harmony  Association  are  proud  of  their  school. 
It  is  doing  a  good  work. 

Among  the  reports  of  committees  in  1897,  w^e 
notice  the  statement  that  they  had  no  associational 
mission  work  to  report.  There  were  some  places  in 
their  limits  that  needed  aid.  It  was  suggested  that 
some  suitalile  minister  be  secured  for  one-fourth  of  his 
time  for  their  destitute  fields,  and  that  the  State  Board 
be  re(iuested  to  co-operate  wnth  them  in  their  associa- 
tional work. 

The  following  j^ear  their  Executive  Board  ])ut  be- 
fore the  body  the  report  of  their  missionory,  T.  J. 
Moore.  He  had  labored  at  Tuscola  school  house,  For- 
est Grove,  and  Free  Trade.  A  church  was  constituted 
by  him  called  the  Tuscola  Baptist  Church.  The  new 
church  had  19  members.  They  had  a  subscription  of 
$150.00  toward  the  erection  of  a  house  of  worship. 
Four  joined  the  Plymouth  church  as  a  result  of  a  meet- 
ing held  by  him  at  Free  Trade.     The  following  year,  T. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  841 

J.  Moore  was  continued  as  their  missionary  at  one- 
third  time.  He  kept  up  monthly  appointments  at  Tus- 
cola, and  visited  other  churches.  Ten  were  baptized. 
In  1900,  he  added  Ridge  to  his  list  of  rejjfular  a])point- 
ments.  Kidge  is  about  four  miles  south  of  Walnut 
Grove.  There  were  about  20  Baptists  there,  who 
should  have  regular  ])reaching.  The  third  Sunday  in 
Jidy,  1900,  a  church  was  constituted  there. 

The  session  of  1897  was  held  with  the  Friendship 
church,  Leake  county;  in  "1898,  they  convened  with 
Walnut  Grove  church;  in  1899,  with  Good  Hope,  Mad- 
ison county,  and  in  1900,  with  I'nity  church,  in  Vazoo 
county. 

In  1898,  due  notice  was  taken  of  the  death  of  M. 
T.-  Martin.  He  was  highly  esteemed  in  the  Harmony 
for  his  work's  sake.  He  had  held  meetings  in  man}-  of 
their  churches,  and  ''in  every  case  strengthening  the 
members  in  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  our  faith,  and 
inspiring  them  to  more  vigorous  work  for  the  Master." 

The  pastors  in  the  Association  in  1899  were  Scott 
York,  A.  B.  Hill,  T.  J.  Moore,  T.  P.  Partridge.  C.  E. 
Hollis,  T.  E.  Morris,  W.  B.  Brantley,  E.  T.  Dendy,  B. 
D.  Cannon,  Allen  Willis.  T.  G.  Ward.  J.  A.Johnson.  W. 
P.  Don-ill,  \V.  S.  Ford,  B.  F.  Miller,  H.  M.  Whitten,  T. 
J.  Moore,  J.  T.  Massey,  and  E.J.  Hitt. 

In  1900,  there  were  29  churches  in  the  Association, 
three  of  which  were  composed  of  Choctaw  Indians. 
These  churches  had  a  total  membership  of  just  1,700. 
The  churches  received  that  year  190  by  baptism,  and 
72  bv  letter. 


842  HISTORY     OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 
bf;thlehp:i\i  association. 

ThivS  association  is  composed  of  churches  in  the 
counties  of  Lauderdale  cind  Clark.  Its  territory,  from 
its  formation,  has  been  in  and  around  Meridian.  The 
churches  in  Meridian  now  belong'  to  the  Chickasahay 
Association,  but  have,  at  one  time  or  another,  belonged 
to  the  Bethlehem.  (Recently,  the  Lauderdale  County 
Association  has  lieen  formed,  and  most  of  the  Meridian 
churches  are  in  it). 

In  August,  1S52,  the  representatives  of  a  number 
of  churches  assembled  at  Oak  Valley  church  to  decide 
on  the  organization  of  a  new  association.  These 
churches  were  of  the  Choctaw  Association.  They 
drew  up  a  Constitution,  Articles  of  P\'uth,  and  Rules  of 
Order,  and  adjourned  to  meet  later  again  in  the  year 
for  organization.  The  second  meeting  w£is  with  the 
Oktililjeha  church  in  November,  1S52,  when  the  Beth- 
lehem Association  was  duly  organized,  W.  V.  Carter 
being  chosen  moderator,  and  W.  \\  White,  clerk. 

The  following  is  a  tabulated  statement  of  the  dates 
of  the  meetings  of  the  body  from  its  constituti(m  in 
18v52  to  iS.S-t,  together  with  the  names  of  the  moder- 


HISTORY     OV     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


843 


ators  elected  annually,  the  clerks,  the  one  who  preached 
the  annual  sermon,  and  the  amount  received  during" 
the  sitting:  of  the  Association: 


Place 


1.S52  Oklibhcha 

1«5J!  Onou  

1.S54  Mt.  (Hk-a'd 

Hepzibali ..    .... 

Hickory  lirove 

Mt.  I'leasatil.. 

IMeasant  Hill.. 

Bethel 

Meridian 

Fellow  stii])    ..  . 

Beaver  Dam.... 

Ml.  I'lea.sant... 

Ml.  Ciilead.    .. 

Bella  Villa  

H  ickorv  drove 

M    ridiaii   

lH(,,SiUnion 

IHt.OlUcutla 

LSTohli.  (;ilead 

LSillEnteritrise 

l.'<72.0iiilinati 


ISSS 
1S.S( 

1S51 
1H5S 

l.s.=-> 

1S(.II 
l.Sdl 

l,S<iS 
LSI  ,4 
l.Mo 
l.S(.l 

IS,.-; 


1.S7.' 
1.S74 
1.S7.S 
I.*s7(. 
1.S77 
1.><7S 
IST'I 
].'<.S(t 
1K«1 

1S83 


Pine  (TroTe.  .  . 
Meridian 

M.irioii    

Mt.  Horeb 

Soueiilovie 

Mt.  Cilead 

Archadelpliia.. 

Marion    

(iood  Water....' 
Kemper  S]>ring 
Cavalry 


W  P  Carter..  .. 

W  P  Carter 

Win  Maiiniiitr. 
K  V  Rasberrv. 

T  .1   Hand 

I)  Sunirall.^ 
Wni  Mannin-r. 
Wni   Manninsr. 

B  V  Willis 

D  P  Better 

J  1)  Kindrick... 

T  .1  Hand 

T  J  Hand 

T  J  Hand 

T.I  Hand 

T J  Hand 

TJ  Hand 

T  J  Hand 

J  B  Haiuber'in 

I  J  Carter 

J  }>  Haniberlin 
J  B  Haniberlin 
J  B  Haniberlin 

R  N  Hall  

R  N  Hall 

C  H  McLeniore 

I.  E  Hall   

L  K  Hall 
J  K  Biunson.... 
.1  E  Hrunsun.... 
.1  E  Briinsoii ... 
J  K  Brunson  ... 


Clerk 


W  V  White. 
W  V  White. 
W  V  While. 
W  V  White. 
W  V  White,. 
W  V  White. 
W  V  White. 
W  \'  While. 
W  V  Whit  . 
W  J  Howze 
W  J  Huwze 
W  J  Howze. 
W  J  Howze  . 
W  .1  Howze  . 
W  J  Howze. 
W  J  Howze  . 
W  J  Howze  . 
W  J  Howze. 
W  .1  Howze  . 
L  A  Duncan 
W  J  Howze  . 
E  .1  Martin  . 
E  J  .Martin  . 
E  J  Martin  . 
K  .1  Martin  , 
E  J  Martin  . 
E  J  Martin  . 
E  J  Martin  . 
E  J  Martin  . 
E  .1  Martin  . 
E  J  Martin  . 
E  J  Martin  . 


lilt  rod  iictorv 


W  P  Carter 

R  V  Kasberry.. 

B  F  Willis 

T J  Hand 

r  H  Bankston. 

iD  Suiiirall 

It  J  Hand 

I  Wni  .Manniiijr.. 

IB  F  Willis 

1)  Siinirall 

k  H  Camp.  

T  J  Hand.. 

S  Williams 

J  L  Matthews... 
.1  E  Brunson   ... 

T  J  Hand 

J  L  .Matthews.. 
J  B  Haniberlin 

T  Whitfield  

T  J  Hand.,  

J  A  Hill.. 

T  .1  Hand.. 

S  E  Kobbins  . 

R  N  H.ill 

T   J  Walne 

J  E   Brunson  . . . 

L  E  Hall 

C  E  Brame...    . 

N  L  Clark.  

J  C  Foster 

J  E   Brunson 

J  C  Foster 


Con- 
tribu- 
tions. 


(.0  65 
MS 
420  95 
289  40 
270  30 
no  00 
Ul  20 
122  52 
230  ()5 

85  .SO 
111 
206  85 
332  98 

80  00 

87  00 
109  70 

59  05 
103  35 
131  85 
153  05 
l.=^2  15 
.>05  15 
1,^2  40 
124  10 
111  40 
4.H  90 
(i4l(5 

82  25 
131  70 

83  85 
94  80 

124  ()5 


3  T' 


072. 

812 

832 

985 

1041 

86.> 

1077 

1628- 

1369 

1493 

785 

'•31 

885 

76S 

890 

925 

734 

794 

1081 

1802 

1.350 

1267 

1471 

1321 

151 T 

76+ 

81(f 

968 

1116 

983 

10(H> 

1088 


The  .session  of  1SS4  was  held  with  tlie  Stonewall 
church.  The  officers  of  the  ])rcvious  session  were  re- 
elected. L.  E.  Hall  was  received  as  a  visitor  from  the 
Chickasahay  Association,  H.  A.  Pickard  from  the  Lib- 
erty, J.  M.  Nicholson  from  the  Choctaw,  and  J.  L. 
Blanks,  Jr.,  from  the  ()ktil)beha.  Three  churches  were 
received  into  the  imion — Bay  Si)rini:;s,  Toomsuba  and 
Poplar  Springs. 

The  leading  men  in  the  Association  at  that  time 
were  A.  Gressett,  J.  B.  Brunson,  j.  R.  Steinwinder,  L.J. 
Harrington,  R.  H.  Camp,  and  James  L.  Blanks. 

The   churches  of  the   Association,  in  1SS-4-,  had  an 


S4-4  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

aggregate  membership  of  1,129,  having  received  that 
3'ear  56  by  l^aptism.  There  were  20  churches  in  the 
body. 

The  session  of  1 885  was  held  with  the  Salem  church. 
J.  E.  Brunson  was  again  chosen  moderator,  and  H.  C. 
Carter,  clerk.  The  introductor3'  sermon  ^vas  preached 
by  A.  Gressett.     The  total  membership  was  1,079. 

In  1886,  the  loody  convened  with  the  Souenlovie 
church.  The  officers  of  the  previous  session, were  re- 
elected. 

At  that  time  they  had  an  impression  that  a  meet- 
ing of  the  ministers  and  deacons  of  the  churches  on  the 
fifth  Sundays  would  be  productive  of  great  good. 
Resolutions  were  passed  recommending  the  organiza- 
tion of  a  Fifth  Sunday-  Meeting.  The  first  meeting 
to  be  held  with  the  Cfdvary  church  in  Meridian  on  the 
first  fifth  Sunday  in  1887.  J.  F.  Brunson,  A.  Gressett, 
and  L.  A.  Duncan  were  to  get  up  their  program.  We 
hear  nothing  of  this  meeting.  They  made  a  mistake  by- 
arranging  for  the  first  meeting  to  be  held  in  town.  The 
bod\'  was  almost  exclusiveh'  composed  of  country 
churches.  When  this  is  true,  a  good  representation  of 
the  churches  can  only  be  had  in  a  meeting  held  with 
one  of  the  country  churches. 

The  committee  on  Colportage  recommend  the  ap- 
pointment of  R.  H.  Camp  as  colporter  to  labor  in  the 
bounds  of  the  Association.  He  was  to  visit  families, 
and  furnish  good  literature  at  the  lowest  rates.  He 
was  to  organize  Sunday  Schools,  and  was  allowed  to 
have  regular  preaching  appointments.  The  following 
year,  the  churches  were  asked  to  take  collections  for 
colportage.  There  was,  in  Meridian,  a  colportage  or- 
ganization under  the  management  of  the  General  Asso- 
ciation,   with  \vhich    co-operation    was    sought.    For 


HISTORY    OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  S4-0 

two  or  three  yciirsthc  matter  was  before  the  body,  but 
if  atu'thing  was  done  for  the  eaiise,  it  was  through  the 
General  Association. 

Another  benevolence  was  agitated  in  1887.  Upon 
resolution  presented  by  L.  A.  Duncan,  the  moderator, 
clerk,  and  two  members  of  each  district  of  the  Associa- 
tion, were  to  constitute  an  executive  committee,  whose 
dut^'  it  was  to  be  to  hold  quarterly"  meeting,  transact- 
ing such  business  as  would  inure  to  the  benefit  of  the 
Association.  Nothing  was  said  in  the  Minutes  of  the 
following  year  al)out  this  proposed  onward  movement. 

But  in  1888,  the  body  seemed  serious  as  to  evan- 
gelistic work  in  their  territory.  It  was  asked  that  Jin 
executive  board  of  five  be  appointed  to  secure  an  evan- 
gelist to  labor  with  destitute  churches,  and  that  the 
board  j^rovide  for  his  support.  The  following  year  the 
resolution  was,  in  the  main,  repeated,  but  with  the 
caution  that  the  board  create  no  debt  against  the  As- 
sociation. 

A.  Gressett  was  moderator  in  1887,  and  J.  E. 
Brunson  in  1888  and  1889.  F.  L  Williams  was  clerk 
from  1887  to  1889,  inclusive.  The  session  of  1887  was 
held  with  New  Hope  church,  of  1888  with  Mt.  Gilead, 
and  of  1889  with  Montrose  church. 

In  1892,  their  missionary  committee  reported  that 
G.  W.  Knight  had  done  work  for  them  £is  evangelist. 
After  paying  him  for  his  service  the  committee  hjid  on 
hand  $75.05.  It  was  resolved  that  this  amount  be  ex- 
pended in  theemploA'ment  of  pastors  to  occupy  destitu- 
tion in  their  bounds.  The  following  year  Pickanl  and 
Culpe])per  were  under  the  direction  of  the  committee. 
H.  A.  Pickard  had  laljored  at  Siding  and  Wanita,  and 
W.  S.  Culi)ep])er  at  Russells.  After  these  evangelists 
were  i)aid,   the  committee  had  on    hand    $83.25.     Of 


S46  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

this  anu)nnt,  the  T()omsul)a  church  was  to  receive  $8.25 
to  iiid  in  iDuildin^i^  a  house  of  worship,  and  H.  A. 
Pickanl  was  to  receive  $25.00  for  his  services  as  mis- 
sionary. 

In  1S94-,  the  small  sum  of  $6.93  was  reported  asre- 
<jeived  from  only  two  churches  for  their  missions-  It 
Avas  ordered  that  this  amount  be  sent  to  the  General 
Association  for  Indian  missions.  A  numl)er  of  S])eeches 
"were  made  on  their  mission  held,  and  a  collection  taken 
for  missions  amounting  to  $16.00. 

In  1892  and  1893,  J.  E.  Brunson  was  moderator. 
In  1894-,  J.  D.  Stone  was  chosen  to  preside  over  the 
iDody.  J.  L.  Williams  was  clerk  from  1892  to  1894,  in- 
clusive. J.  L.  Williams  acted  also  as  treasurer.  The 
session  of  1892  was  held  with  New  Prospect  church;  of 
1893,  with  Mt  Horeb;  of  1894,  with  Salem  ch..rch, 
and  of  1895,  with  Montrose  church. 

In  1896,  the  Executive  Board  reported  that  they 
had  held  four  Fifth  Sunday  meetings,  and  had  for  col- 
portage  purposes  $16.97,  which,  \vith  amount  from 
the  3'ear  before,  made  a  total  of  $26.97.  J.  M,  Phillips 
had  done  colportage  work  in  their  bounds  chiefly  under 
the  direction  of  the  Chickasahay  Association,  but  by 
their  consent,  and  with  their  co-operation.  The  amount 
on  hand,  $26.97,  was  directed  to  be  placed  in  the 
hands  of  L.  A.  Duncan  for  the  co-operative  work. 

In  1896,  there  were  20  churches  in  the  fraternity 
with  a  total  membership  of  1,084.  In  1899,  the  Asso- 
cicition  had  in  it  21  churches  with  an  aggregate  mem- 
bership of  1,345.  In  1896,  their  total  receipts  were 
$143.83:   in  1899,  $176.01. 

This  Association  has  had  a  sprightly  existence.  Its 
churches  are  nearly  all  in  the  country,  and  their  mem- 
l)ers  rich  only  in  grace  and  largeness  of  soul.  ALay  the 
Child  of  Bethlehem,  ever  be  their  hope  and  stay. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  847 


CHAPTER    XII. 

UILOXl    ASSOCIATION. 

This  l)o(ly  of  B.'i])tists  liad  a  distinct  and  lonely  ex- 
istence. It  was  formed  of  churches  alont?  the  Missis- 
sippi Sound,  which  had  no  connection  with  the  Pearl 
Kivcr  Association,  which  o])erated  west  and  north- 
west of  it.     It  was  a  limited  invStitution. 

We  learn  that  as  early  as  1<S3(),  (Tcor^e  Davis,  from 
the  State  of  Geor:j;"ia,  entered  Mississippi  as  far  up  as 
Clark  county,  and  ])roccedini;"  southward,  preached 
alonf^vthe  Pascaii'oula  river  to  its  mouth,  and  then  di- 
verged to  the  West  to  the  l)ack  Bar  of  Biloxi.  The 
population  \\as  small  and  scattered,  and  the  people 
lived  in  primal  sim])licity  alonii"  the  coast. 

Davis  organized  the  Tide  Water  church  on  Septem- 
ber S,  1832.  He  was  assisted  by  Thomas  C.  Hunt. 
This  church,  the  first  Baptist  church  on  the  coast,  had 
an  existence  until  about  184-0.  It  was  resuscitated  in. 
April,  181-7.  In  1853,  it  was  situated  a1)()ut  two 
miles  from  Ocean  Springs. 

It  was  about  184-7  that  P.  P.  Bow^en  came  to  that 
part  of  the  State  from  Clark  county.  Miss.  He  assisted 
in  the  formation  of  the  Elim  church  about  that  time. 
This  church  was  near  Bay  St.  Louis.  About  184-6  a 
church  was  established  in  Biloxi,  but  for  some  years 
was  in  feeble  operation.  P.  P.  Bo  wen  was  for  a  time 
its  pastor.     In  184-9  and  1850,  P.  P.  Bo  wen  was  labor- 


848  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

ing  on  the  Coast  under  the  direction  of  the  Home  Mis- 
sion Board  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention  and  by 
the  Mississippi  Convention.  He  gave  seven  months  of 
that  year  to  these  boards,  and  baptized  seven  ]3eople. 
He  organized  five  churches,  and  one  association. 

This  early  history  of  our  ^vork  on  the  Coast  is 
given,  because  it  is  valual)le,  and  as  it  is  necessary  that 
we  ma}'  clearly  understand  the  formation  of  the  Biloxi 
Association. 

This  body  was  organized  in  184-9,  or  early  in  1850. 
Its  fourth  anniversary  was  held  in  1853.  It  was, 
therefore,  either  constituted  in  1849,  or  organized  and 
held  its  first  annual  meeting,  both  in  1850.  Its  early 
written  records,  if  it  had  anv,  are  lost,  and  very  little 
trace   of  its  existence  can  be  found. 

In  1851,  the  Convention  appointed  as  messengers 
to  the  Biloxi  Association,  James  Whitfield,  W.  L.  Bal- 
four, W.  J.  Denson,  John  Micou,  S.  S.  Lattimore,  and 
J.  T.  Freem^m.  The  Convention  had  a  missionary  on 
the  Coast  that  3^ear. 

In  1852,  the  body  met  with  the  church  in  Biloxi. 
This  meeting  began  on  the  fourth  of  September.  This 
w^as  its  third  anniversary.  The  annual  sermon  was 
preached  by  Benjamin  Whitfield.  The  Association  was 
called  to  order  by  D.  Stanford,  M.  D.  T.  P.  Brown 
was  chosen  moderator,  and  J.  H.  Powell,  clerk. 

The  bod\^  was  composed  of  four  churches,  with  a 
total  of  69  members,  only  three  of  which  churches  were 
represented.  The  reason  given  for  the  failure  cf  the 
fourth  church  to  be  represented  was  thtit  "having  no 
male  member,  it  was  unable  to  send  up  a  delegate.'' 
The  attendance  at  the  Association  was  large,  consider- 
ing the  tact  that  the  country  was  vSparsely  settled.  A 
collection  was  taken  on  Sunday  amounting  to  $35.00. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  S41l' 

H.  H.  Hempstead,  from  Missouri,  had  just  entered 
upon  his  work  on  the  Coast  under  the  joint  eonnnis- 
sion  ot"  the  Sc^uthern  and  State  Boards.  He  i-emained 
in  this  field  and  in  New  Orleans  until  January,  1859,, 
when  he  returned  North,  to  his  old  field  of  labor  in 
Jonesljoro,  Union  eounty,  Illinois.  He  had  ])een  pastor 
in  Jonesboro  three  3'ears  before  coming  to   Mississippi. 

In  1853,  the  Association  met  with  the  old  Tide 
Water  church.  H.  E.  Hempstead  and  Charles  Long 
■VN'ere  missionaries  in  their  bounds.  There  were  four 
ministers  in  the  Association.  Hempstead  was  mission- 
ary in  1853-54-  under  the  direction  of  the   Convention. 

Just  when  the  Biloxi  Association  disbanded  is  not 
known.  The  American  Baptist  Pul^lication  Society 
was  calling  for  its  Minutes  in  1858.  Though  Hemp- 
stead remained  on  the  Coast  until  1859,  we  have  no 
record  of  missionary  work  done  on  the  Coast  by  the 
State  Convention  alter  1854.  He  taught  school  as  a 
part  of  his  labors  for  support  for  some  time  before  he 
left  the  State.  The  Pass  Christian  church  was  organ- 
ized in  1853,  but  dissolved  in  a  year  or  two. 

I'KOVIDE.NCE  .S.SSOC1ATIO.N. 

This  l)ody  was  composed  largely  of  churches  in  .Ala- 
bama, but  had  some  representation  in  Mississippi.  It 
was  constituted  in  Jackson  county,  Miss.,  in  1855.  It 
remained  in  existence  until  the  formation  of  the  Gult 
Coast  Association,  Ma^'  2(3,  1877.  The  cliurch  at 
Handsboro  went  into  its  organization. 

At  the  time  of  tlie  dissolution  of  the  orgiuiization, 
the  three  cliurches  of  Mobile  were  in  the  organization. 
It  is  known  that  the  ])ody  met  at  Whistler,  six  miles, 
from  Mol)ile,  Saturday  before  the  second  of  Octoljer. 
1859,  antl  witli  the  St.  I'^rancis  Street   church,  M(,)bile>. 


850  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

nt  the  date  of  its  dissolution.  As  the  body  was  in  the 
main  in  Alabama,  no  extensive  notice  should  be  given 
it.  This  much  is  said,  as  it  links  on  the  histoiy  of  the 
Biloxi  Association   with  the   history  of  the  Gulf  Coast 

Association. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS,  851 


CHATTER  XXIII. 

J  I' DSO X    A  SSO C I A  TI O  N . 

The  churches  that  went  into  the  constitution  of  the 
Judson  Association  were  in  the  counties  of  Pontotoc 
and  Itawamba.  Old  Centerville  was  near  the  center  of 
its  territory.  The  churches  that  went  into  the  organi- 
.zation  ^vere,  in  the  main,  from  the  Chickasaw  and 
Al)erdeen  Associations. 

The  Association  was  situated  in  the  Northeastern 
Prairie  Region.  That  part  of  the  country  had,  origi- 
nalh',  a  fine  growth  of  oaks  and  hickories.  The  soil 
was  waxy,  but  highly  productive  under  proper  cultiva- 
tion, when  the  seasons  were  favorable.  It  has,  from 
the  early  settlement  of  the  State,  been  populated  with 
ci  thrifty,  industrious  people.  The  Mobile  &  Ohio  rail- 
road passes  through  itsterritor\' — Lee  county:  a countjr 
•constituted  in  1866,  and  named  in  honor  of  R.  E.  Lee. 
The  district  of  country  the  churches  dotted  was  narrow 
.<ind  long. 

Theconstituting  convention  was  held  at  Meletubba 
■church,  Pontotoc  conn!.;/,  beginning  Friday  ])efore  the 
fourth  Sunday  in  October,  1853.  The  churches  that 
went  into  the  organization  were.  Hickory  (irove,  Oak 
Hill,  Meletubba,  Mantaches  Creek,  and  Shiloh.  These 
■churches  had  a  total  of  4-14  members.  A.  L.  Stovall 
was  called  to  the  chair  to  preside  over  the  1)ody  in 
Convention,  \Y.  D.  Thomas  acting  as  secretary. 


852  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  Association  was  organized  by  electing  E^ 
Smith,  moderator,  and  W.  D.  Thomas,  clerk.  Only  a 
few  items  of  business  were  considered.  The  churches 
were  urged  to  exercise  due  caution  in  ordaining  minis- 
ters. The  subject  of  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath  was 
considered,  and  Temperance  discussed. 

The  session  of  1854  Avas  held  with  the  Hickory 
Grove  church,  Pontotoc  county.  A.  L.  Stovall  was 
elected  moderator,  and  W.  D.  Thomason,  clerk.  Seven 
churches  were  added  to  the  bod}-^  at  that  meeting,  the 
aggregate  membership  of  the  churches  \vas  848. 

The  principal  work  of  the  body  was  the  considera- 
tion of  two  resolutions.  J.  R.  Graves  and  Alexander 
Campbell  were  engaged  in  a  written  discussion.  The 
positions  of  J.  R.  Graves  were  warmly  advocated.  The 
other  resolution  was  against  pulpit  affiliation,  a  theme 
much  discussed  in  those  days. 

The  third  session  of  the  body  was  held  with  the 
Mantaches  church,  in  Itawamba  county.  The  church 
is  named  for  a  creek  that  flows  southeast,  and  empties 
into  the  Tombigbee  river.  The  opening  of  the  session 
was  on  Friday  before  the  4th  Lord's  day  in  October,. 
1855.  Sothejudson  may  be  numbered  with  the  old 
Baptist  Associations  of  our  State. 

At  that  meeting  of  the  body,  A.  L.  Stovall  was 
elected  moderator,  and  Wm.  D.  Thomason,  clerk. 
These  two  officers  held  their  positions  respectively  to 
1859,  inclusive.  No  preacher  in  North  Mississippi 
stood  higher  in  the  esteem  of  the  people  for  probitj^ 
and  ministerial  consecrcction  than  A.  L.  Stovall.  Wm. 
D.  Thomason,  father  of  Dr.  W.  B.  Thomason,  of  Pal- 
nlbtto  Home,  was  a  layman  of  accepted  correctness 
and  unblemished  piety. 

The  first   report   submitted    was  upon  Ministerial 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  853 

Gifts.  The  call  of  God  to  one  to  enter  the  ministry  was 
the  leading  thou<^ht  of  the  report.  It  was  declared 
the  dut\'  of  the  church  to  inquire  after  the  gifts  and  aid 
in  improving  the  talent  by  keeping  up  prayer- meetings, 
but  not  a  word  is  in  the  report  aljout  Ministerial  Edu- 
cation. The  second  report  was  on  education,  and 
Mary  Washington  Female  College  at  Pontotoc,  Mis- 
sissippi College,  and  Union  University,  at  Murfrees- 
boro,  Tenn.,  were  recommended. 

On  the  Lord's  day  at  11  a.  m.,  G.  D.  Russell,  by 
previous  cippointment,  preached  a  missionary  sermon, 
after  which  ii  collection  was  taken  of  $19.70.  The  Ex- 
ecutive Board  reported  on  Monday  that  they  had  em- 
ployed James  J.  Andrews  as  missionary  at  $40.00  a 
month,  who  had  l)een  activeh'  employed  most  of  the 
associational  ^-ear.  He  supplied  two  churches — Mace- 
donia and  Shiloh.  In  his  report,  we  learn  he  traveled 
3,055  miles,  jjreached  156  sermons,  baptized  eight  per- 
sons, and  constituted  one  church.  J.  J.  Andrews  was, 
before  the  Civil  War,  quite  successful  in  ])rotracted 
meetings;  helving  a  gushing  and  impulsive  nature. 

Indian  missions  was  considered  under  a  separate 
head,  and  was  declared  only  second  to  associational 
work.  It  was  said:  "We  now  enjoy  the  hcjmes  they 
once  enjoyed;  they  have  retreated  and  yielded  to  us  the 
lands  (n'er  which  they  once  roamed*  *  *  They  are  ask- 
ing tor  the  gospel  at  our  hands  *  *  *  Let  them  share 
liberally  our  contributions.""  There  is  something  touch- 
ing in  the  trend  of  these  thoughts.  The  red  man  of  the 
forest  merits  a  just  consideration  from  the  hand  of  Mis- 
sissippians,  and  should  not  call  on  us  in  vain  for  the 
saving  gospel  of  Christ. 

A  stirring  report  was  read  on  Temperance.  The 
whisky  seller  was  called  the  destroyer  of  human  happi- 


854-  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

ness,  the  corrupter  of  morals,  the  murderer  of  his  friends 
and  neighbors,  the  subtle  enemy  of  the  church  of  Christ, 
the  cause  of  the  widow's  tears  and  the  orphan's  cries. 
It  is  somewhat  refreshing  to  see  what  forceful  language 
our  fathers  used  as  to  the  sale  of  intoxicants.  It  is  idle 
to  tell  of  the  harm lessness  of  ardent  spirits  in  the  long- 
ago,  and  that  strong  drink  had  none  to  cry  out  against 
its  blighting  effect.  Whisky  wrecked  character  then  as 
now,  and  made  homes  wretched  and  wrung  innocent 
hearts  with  its  wanton  cruelty. 

The  utmost  care  was  taken  of  the  spiritual  welfare 
of  the  blacks  before  the  Civil  War.  In  all  the  associa- 
tions, we  find  the  utmost  endeavor  was  made  to  give 
them  ecjual  church  privileges  with  the  whites.  In  the 
report  on  the  Religious  Instruction  of  the  Blacks,  at 
this  third  meeting  of  the  Judson,  it  Avas  recommended 
that  "a  comfortable  place  be  provided  for  them  in  our 
meeting  houses,  and  they  encouraged  to  attend  and  ob- 
serve good  order."' 

On  Saturday'  before  the  second  Lord's  day  in  Sep- 
tember, 1856,  the  Judson  Association  met  with  the 
Oak  Hill  church,  Pontotoc  count}'.  The  old  church 
was  in  two  and  a  half  miles  of  the  place  whei'e  the 
writer  first  saw  the  light  of  day.  The  mention  of  its 
name  brings  in  floods  of  memories  of  his  boyhood  days, 
which  must  be  suppres.sed. 

The  love  that  the  early  Baptists  had  for  home  evan- 
gelization amounted  to  a  consuming  desire,  a  master- 
ing passion.  The  report  on  Home  missions,  and  the 
report  of  the  Executive  Committee,  were  the  leading 
reports  1)efore  our  .\ssociation.  The  report  on  Hoine 
missions  of  1856  ended  with  this  language:  "O  breth- 
ren, will  not  the  love  of  Christ  constrain  us?  And 
should  we  not  be  readv   and  willing  to  carrv   out  the 


IIISTOKV     OF     MISSISSIPPI     HAPTISTS.  855 

work  assin'iictl  us,  1)\-  C()nLi'il)utin,y"  liberally  ol Our  sulj- 
stancc  to  send  the  .i^ospel  to  the  destitute?" "  G.  C. 
Russell  had,  through  the  year,  been  solieited  to  travel 
and  preach  in  their  bounds,  Ijut  could  not,  and  no  sys- 
tematic work  was  done.  T.  Howell  and  Wm.  C. 
Thonias  had  supplied  some  destitute  places.  Burrell 
Jackson  was  chairman  of  the  Executive  Board.  The 
treasurer's  report  shows  that  $177.50  had  been  re- 
ceived by  him  durinj^  the  current  year. 

In  1857,  the  Fulton,  I^'riendship,  Camj)  Creek,  and 
Richnu)nd  churches  were  received  into  the  union.  The 
Association  then  liad  nineteen  churches,  with  a  total 
membership  ol"  1 ,096.  In  that  year  they  received  75  by 
baptism  and  (37  Ijy  letter.  M.  P.  Lowrey  was  present 
at  the  .Association  as  a  messenger  from  the  Chickasaw 
Association. 

Early  in  the  proceed in;4S,  the  folio wiui^'  resolution 
Avas  adoi)ted:  "Resolved,  that  we  recommend  our 
brethren  to  subscribe  for  and  read  The  Missisippi  Bap- 
tist, edited  by  our  Bro.  Jno.  T.  Freeman,  and  published 
in  Jackson,  .\Iississi]ijii.''  The  editcjr  still  lives,  and  is 
passing  his  declining  years  in  Starkville.  lie  is  a  great 
man,  with  a  long-existing,  well-sustained  record. 

During  the  year  (i.  C  Russell  had  done  some  mis- 
sionary work  and  S.  Moore  had  l)een  actively  engaged 
in  the  work.  The  Executive  Board  hatl  aided  the  Mac- 
edonia and  the  Pilgrim's  Rest  churches.  The  Pilgrim's 
Rest  church  \et  exists,  and  is  a  struggling  interest  of 
the  Convention  Board.  The  finance  rei)ort  showed 
that  $205.15  had  been  received. 

The  session  of  1S58  was  held  with  the  Ilickorv 
(jrove  church,  Pontotoc  county.  Two  churches  were 
added  to  the  union.  The  total  membership  of  the 
churches  then  was  1,22^5. 


^56  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

For  some  reason,  deep  interest  was  taken  in  the 
subject  of  temperance.  A  lengthy  report  was  read  on 
the  subject,  which,  after  a  discussion  of  several  hours, 
■was  adopted.  Those  who  spoke  in  support  of  the  res- 
olution were,  M.  Ball,  Mathews,  Booth,  Stov^all,  Wil- 
liam Young,  and  others.  J.  G.  W.  Mallett  spoke  vigor- 
ously in  opposition  to  the  sentiments  of  the  report.  It 
seems  now  that  he  made  a  serious  mistake.  It  must, 
in  the  nature  ot  the  case,  go  down  to  posterity,  that 
he  gave  his  influence  to  a  nefarious  traffic.  But  that 
he  stood  in  the  lengthy  discussion  against  the  strong- 
men who  argued  the  other  side  of  the  question,  is  indi- 
cation of  his  great  ability.  It  is  the  more  to  be  deplor- 
ed that  one  so  gifted  should  give  his  influence  to  the 
xninions  of  the  greatest  curse  of  our  country. 

The  seventh  session  of  the  Judson  Association  was 
held  with  the  Richmond  church.  The  Alount  Gilead 
church  was  received  upon  petitionary  letter.  M.  Ball 
AA/as  present  as  a  visitor  from  the  Chickasaw  Associ- 
tion. 

A  strange  sentiment,  or  an  unwarranted  suspicion, 
had  crept  into  the  hearts  of  some  members  of  the  Asso- 
ciation. They  were  what  we  call  in  these  days  "Gospel 
Missioners.''  The  following  preamble  and  resolution 
were  introduced,  and  to  the  credit  of  the  Judson  laid  on 
the  table: 

"Whereas,  we  feel  it  our  duty,  as  the  churches  of 
Christ,  to  aid  in  preaching  the  gospel  to  every  creature 
and  vsending  the  pure  Scripture  to  all  nations;  and, 
Whereas,  we  believe  that  agents  may  and  ought  to  be 
-dispensed  with,  therefore, 

Re&olvecl,  That  we  advise  the  churches  composing 
this  Association  to  require  their  deacons  to  make  col- 
lections in  their  several  churches  and  congregations  for 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  857 

these  objects,  and  send  them  as  directly  as  possible 
throu,i?h  the  medium  of  their  own  choice.' 

The  Association  seemed  to  be  on  its  metal.  It  took 
up  the  controversy  between  J.  K.  Graves  and  the  First 
Church  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  protested  ajj^ainst  the 
"unscriptural  proceedings  of  that  church."  The  Land- 
mark doctrine  was  copiousl3'  endorsed,  and  Graves, 
Pendleton,  and  Dayton,  invited  to  meet  with  them  at 
the  next  Association.  While  some  of  the  delegates 
were  ready  for  a  heated  contest  on  the  efficiency  of 
boards,  and  church  troul)le,  others  were  offering  such 
resolutions  as  the  following:  "Resolved,  That,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  low  state  of  religion  in  the  Judson  As- 
sociiition,  we  set  apart  the  2oth  day  of  December  next 
as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  tluit  God  would  revive 
His  work  among  us.'" 

The  eighth  session  of  the  Judson  was  held  with  the 
Camp  Creek  church,  Pontotoc  Countv.  Wm.  Voimg 
was  elected  moderator,  W.  C.  Thomas,  clerk,  and  Bur- 
rell  Jackson,  treasurer.  William  Young  was  a  well  ed- 
ucated man  and  prided  himself  on  his  knowledge  of  the 
Greek  language.  He  had  no  hesitancy  in  saying  that 
the  primary  meaning  of  "baptidzo''  wiis  "to  dip,  to 
plunge,  to  immerse;"  The  New  Prospect  church  was 
received  into  the  union.  The  Association  tenderly  ex- 
pressed itself  as  to  the  death  of  Martin  Ball,  already  re- 
ferred to  in  the  history  of  the  Chickasaw  Association. 

The  Association  adopted  one  most  .sensible  resolu- 
tion. It  was  as  to  preaching  funeral  sermons.  It  was 
a  custom  to  preach  funer^d  sermons  sometimes  years 
after  the  death  of  a  loved  one.  When  the  writer  was 
pastor  in  Georgia,  man}'  yccirs  ago,  he  was  asked  by  a 
bereaved  husband  to  preach  the  funerals  of  two  of  his 
wives  cit  the  same  time,  which  retjuest,  though  sincere, 
found  no  compliance  on  the  part  of  the  young  preacher. 


85H  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

In  1860,  the  Association  projected  a  ministers'  aid 
movement,  upon  preamble  and  resolution.  The  plan 
was  that  the  Executive  Connnittee,  in  connection  with 
William  Young  and  A.  L.  Stovall,  should  solicit  dona- 
tions in  the  form  of  notes  or  bonds,  the  interest  on 
which  was  to  be  used  to  aid  needy  jjreachers  and  their 
wives,  and  3'oung  ministers,  properly  recommended,  in 
obtaining  an  education.  But  alas,  the  cruel  war  came 
on,  and  all  such  pecuniary  arrangements  were  placed 
beyond  the  possibility  of  realization  in  a  few  short 
years.  Before  four  years  had  passed,  lifter  the  passing 
of  these  resolutions,  the  bass  notes  of  mounted  cannon 
were  heard  at  Harrisliurg,  in  the  center  of  their  territo- 
rv,  and  the  property  of  some  of  them  went  up  in  smoke 
in  the  track  of  contending  armies,  or  fed  the  red-handed 
hungry  foe.  The  following  year,  one,  writing  on  the 
state  of  religion  in  the  churches,  said:  "I  confess,  at 
this  crisis  in  our  nation's  affairs,  I  scarcely  know  what 
to  write."  Their  minds  were  turned  to  the  fratricidal 
strife,  and  though  they  met  as  delegates  in  an  Associa- 
tion in  September,  18(51,  little  was  done  beyond  the 
adoption  of  some  resolutions  referring  to  the  unhappy 
state  of  national  affairs 

In  the  report  on  documents,  ]jut  before  the  bodv  at 
that  session,  it  was  stated,  that  in  the  letter  sent  by 
the  New  Prospect  church,  a  pledge  to  some  licnevolence 
previously  made  had  l)een  rei)udiated  l)v  the  church 
which  the  committee  declared  very  wrong.  Their  stand 
for  right  and  honor  deserves  favoral)lc  comment  and 
calls  for  congratulation.  Pledges  made  of  amounts  to 
be  pjiid  to  anv  religious  cause  should  be  observed  with 
the  highest  sense  of  honor.  They  are  really  more  bind- 
ing than  our  obligations  to  men,  for  the  making  ofsucii 
pledges  is  business  with  (lod. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  859 

There  is  anothei'  meed  of  praise  that  should  l)e 
awarded  this  Assoeiation.  It  was  from  this  Ixxly,  be- 
fore the  Civil  War,  that  A.  D.  Phillips  w.^nt  as  mission- 
ary to  Africa.  He  was  the  first  f()rei<^n  inissionar}'  the 
Baptists  of  Mississippi  furnished  the  Foreign  Mission 
Board.  He  was  familiary  known  in  the  Assoeiation  as 
Dickerson  Phillips.  For  fourtt^en  years  he  remained  in 
Africa,  })reachin^  the  gospel  to  the  heathen,  and  before 
returning  home,  buried  his  wife  in  the  sunn\-  soil  of 
that  far-away  country  A.  D.  Phillips  was  a  portly 
man,  and  of  remarkable  strength  and  endurance.  He 
died  some  years  ago  in  the  State  of  Tennessee. 

During  the  Civil  War,  the  territory  of  the  Judsou 
was  tramped  and  devastated  by  the  contending  forces. 
Tupelo,  then  a  town  of  two  or  three  houses,  was  a 
camping  place  for  the  Confederate  soldier.  The  hills 
weredenuded  of  their  growth  lor  milesaround  thetown 
and  the  place  wore  an  air  of  general  desolation.  It  need 
not,  therefore,  appear  remarkal)le,  that  the  Judson  As- 
soeiation resuscitated  slowly  after  the  war.  Yet  in 
1S76,  an  Executive  Board  was  formed  with  Meriman 
Pounds  as  chairman  and  C.  C.  Malone  em])loye(l  to 
ride  as  missionary.  He  traveled  1,293  miles.  He  was 
very  corpulent,  which  should  increase  our  a]ipreciatit)n 
of  this  great  activity.  He  fdso  constituted  two 
churches,  and, most  remarkable  to  say, collected  $S2.60 
and  received  sal)Scrii)tions  amounting  t(j  $253. 4-0. 
These  amounts  may  ai)ijear  small  now;  but  just  after 
the  \\ar  our  i)eoi)le  were  demorali/ccd:  had  little  and 
gave  sparingly. 

W.  C.  Thomas  ol"  Richmond,  the  moderator  of  the 
Association  in  1866,  called  the  body  to  order  in  1867. 
The  meeting  was  with  the  Town  Creek  church  in  Lee 
county.     In  the  permanent  organization, William  Hood 


860  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

was  elected  moderator,  John  S.  Carothers,  clerk,  and 
R.  Al.  Boruni, treasurer.  Amono- the  representative  vis- 
itors were,  A.  W.  Chambliss,  J.  S.  Cobb,  J.  P.  Pitts, 
Elijah  Smith  and  J.  B.  Gambrell. 

The  paper  question  largeh'  engaged  the  attention 
<it  this  meeting.  The  Baptists  of  Mississippi  were  all 
the  time  warm  friends  of  J.  K.  Graves  and  his  denomin- 
ational enterprises.  His  paper,  T/ie  Baptist,  was  heart- 
ily commended,  but  not  a  word  appears  in  the  pream- 
ble and  resolutions  as  to  the  Christian  Watchm an,  tXmn 
published  at  Jackson,  Miss.,  by  Whitfield,  Ward  &  Co. 
That  paper  was  then  in  the  throes  of  death  from  the 
lack  of  support.  This  state  of  aifairs  is  subject  to  a 
creditable  explanation.  J.  R.  Graves  was  a  man  of  un- 
usuid  magnetism,  and  was  under  fire  from  many  quar- 
ters. Mississippi  Baptists  will  every  time  support  an 
abused  man,  if  he  can  defend  his  position.  The  Chris 
tian  Watchman  had  not  been  represented  before  the 
Judson.  Thev  knew  little  of  its  existence,  much  less  of 
its  struggles. 

The  question  of  the  proper  instructions  of  the  blacks 
was  with  them,  as  with  similar  bodies,  a  perplexing 
<jne.  But  it  was  wisely  supposed  that  the  time  had 
come  to  organize  them  into  separate  churches  from 
the  whites,  as  they  were  in  the  colonial  days  of  Missis- 
sippi. If  one  of  them  showed  gifts  for  preaching,  and 
was  sound  in  doctrine,  it  was  recommended  that  he 
be  ordained.  The^-  were  alienated  from  the  Southern 
whites,  and  the  separation  of  the  two  races  in  church 
affiliation  was  timely  and  wise. 

What  should  be  done  with  their  associational  work? 
Funds  were  needed.  It  was  resolved  that  every  pastor 
act  as  agent  in  getting  up  funds  for  the  Executive 
Board.  All  hands  to  the  wheels  until  the  gospel  wagon 
coidd  move  lightly  on  firm  and  high  ground. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  861 

At  the  Association  of  1S69,  T.  C.  Teasdalc  was 
present  in  the  interest  of  Sunday  schools.  T.  C.  Teas- 
dale  was  long  A  prominent  figure  among  Mississippi 
Baptists.  He  addressed  the  body  on  his  cherished 
cause,  and  was  most  kindl3'  received  l)y  the  union. 

The  associational  missionary  work  still  moved  on 
leaden  wheels.  A  good  Executive  Board  \vas  formed, 
consistingofBurrell  Jackson,  J.  M.  Cook,R.  M.  B(irum,, 
J,  M.  Armstrong,  and  A.  J.  Doty.  Burrell  Jackson,  a 
highly  useful  man,  had  been  prominent  in  the  financial 
operations  of  the  Association  from  its  inception.  A 
plan  for  casting  the  work  was  introduced  by  resolution. 
It  was  to  divide  the  Association  into  five  districts,  and 
each  member  of  the  Board  was  to  enlist  the  preachers 
in  his  district  in  the  work.  It  was  the  old  story  of  the 
best  way  to  catch  the  gopher.  Other  associations 
wrestled  with  the  same  difiiculties. 

In  1870,  Jam^  Nelson  was  at  the  Association.  He 
was  the  mojrt  rcmarkal)le  man  that  has  a|)j)care(i 
among  our  people.  He  was  eminently  a  m^m  of  prayer. 
A  day  given  by  him  to  an  association  of  Baptists  was 
a  benediction  to  them  for  years.  Early  in  the  meeting 
he  was  requested  to  address  them  on  the  subject  of 
Ministerial  Education.  He  raised  $34'1.00  for  this  ob- 
ject. Beyond  his  work,  the  report  on  education  spoke 
of  the  Southern  Baptist  Theologiccd  Seminary,  and  of 
a  new  educational  interest  of  that  part  of  the  State. 
The  Judson  and  the.\l)erdeen  associations  hadajjroject 
on  foot  of  establishing  a  female  school,  which  they  had 
decided  to  locate  at  Tupelo.  Sympathy  and  jiccuniary 
support  were  asked  for  the  infant  enterprise.  It  died 
in  tectliing. 

Some  light  was  coming  in  upon  the  newsjjapcr  in- 
terests of  Mississippi  Baptists,     (ien.  M.  I*.  Lowrey  was 


862  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

connected  witli  77?e  Baptist.  He  presided  over  a  Mis- 
sissippi department,  with  which  all  were  delighted, 
<ind  conse([uently  The  Baptist  was  highly  commended. 
The  Christian  Herald,  published  at  Tuscumbia,  Ala., 
by  Joseph  Shackletord,  and  Kind  Words  were  also  re- 
membered. The  commendation  of  The  Baptist  and 
Kind  Words  were  repeated  the  following  year. 

The  Executive  Board  reported  that  "about  the 
15th  of  May  last  we  emplo^-ed  J.J.  Andrews  to  ride 
within  the  bounds  ot  the  Association  as  missionary,  at 
$40.00  per  month."  He  traveled  1,273  miles,  baptized 
nineteen  converts,  and  resurrected  one  church.'"  There 
Avere  then  28  churches  in  the  union.  In  the  last  asso- 
ciational  year,  123  had  been  bajjtized  into  the  fellow- 
ship of  these  churches,  which  re])orted  a  grand  total  of 
2,015  members. 

The  nineteenth  ^mnual  session  wyis  held  with  the 
Centre  Hill  church,  Lee  county.  The  officers  of  the 
previous  year  were  re-elected.  The  Mount  Pleasant 
•church,  Monroe  county',  was  received  into  the  union. 
I^rominent  among  the  visitors  were  A.  A.  Lomax,  rep- 
resenting Mississip|)i  College,  James  B.  Gambrell,  of 
Tippah  Association,  and  C.  M.  Tucker  of  the  Chickasaw. 

W.  M.  Fuqua,  chairman  of  the  Executive  Board, 
reported  that  they  had  no  missionary  in  the  field  the 
past  year,  from  the  fact  that  they  had  no  funds  on 
hand.  The  Executive  Board  of  five  with  the  preachers 
did  not  catch  the  gopher.  But  the  same  plan,  in  the 
absence  of  anything  better,  was  recommended.  Some- 
what more  hopeful  was  the  report  of  the.  Committee 
on  Education.  Judson  Moore,  a  young  minister  of 
promise,  was  commended  as  worthy  of  assistance,  and 
a  collection  taken  to  enable  him  to  pursue  his  literary 
studies  at   Mississippi  College.     The  female  school  at 


HISTOKY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  863 

I'ontotoc,  under  the  management  ot  William  L.  Slack, 
received  favorable  mention. 

The  session  of  1S72  was  animated  ])y  the  presence 
of  several  stronjj  men  from  other  associations,  among 
whom  were:  M.  P.  Lowrey,  \V.  L.  Slack,  L.  R.Burress, 
J.  T.  Pitts,  and  j.  B.  Gamhrell. 

The  Judson  Association  at  that  time  was  not  ani- 
mated by  anything  iinnsnal.  It  Ccin  be  seen  that  the 
agents  representing  the  interests  of  the  convention 
were  seldom  present  at  the  annual  meetings  of  the 
body.  No  financial  report  of  work  done  appears  in 
the  Minutes.  The  reports  were,  almost  without  an 
exception,  without  practical  application.  Yet  there 
were  29  churches  in  the  union  with  a  total  membership 
of  2.1 34-.  Their  educational  endeavor  had  been  a  fail- 
ure, and  they  Ijccame  content  to  rest  while  the  hum- 
ming mill  ground  on  at  a  slow  balking  rate. 

One  cause  of  tliis  spiritual  state  was  the  illness  of 
their  great  leader,  that  wonderful  preacher,  A.  L. 
Stovall.  On  the  da^'  celebi-ated  by  our  nation,  com- 
memorative of  freedom  from  oppression,  the  fourth  of 
July,  1S72,  the  old  "soldier  of  the  cross"  grounded  his 
arms  to  be  knighted  on  the  bloodless  mountains.  His 
presence  was  a  benediction,  his  sermons,  jewels;  his 
walk,  in  the  footprints  of  his  Saviour.  Of  the  nineteen 
years  of  the  existence  of  the  Association  he  had  been 
moderator  of  the  bo(h-,  fourteen. 

In  1874,  the  Judson  met  with  the  church  at  Gun- 
town  on  the  M.&  O.  Railroad.  The  session  was  opened 
on  Thursday.  W.  C.  Thomas  was  elected  nuxlerator, 
J.  M.  Cook,  clerk,  and  G.  M.  Phillips,  treasurer. 

The  Executive  Board  reported  that  no  missionarj 
Avas  in  the  field,  as  they  had  no  fimds  on  hand.  But 
good  men  will  not  tolerate  lethargy  more  than  one  or 


864  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

two  years,  and  thejudson  had  many  consecrated  men  in 
it.  It  was  recommended  by  the  Board  that  they  proceed 
at  once  to  raise  funds  by  pledges  for  the  work.  Tliat 
kind  of  shaking  makes  the  apples  fall.  $145.00  was 
pledged  on  the  spot.  The  report  made  on  Home  mis- 
sions by  J.J.  Andrews  recommended  that  annually  a 
missionarj^  sermon  should  be  preached  before  the  body 
at  11  a.  m.  on  the  Sunday  embraced  in  the  meeting  of 
the  Association.  The  suggestion  was  a  good  one.  The 
Baptist  hosts  need  instruction  on  missionary  work — 
line  on  line. 

There  was  a  growing  desire  manifested  by  thejud- 
son to  have  a  General  Association  in  North  Mississippi. 
They  were  in  sympathy  with  the  movement  on  foot 
liefore  the  Civil  War  to  have  a  General  Association  for 
all  the  Baptists  of  North  Mississippi.  After  the  war, 
they  advocated  it  in  the  annual  meetings.  In  1875,  a 
great  restlessness  was  seen  in  the  body.  Correspond- 
ence was  appointed  t(j  the  Aberdeen,  the  Chickasaw, 
the  Coldwater  and  the  Tishomingo  associations. 
What  an  array  of  strong  associations!  On  motion, 
all  the  messengers,  (nineteen  in  num1)er),  were  regarded 
as  a  special  committee  to  co-operate  with  the  Judson 
in  forming  a  General  Association  of  North  Mississippi. 
But  it  is  sometimes  harder  to  pull  apart,  than  to  pull 
with  the  majority,  and  the  Judson  is  to-day  happy  in 
its  co-operation  with  the  convention  in  all  the  State 
work. 

It  is  pleasant  to  notice  that  life  is  seen  in  all  asso- 
ciational  missions.  Three  missionaries  had  been  in  the 
field,  A.  W.  SandHn,  D.  W.  Andrews  and  W.C.Thomas. 
The  treasurer  reported  as  paid  out  $157.25,  with  a 
balance  on  hand  of  $8.65.  The  statistics  show  that 
the  churches  had,    during   the  associational   year,  108 


HISTORY     OK     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  865 

baptisms.     A  lar<j^e  body,  capable  ot\id^reat  good,  awak- 
ing to  responsibility. 

That  each  division  of  the  interests  supported 
by  the  Judson  may  ])e  seen  connectedl}',  the  topical 
method  will  be  observed  in  giving  the  history  of  the 
body  from  1875  to  1890.  A  current  consideration  will 
be  given  to  casual  occurrences. 

The  Judson  took  position  on  the  temperance  cjues- 
tion,  and  the  prohiljition  movements  of  our  State,  but 
did  not  manifest  the  zeal  shown  by  some  other  asso- 
ciations. In  1876,  the  closing  paragraph  of  the  report 
says:  "There  has  never  l)een  a  greater  evil  to  the 
church  than  the  sin  of  drunkenness,  and  yet  manj'  in- 
ebriates are  retained  in  fellowship  with  the  church. 
We  believe  thiit  every  member  of  the  church  who  will 
drink  ardent  spirits,  as  a  beverage,  should  be  excluded." 
J.  J.  Andrews  read  the  report.  The  report  of  1882  was 
equally  as  pronounced  as  this  one.  The  following  year 
it  was  recited  that  the  annual  drink  bill  of  our  country 
was  more  than  four  times  the  amount  of  all  church 
property.  The  few  towns  of  any  size  in  the  bounds  of 
the  Association  was  favorable  to  the  earh'  and  easy 
process  that  l)anished  the  saloon  from  that  part  of  the 
State.  As  no  great  effort  was  required  to  produce  this 
result,  we  do  not  find  much  effort  set  forth  In-  Baptists, 
as  such,  to  be  spoken  of  in  their  associational  pro- 
ceedings. 

The  reports  on  Pul)lications  are  somewhat  varia- 
ble, but  in  the  main,  recommend  our  State  paper.  In 
1876,  Gen.  M.  P.  Lowrey  was  still  conducting  the  Mis- 
sissippi department  of  The  Baptist  of  Memphis.  He 
was  highly  venerated  in  the  Judson,  and  his  work  on 
that  paper  highly  commended.  The  Minutes  ot  187T 
have  no  printed   reports,  as  they  were   omitted   on  the 


?>66  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

score  of  economy,  liiit  in  IS  78  we  find  this  language: 
'"We  recommend  to  the  kind  consideration  and  co-oper- 
ation of  the  Baptist  Record,  ]nil)lished  at  Clinton, 
Miss.,  also  that  noble  vindicator  of  truth.  The  Baptist, 
pii1)lished  at  Alemj)liis,  Tenn."  The  deer  do  not  soon 
turn  away  from  the  old  licks. 

There  is  nothing  remarkable  in  the  re])orts  on  this 
subject  from  1877  to  1SS4-.  In  that  year  the  Baptist 
Record  and  the  Tennessee  Baptist  were  put  under  the 
same  yoke,  ec(ually  divided.  James  B.  Gambrell  and 
George  Whitfield  both  spoke  to  the  report.  From  1884 
to  1888,  inclusive,  these  two  papers  were  recommended 
to  the  reading  Baptists  of  the  Association,  the  special 
favors  being  shown  to  the  Record  by  being  first  men- 
tioned, and  more  said  of  it.  In  1889  and  1890  the 
Southern  Baptist  Record  and  the  Bajitist  and  Reflector 
Avere  e(|ually  commended. 

The  Judson  did  not  jit  any  time  in  this  ]:>eriod  main- 
tain a  Sunday  school  Convention.    The  re])orts  usually 
lamented  the  lack  of  zeal  in  the  churches  for  this  work. 
Few  churches  would  report  their  Sunday  schools,  and 
Just    statistics   could  not  be  gotten  from  the  letters  to 
the  union.     The  Sunday-school  work  has  received  just 
attention   in   (mly    a   few    of  our   associations.     While 
'  making  this  statement  no  intimation  is  intended  that 
the   churches   are   hostile  to  the  vv'ork.     The  ordinary 
Mississippi   Baptist   feels   that   the  work   ought  to  be 
kept  sprightly,  but    some   one   else   should    furnish  the 
energy. 

On  education  the  fudson  was  at  no  time  enthusias- 
tic, but  always  correct.  In  1876,  R.  N.  Hall  was  the 
-corresponding  secretary  of  the  Board  of  Ministerial 
Education.  He  was  that  year  at  their  annual  meeting, 
^ind   well   represented   his  work.     In   1881,  J.  W.  Ran- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     IJAPTISTS.  i<ir>7 

(lolph  read  a  good  report  on  Ministerial  Edue^ition. 
The  rei)ort  declared  that  we  needed  educated  men, 
called  of  God  to  preach,  and  able  to  meet  the  errors  of 
the  day.  The  report  was  well  discussed  by  J.  B.  Gam- 
brell,  AI.  V.  Xoffsino-er,  and  J.  T.  Christian.  In  1.SS2, 
the  writer,  then  financial  a^i^ent  of  Mississipjji  College, 
represented  the  educational  cause  before  the  Judson. 
He  w^as  most  cordially  received,  and  was  given  $31.00 
for  Ministerial  Education.  The  clerk  was  kind  enough 
to  state  in  the  Minutes  that  the  college  agent  preached 
an  edifying  sermon.  In  1884-,  Mississippi  College  re- 
ceived polite  attention  and  fine  commendation.  The 
resolution  pledged  the  Association  to  use  the  utmost 
endeavor  to  rciise  an  average  of  $10.00  from  each 
church  for  the  current  expenses  of  the  college.  The  re- 
ports placed  l)efore  the  Association  were  usually  short, 
but,  yccir  by  year,  commendable  rei)orts  were  made  on 
some  phase  of  the  educational  work. 

In  considering  the  missionary  work  of  the  ])ody,  it 
will  not  be  necessary  to  (juote  largely  from  the  reports 
on  the  subject.  The  work  itself  will  re])resent  the  mis- 
sionary spirit  of  the  body,  as  it  was  limited  l)y  circum- 
stances. In  187(),  T.  P.  Montgomery  rode  as  mission- 
iir\'  of  the  Association  two  and  a  half  months.  He 
baptized  eight  ])ersons  and  constitiited  the  church  at 
Fulton.  The  church  has  since  become  dist^rgiinized, 
<md  Fulton  is  to-day  one  of  the  few  county  seats  in  the 
State  without  a  H  ipList  cluirch. 

In  1S78,  tne  li.Kocuc've  Hoard  was  not  able  to  se- 
cure the  labors  of  a  missi  )nary.  In  18Sl,in  the  discus-' 
sion  of  Home  missions,  the  Judson  lor  once  lost  dignity, 
and  matters  l)ecame  breezy.  During  the  discussion. 
Elder  Finney,  of  the  Aberdeen  Association,  crossed  the 
path  of  the  modenitor,  J.  J.  Andrews.     The  moderator 


868  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

pronounced  him  out  of  order,  and  he  appealed  to  the- 
house.  The  house  decided  that  the  discussion  should 
cease.     A  missionary  was  kept  in  the  field  that  3'ear. 

In  1882,  J.J.  Andrews  rode  as  missionary  in  the 
Association  four  months.  He  said  pastors  and  deacons 
were  remiss  as  to  their  evangelical  work,  that  the  field 
was  white  unto  the  harvest.  He  reported  31  baptisms. 
The  following  year  W.  L.  Pulley  was  their  missionary 
for  one-third  of  the  year.  That  year  they  proposed  to 
co-operate  with  the  State  Mission  Board,  reserving  the 
right  of  appointing  their  own  missionaries. 

In  1885,  L.  Ball  represented  the  new  Board,  the 
Convention  Board.  It  is  said  that  he  offered  resolu- 
tions looking  to  a  co-operation  of  the  Association  with 
that  Board,  which  resolutions  were  lost,  the  body  pre- 
ferring to  do  their  own  missionary  work.  Reference  to 
the  report  of  the  financial  committee  shows  that  they 
paid  to  their  work  that  \'ear  the  sum  of  $27.70.  It  is 
not  to  be  supposed  that  this  amount  made  the  old 
soldier  covetous,  or  desirous  of  conferring  an  injur\^  on 
them.  Two  years  later  a  splendid  report  on  State 
missions  was  adopted.  It  declared  that  the  Conven- 
tion was  doing  fine  work,  and  that  it  was  their  indis- 
pensahle  duty  to  help  the  State  Board,  and  every  min- 
ister in  the  Association  was  asked  to  impress  this  work 
on  their  respective  churches.  Sometimes  men  of  wrong- 
thinking  direct  a  body  of  good  men  in  devious  ways 
for  awhile,  l)ut  they  finally  assert  themselves.  In  1890, 
Mrs.  M.J.  Nelson  was  most  kindly  received  in  the  As- 
sociation, confining  her  public  instructions  to  the  fe- 
male audiences.  She  held  two  meetings  with  the  women 
during  her  stay  with  them,  creating  much  enthusiasm 
in  Woman's  Work,  and  organizing  a  Woman's  Mission- 
ary Societ3\ 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  869 

In  1884,  the  Judson  had  in  it  37  churches,  which 
had  a  total  membership  of  3,010.  It  was  deemed  wise 
to  divide  the  Association  for  various  reasons  that  w^ere 
given.  The  body  has  been  in  existence  for  thirt^'-two 
years  and  had  grown  from  five  churches  to  thirty-seven. 
A  division  was  agreed  upon,  and  the  West  Judson,  west 
of  the  M.  &  O.  Railroad,  was  oroanized  some  months 
later.  The  Judson  had  twenty  churches  after  the  divi- 
sion. It  appears  that  in  the  following  year  these 
twenty  churches  felt  lonesome,  and  some  looked  east- 
ward for  new  alliances.  W.  L.  Pullc}-  offered  preambles 
and  resolutions  looking  toward  a  imion  of  the  Judson 
with  the  Tombigbee  Association.  The  argument  was 
that  the  two  would  make  one  compact  body.  The 
preambles  and  resolutions  failed  to  obtain  a  majority 
vote.  vSo  we  have  to-day  the  three  associations — the 
West  Judson,  the  Judson,  and  the  Tombigbee.  May 
the  1)le.ssing  of  the  Lord  be  upon  them  in  their  work. 


870  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 

KOSCll?SKO    ASSOCIATION. 

In  1859,  W.  W.  Nash  offered  preanil)le  and  resolu- 
tion to  the  Louisville  Association  in  session  relative  to 
a  division  of  the  body.  After  a  careful  consideration  of 
the  question,  action  on  the  overture  was  postponed  till 
their  next  annual  meeting,  and  the  churches  requested 
to  give  an  expression  of  their  wishes  on  the  subject. 
The  following  year  it  \vas  decided  that  the  division 
should  be  made,  and  letters  of  dismission  granted  to 
sixteen  churches. 

This  was  the  inception  of  the  Kosciusko  Associa- 
tion. The  sixteen  churches,  which  were  thus  peaceabh^ 
dismissed  from  the  Louisville  Association,  were  in  its 
w^estern  territory.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  Kos- 
ciusko Association  was  formed  of  churches  in  Attalla 
county  principally,  with  a  few  churches  in  southwes- 
tern Choctaw  and  southeastern  Montgomei'y.  These 
churches  were  all  in  a  half  day's  ride  of  Huntsville  in 
MontgomerA-  county,  of  Kosciusko  and  Centre  in  Atal- 
la.    They  were  in  the  geographical  centre  of  our  Stfite. 

The  people  who  composed  the  Association  were 
hardy,  honest  farmers,  who  esteemed  their  religion 
above  everything  else.  Thej^  were  not  developed  Chris- 
tian characters,  as  many  who  are  in  the  Association  at 
this  time,  but,  it  may  1)e  admitted,  of  a  superior  reli- 
gious caste.     They   had  not  much  money  to   sacrifice, 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  N71 

and,  ittliCN- liad  possessed  moans,  they  would  have  been 
slow  in  malvin<^  lart;e  eontril)utions,  as  they  were  unde- 
veloped in  that  ^itt.  They  woidd  xoke  tlieir  oxen  Fri- 
day afternoon,  and  start  in  their  ox-wa^ons  lor  chureh 
serviees,  which  were  to  be  at  11  a.  m.  Saturchiw  Thev 
would  eanip  out  at  niiiht.  They  would  stay  at  church 
to  hear  "Parson  Portwood"  ])reach  his  atternoon  ser- 
mon on  Sunday,  and  then  return  home  by  the  slow 
movemont  ot  their' oxen,  and  talk  ot  his  ]jreaehint>-  as 
they  traveled. 

It  was  on  Saturday  before  tiic  lourth  Lord's  dav  in 
Novend)er,  18(30, that  the  sixteen  churches  of  the  Louis- 
ville Association  referred  to,  with  two  newly  consti- 
tuted churches,  met  with  the  Pili^rims  Rest  church  in 
convention.  \V.  \V.  Xash,  former  moderator  of  the 
Louisville  Association,  preached  them  a  sermon.  He 
was  then  called  to  jnxside  over  the  convention,  and 
T.  S.  Durliam  was  re({ucsted  to  act  as  secretary.  The 
churches  represented  in  the  Convention  were,  Macedo- 
nia, Kosciusko,  Vockanookany,  Doty'sSprini^s,  lerusa- 
lem,  Poplar  Spriniis,  Poplar  Creek,  Xew  Hope,  I'nion, 
Pine  Bluft",  Crape  Creek,  Edi>eiiel(l,  Pilgrims  Rest,  Un- 
ion (at  Center)  Pleasant  Kidge,  Lon^-,  Creek,  Countv 
Line,  and  Rocky  Point.  The  two  new  churclies,  not  of 
the  Louisville  Association,  were  Rocky  Point  and  Cen- 
tre. 

Articles  of  taith,  constitution,  and  rules  of  decorum 
were  then  ado])ted,  and  the  Ixxly  was  ready  for  Inisi- 
ness.  The  committee  on  districting-  rejxn'ted,  diviilin!.i-^ 
the  body  into  two  districts.  It  was  a.iirecd  that  the 
next  annual  meetinti,  should  l)e  held  at  the  same  place^ 
Pilgrims  Rest  church,  which  was  eleven  miles  north- 
east of  Kosciusko. 

Some  mend)ers  of  tlie  .\ssociation  had  l)een  readin>'- 


S72  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

the  Tennessee  Baptist,  and  wished  to  see  J.  R.  Graves. 
The  motion  was  carried  to  request  J.  R.  Graves  to  at- 
tend their  next  annual  meeting;  also,  Aaron  Jones,  Jr:, 
•editor  of  the  M/ss/ss/ppy  fiaptjst,  and,  to  fill  the  list, 
J.  T.  Freeman,  ex-editor.  This  concluded  the  work  of 
their  organizing  convention. 

On  Friday  before  the  first  Saturday  in  October, 
1869,  the  representatives  of  their  churches  were  as- 
sembling again  at  Pilgrims  Rest  church.  The  name  of 
the  church  was  ver^^  inviting  to  weary  Christians.  But 
their  rest  was  disturbed  in  the  organization  of  the 
body.  Two  letters  were  received  from  the  Rocky  Point 
church.  Alore  later  about  this  rest  breaking  occur- 
rence. 

T lie  clerk  of  the  constituting  convention  was  ab- 
sent, and  E.  M.  Pettigrew  was  appointed  clerk  '^pro 
tern.'  W.  W.  Nash  was  re-elected  moderator,  and 
E.  M.  Pettigrew,  clerk.  William  McAIurtry  was  with 
them  from  the  Harmon}^  Association. 

Upon  resolution  a  wise  committee  of  five  was  ap- 
pointed to  report  on  the  perplexing  condition  of  the 
J^ockA^  Point  church.  W.  W.  Nash,  their  pastor,  was 
chairman  of  the  eommittte.  Rocky  Point  church  w^as 
near  Kosciusko,  having  that  town  as  its  post-oflice  a 
little  later.  The  Civil  War  was  in  progress,  and  a  little 
contention  was  not  much  out  of  order.  The  fact  is,  the 
Rock}'  Point  church  was  divided  into  two  parties,  the 
"Bush  party,'"  and  the  "Rushing  party;'"  and  each  of 
these  parties  was  striving  to  be  recognized  by  the  Asso- 
ciation as  the  Rocky  Point  church,  to  the  exclusion 
of  the  other.  Part  of  that  church,  composing  a  majori- 
±y  of  the  church,  had  united  with  the  "Shiloh  Primitive 
4:hurch,''  against  the  earnest  protest  of  the  minority. 
The  committee  decided  that  the  minority  was  right  in 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  873 

its  protest.  The  majority  was  led  bv  G.  \V.  Burt. 
Burt  was  exeluded,  and  after  his  exelusion,  loeeamecon- 
neeted  with  the  ehurch  offieially  without  restoration. 
A  majority  of  the  church  was  for  him  iind  constituted 
the  "Burt  party"  at  the  Association,  and  the  remain- 
der of  the  church  members  were  led  by  W.  R.  Rushin*.,'". 
It  was  recommended  b}'  the  committee  that  the  Asso- 
ciation reject  the  "Burt  jjarty"  and  receive  into  the  As- 
sociation the  party  headed  l)y  Rushing-. 

It  apj)ears  that  the  missionary'  work  had  been  pro- 
jected in  the  Association.  Sunday,  embraced  in  their 
meetin,u:,  came  with  dark  clouds,  the  rainffdl  was  heavy 
and  the  congregation  quite  small.  The  eighteen 
churches  constituting  the  body  had  S()2  members,  and 
reported  a  total  of  forty-five  l)aptisms.  \V.  W.  N^ish, 
].  F.  Wilson,  \V.  B.  Lloyd  were  their  most  jirominent 
])astors. 

The  sessi(jn  of  1S()2  was  held  witii  the  Long  Creek 
church.  The  moderator  and  treasurer  were  re-elected, 
and  S.  Durham  elected  clerk.  The  Association  was  ap- 
jDrised  of  the  fact  that  the  I*o})lar  Springs  church  of 
Leake  county  had  dissolved.  The  Ebenezer  church  was 
received  into  the  Union  from  the  Harmony  Association. 

W.  W.  Keep  was  at  the  Association,  and,  in  his 
fav(M',  their  l)usiness  was  suspended  that  he  might  rep- 
resent the  benevolence  of  giving  religious  reading  mat- 
ter to  our  army  near  \'icksl)urg. 

Only  two  special  committees  made  reports,  on  Pub- 
lications, anu  on  Foreign  missions.  The  Tennessee 
Biiptistwiis  recommended,  and  this  resolution  was  sub- 
joined to  the  rejjort  on  F'oreign  missions: 

''Resolved,  that  being  denied  the  })rivilege  of  send- 
ing means  and  minister  to  them,  tiiat  we  still  continue 
to  ])ray  for  them,  that  the  Lord  may  soon  o])en  up  the 


874  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

way  to  them  again,  and  that  they  may  have  the  word 
of  Hfe,  and  a  Hving  ministry.'" 

In  1863,  HiUman  Hill  was  an  old  man.  Intheearlv 
days  of  the  Association,  he  was  a  co-la1)orer  with  Cal- 
oway,  John  Micou,  Jr.,  and  others.  In  the  youth  of 
the  Mt.  Pisgiih,  he  did  service  for  that  Association,  and 
Avas,  for  a  time,  missionary  of  the  Harmony.  In  1863, 
the  Kosciusko  claimed  him,  and  regarded  him  as  super- 
annuated. The  kind-hearted  members  of  the  body  took 
a  collection  for  him  of  $29.75,  together  with  $5.00 
handed  him  from  the  Rocky  Point  church.  He  \vas 
then  acting  as  pastor  for  the  Ebenezer  church,  near 
Huntsville,  and  was  in  the  Association  as  one  of  the 
representatives  of  that  chuixh. 

In  18(>3,  a  committee  of  one  from  each  church  was 
appointed  as  an  Executive  Missionary  Board  to  raise 
iunds  to  send  a  missionary  to  the  Arm\'  of  the  West. 
The  Board  was  to  meet  in  Kosciusko  in  December  to 
formulate  plans  for  raising  and  expending  funds.  This 
was  commendable,  l)ut  how  to  get  the  money  to  the 
proper  men  in  the  army  was  a  difficuity  with  which  all 
the  associations  had  to  contend. 

A  futile  effort  was  made  to  get  the  churches  to  send 
up  to  the  Association  a  short  history  of  their  origen, 
and  the  numl^er  of  meml)ers  in  their  constitution.  But 
Mississijjpi  Baptists  have  Ijeen  jjrofiigate  of  their  histo- 
ry, and  have  not  to  this  date  found  a  man  willing  to 
give  himself  to  the  insipid  work  of  examining  old  mus- 
ty records,  and  of  formulating  the  detached  deeds  of 
our  people. 

J.  R.  Parish  was  a  member  of  the  Kosciusko  Asso- 
ciation in  1864-.  He  was  one  of  the  delegates  from  the 
Kosciusko  church.  H.  W.  W.  Nash,  Joel  P.  Wilson, and 
W.  B.  Lloyd  constituted  a  strong  force,  ])ut  they  had 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  875 

little  to  do,  as  the  liattles  ot  the  Civil  War  and  the 
painful  resonrees  of  Southern  arms  were  al)sorl)in^"  and 
depressing^.  The  Poplar  vSjjrings  ehureh,  of  Leake  eoun- 
ty,  had  been  revived,  and  was  admitted  again  into  the 
union  of  ehurches. 

The  annual  sessi(>n  of  lS6o, being  in  the  fall,  was  af- 
ter the  elose  of  the  Civil  War.  The  body  wore  a  most 
cheerful  faee,  but,  ]jkc  all  our  associations  at  that  date, 
it  was  exhausted.  Years  had  to  pass,  years  of  re- 
adjustment of  affairs,  years  of  reconstruction,  before 
the}'  felt  the  throb  of  life,  and  displayed  force  .'ind  ani- ' 
mation.  Their  ministers  were  W.  W.  Nash,  \V.  B. 
Lloyd,  J.  F.  Wilson,  D.  P.  J(mes,  W.  H.  Hatsell,  James 
Newman,  John  Ka}-,  J.  W.  Simms,  and  J.  T.  Fulks.  The 
names  of  W.  H.  Head  and  H.J.  Vanlandingham  appear 
on  their  minutes  of  that  year.  The  Samaria  church 
^vas  received  from  the  Harmon\'  Association.  H.  Hill, 
worthy  old  man,  was  still  living.  A  sniidl  collection 
was  taken  for  him  which  was  much  to  him.  It  carried 
with  it  its  aroma  of  the  high  esteem  of  his  brethren  for 
his  noble  life,  tmd  showed  that  he  was  not  forgotten. 

In  1866,  W.  W.  Nash  was  again  chosen  moderator, 
and  S.  Durham  clerk  and  treasurer.  Four  churches 
were  received  into  the  Association,  Bethel,  Providence, 
Carson's  Ridge  and  Bethesda.  The  church  last  named 
was  from  the  Louisville  Association,  the  other  three 
were  newly  c(5nstituted  churches. 

In  that  year,  there  were  signs  of  returning  life. 
The_v  bcgiin  to  get  ready  for  work.  A  full  list  of  com- 
mittees was  a])pointed,  and  a  large  E)xecutive  Board 
was  constituted. 

The  committee  on  Sunday  Schools  reconnnended 
the  organization  of  Sunday  Schools  in  their  churches. 
During  the  war  they  i)crmitted   their   Sunday  Schools 


S76  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

to  become  disorganized,  and  no  Sunday  school  was  re- 
ported to  the  Association.  The  district  meetings  were 
requested  to  take  the  subject  under  consideration,  and 
it  was  suggested  that  a  standing  committee  of  three  be 
appointed  to  propose  something  for  the  promotion  of 
Sunday  Schools  in  their  bounds. 

The  condition  of  the  churches  was,  upon  the  whole, 
^encouraging.  Some  of  them  were  cold  and  passive,  but 
others  reported  large  accessions  by  baptism.  Doty's 
Springs,  Pleasant  Ridge,  and  Long  Creek  churches  were 
in  a  prosperous  condition.  The  churches  of  the  body 
reported  109  accessions  b3'-  baptism. 

The  following  3'ear,the  Association  had  the  misfor- 
tune to  lose  one  of  their  best  and  most  gifted  men;  the 
man  who  w^as  largely  instrumental  in  the  constitution 
of  the  Kosciusko  Association.  That  man  was  \V.  W. 
Nash.  He  was  a  man  of  line  common  sense,  of  good 
ability  and  Christian  zeal.  He  was  chairman  of  the 
constitution  convention,  and  was  moderator  of  that 
bod}'  repeatedly.  He  moved  to  Robertson  county, 
Texas. 

That  year,  Wm.  B.  Llo3'd  was  chosen  moderator, 
and  S.  Durham,  clerk.  Liberty,  a  newlv  constituted 
church,  was  received  into  the  body. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Sunday  Schools  re- 
ported, making  two  suggestions;  that,  each  church  in 
the  Association  be  requested  to  organize  a  Sunday' 
School,  and  that  each  church  report  the  next  year  the 
number  of  scholars  and  teacher, s  and  the  progress  of 
its  Sunda\'  School.  Th^it  was  next  thing  to  having 
.something  done. 

The  year  follow^ing  tlie  report  on  Sunday  Schoools 
w^as  exceeding  short,  but  encouraging.  It  reveals  the 
fact  that  some  of  the  churches  had  organized  Sunday 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  877 

Schools,  and  there  was  hope  that  others  would  emulate 
their  example.  The  chairman  of  the  committee  seems  tO' 
have  been  tired  when  he  was  writint^  the  report,  which 
is  a  matter  of  profound  reij^ret. 

That  3'ear  one  newly  constituted  church  was  re- 
ceived into  the  fellowship,  the  Spring  Dale.  The  names 
of  some  of  their  churches  make  a  thirsty  man's  mouth 
water,  and  suggest  that  the  Kosciusko  Association  had 
in  its  territory  inviting  springs  and  rippling  rills.  One 
of  God's  greatest  blessings  is  a  sufficiency  of  clean,  pure 
water. 

In  1869,  the  Associational  gathering  was  1)lessed 
with  the  presence  of  James  Nelson,  T.J.  Walne,  W.  H. 
Head,  and  H.  W.  Portwood.  The  body  showed  signs 
of  returning  life.  Their  committee  on  Missions  recom- 
mended that  each  church  take  a  collection  for  associa- 
tional missions,  and  that  the  pastors  urge  them  to  do 
so.  It  also  recommended  the  appointment  of  an  Exec- 
utive Board,  consisting  of  the  officers  of  the  Board  and 
ten  others.  The  report  on  Ministerial  Education,, 
made  by  J.  R.  Parish,  had  in  it  two  requests,  that  the 
churches  incjuire  in  their  midst  for  young  men  called  of 
God  to  preach,  that  the  Association  provide  the  means 
for  their  education.  Mississippi  College  was  heartih- 
endorsed  as  the  place  to  educate  their  young  ministers. 

In  the  year  1870,  there  v^^as  a  visible  decline  in  the 
working  power  of  the  body.  Nelson  and  Walne  were 
not  there,  and  Parish  was  missing.  W.  B.  Lloyd,  now 
their  Nestor,  was  again  in  the  moderator's  chair,  and 
J.  S.  Holloway  was  their  scribe. 

In  their  reports.  The  B/iptist,  of  Memphis,  was  re- 
commended, and  the  pastors  requested  to  do  mission- 
ary work  in  their  bounds.  No  financial  statement  was 
made,  except  of  nionc}' sent  by   the   churches   iov    Min- 


87S  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

utes.     There  were  at  that  time  27  churches  in  the  insti- 
tution with  a  total  nienilDership  of  1,334. 

The  eleventh  session  of  the  bod3'  ^vas  held  with  the 
Poplar  Creek  church,  Montgomery  county,  beginning- 
October  14-,  1S71.  The  oificers  of  the  jjrevious  year 
Avere  re-elected.  The  Seneash  church  was  I'eceived  in- 
to their  membership. 

Some  one  in  the  Association  felt  that  the  time  had 
■come  for  the  prosecution  of  their  missionary  work  vig- 
orously, and  was  bold  in  the  assertion  of  his  mission- 
<iry  convictions.  He  presented  the  following  resolu- 
tion, and  had  it  adopted: 

Eesolred,  That  we  employ  a  missionary  for  the 
next  associational  year,  and  that  there  lie  an  Executive 
Boai'd  appointed,  consisting  of  the  officers  of  this  Asso- 
ciation and  nine  (9)  other  members,  said  Board  to  con- 
tract with  i\  missionary,  and  we  pledge  ourselves  to 
raise  the  funds  to  comply  \vith  said  contract." 

A.  H.  Booth  })resented  the  rei)ort  on  Sunday 
Schools.  He  expressed  pleasure  over  the  fact  that  some 
ot  the  churches  had  Sunda^^  Schools,  and  that  all  of 
them  felt  the  importance  of  the  work.  The  delegates 
Avere  requested  to  organize  Sunday  Schools  in  their  re- 
spective churches. 

In  compliance  with  the  re(iuest  of  the  Association, 
a  missionary  was  put  into  the  field.  W.  M.  Farrar, 
true  and  tried,  was  their  missionary.  He  labored  seven 
and  a  half  mcmths  at  a  salary  of  $75.00  a  month.  A 
good  part  of  it  was  due  him  at  the  Association  of  1872. 
The  debt  was  paid  off  at  once,  and  the  Board  discharg- 
ed. Organized  work  seems  to  h^ive  been  abandoned  in 
short  order. 

General  M.  P.  Lowrey  was  with  them,  and  made  a 
fine  impression.     By  solemn  resolution,  they  expressed 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  S79 

their   profoiind    i^raditiuk-   to  (>()d  for  the  two  sermons 
he  preaehed,  one  on  Sunday  and  the  other  on  Monday. 
He  preached  on  Sunday  on  tlic  Nature  nnd   Mission   of 
H  New  Testament  Church  and  on    Monday  on    Church 
Communion. 

It  was  in  1S72  that  they  adopted  their  first  resoki- 
tions  on  The  Orphan's  Plome.  The  home  was  in  dis- 
tress, and  must  have  hel|).  The  dele«i^ates  werere(|uest- 
ed  to  present  this  matter  to  their  respective  churches 
at    the  first  church  meeting. 

The  treasurer  reported  for  Missions  $549.55.  They 
had  25  churches  enrolled  with  an  aggregate  member- 
ship of  1,4-1(3. 

The  following  year,  they  had  no  Executive  Bojird 
to  report,  and  the  treasurer  did  not  report  anything 
contributed  for  Foreign  or  Associational  missions.  The 
sudden  revolt  of  feeling  is  scarcely  comjjrehensible.  We 
\vere  ex]:)ecting  more  livei\-  days.  The  of^cers  of  the 
])revious  year  \vere  re-elected. 

Two  good  resolutions  were  adc^jted  at  that  meet- 
ing; one  expressive  of  j^leasure  as  to  the  work  done  by 
Mississip])i  College  in  Ministerial  Education,  and  the 
other  as  to  giving  assistance  to  Rowland  and  Fulks, 
superannuated  ministers.  Educate  the  young  ])eople, 
keep  the  old  above  want. 

In  1874,  ])erha()S,  Joel  F.  Wilson  was  the  most  in- 
fluential man  in  the  Association.  He  was  a  man  with 
a  thoughtful  lace,  and  a  mouth  indicative  of  decision  of 
character.  He  wjis  then  44  years  old,  just  in  his 
prime.  He  had  large  influence  with  the  rank  and  file  of 
the  Association,  but  he  was  cautious  in  his  missionary 
views.  He  was  that  year  elected  moderator  of  the  As- 
sociation. 

T.    Y.    Rowland,  the   superannuated    minister  just 


880  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

mentioned,  had  died  during  the  associational  year,  and 
measures  were  inaugurated  to  put  a  monument  over 
his  grave.  The  sum  of  $10.35  was  contributed  at  the 
association  for  J.  T.  Fulks.  The  old  ministers  were  in 
faiUng  health,  and  d^-ing,  but  thev  were  not  being  re- 
cruited by  any  3'oung  men  in  the  ministry.  The^^  need- 
ed fresh  l)lood;  men  w'ho  had  been  in  elbow  touch  with 
Baptists  of  decided  missionary  convictions. 

The  following  year  D.  L.  Wilson  was  at  Mississippi 
College.  He  was  a  3'oung  minister,  and  a  member  of 
the  Poplar  Creek  Church.  A  collection  was  taken  at 
this  Association  to  liquidate  a  debt  incurred  by  him, the 
collection  amounting  to  $6.75.  That  was  good.  We 
are  not  to  despise  the  day  of  small  things.  The  engine 
that  puffs  and  moves  slowdy  away  from  the  station, 
moves  rapidly  a  little  while  later,  with  the  same  head 
of  steam. 

/i  resolution  w^as  passed  to  again  organize  an  Ex- 
ecutive Board.  It  was  to  be  composed  of  one  memljer 
from  each  church,  seven  of  whom  were  to  constitute  a 
quorum.  The  face  of  the  Association  w^as  turned  in  the 
right  direction.  Their  hearts  were  all  right,  and  all 
they  needed  was  to  overcome  their  inertia.  The  body 
was  composed  of  men  of  sterling  w^orth.  A.  H.  Booth 
was  in  himself  a  d\mamo  of  wonderful  electric  force. 
He  was  one  of  nature's  finest  physical  and  mental  pro- 
ductions. His  movements  were  slow  ])ut  accelerated, 
and  his  judgment  usually  correct.  He  was  a  fair  repre- 
sentative of  his  constituency. 

In  1876,  the  Executive  Board  reported  the  work 
done  through  the  associational  year.  Joel  F.  Wilson 
was  under  their  appointment,  and  labored  at  a  place 
called  Brown's  School  House.  He  reported  the  pros- 
pects very  encouraging.     Wm.  C.  Veazy  visited  Keavis* 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  8Sl 

School  House,  where  he  constituted  a  cliureh  of  IS 
members.  W.  B  Lloyd  preached  seven  days  at  Hurri- 
cane with  ^reat  success.  D.  A.  Ellin<>t()n,  their  [moder- 
ator, labored  near  the  mouth  of  Long  Creek,  and  was 
encouraged.     This  was  a  good  effort  in  a  good  work. 

The  following  year  the  finance  committee  reported 
$16.80  received  for  Missions.  The  Executive  Board 
made  no  report.  The  report  on  Missions  had  in  it  no 
recommendations,  though  A.  H.  Booth  was  chairman. 
But  after  the  report  was  adopted  a  splendid^coUection. 
was  taken  amounting  to  $68.25. 

The  committee  on  Documents  recommended  first, 
The  Baptist,  of  Memphis;  after  it,  Ford's  Christian  Re- 
pository, Kind  Words,  The  Southern  Baptist,  of  Meri 
dian,  and  The  Baptist  Record.  It  was  said  that  The 
Baptist  Record  should  be  in  the  house  of  every  Baptist 
in  the  State. 

The  Minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  body  in  1878 
were  printed  by  The  Baptist  Record  in  good  open  tjjie, 
and  are  a  pleasure  to  the  eye  strained  l^y  long  and  con- 
tinuous reading  of  old  Minutes.  We  notice  the  pres- 
ence of  A.  \'.  Rowe  at  that  meeting.  W.  B.  Lloyd  was 
moderator,  and  W.  AL  Farrar,  clerk. 

Their  treasui'cr,  J.  Scott  Ra^^  reported  as  passing" 
through  his  hands  for  Home  missions,  $16.80;  for  For- 
eign missions,  $13.75.  Of  course,  this  was  not  a  full 
report  of  what  the  churches  had  done  for  these  objects. 
We  notice  that  J.  T.  Freeman,  W^.  F.  Skinner,  and  T.  .\. 
Moore  were  among  the  pastors  of  the  churches  that 
year.     The  usual  reports  were  adopted. 

The  manuscript  copy  of  the  Minutes  of  1S79,  was 
burned  in  the  disastrous  fire  in  Jackson  that  year, 
Avhich  destroyed  the  office,  j)rinting  outfit  and  file  of 
The  Baptist  Record. 


8S2  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  twentieth  annual  session  was  held  with  the 
Pine  Bluff  ehurch,  beginning  Oetober  16,  1880.  W.  B. 
Lloyd  was  ehosen  moderator,  and  D.  T.  Guyton,  clerk 
and  treasurer.  New  Salem,  a  newly  constituted 
churcii,  was  received.  T.  J.  Walne  was  a  welcome 
visitor. 

In  their  report  on  Documents,  The  Baptist  Record 
was  second  in  their  commendation  only  to  the  Bible. 
T.  A.  Aloore  read  the  report  on  Sunday  Schools.  He 
was  corresponding  secrettiry  for  Sunday  Schools  in  the 
Association.  He  met  three  great  hindrances  in  the 
work:  1st,  want  of  time  to  visit  the  churches;  2nd,  bad 
weather,  and  3rd,  a  failure  of  superintendents  and 
clerks  to  send  reports  from  their  schools.  Six  Sunday 
Schools  were  re])orted  to  the  Association,  four  of  which 
Avere  in  a  prosperous  condition. 

The  report  on  Missions  was  presented  by  A.  H. 
Booth,  after  which  addresses  were  mode  by  A.  V.  Rowe 
and  A.  H.  Booth.  Note  this  language  tjuoted  from 
their  Minute:  "The  delegates  were  so  enthused  on  the 
subject  that  they  pledged  themselves  to  try  to  raise  a 
fund  in  their  respective  churches,  amounting,  in  the  ag- 
^gregateto  $205.00  for  Home,  and  $187.00  for  Foreign 
missions,  and  private  pledges  to  Foreign  missions, 
$27.00,  and  cash,  $4.50.  Grand  total,  $423.50." 
Truly,  a  better  day  wfis  dawning. 

In  1880,  there  were  27  churches  in  the  Kosciusko 
Association  with  a  total  membership  of  1,320.  Four 
of  the  churches  had  over  one  hundred  members  each — 
Bethesda,  P^oplar  Creek,  Long  Creek  (Sallis),  and 
CountA'  Line. 

Their  21st  annual  session  was  held  with  the  Jeru- 
salem church,  Attala  county,  beginning  Oct.  15,  1881. 
W.  B.    Lloyd  was  again,  and  for  the  last  time,  elected 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


883 


Tnoderator.  He  was  growing  old,  and  was  too  feeble 
to  attend  their  meeting.  Before  this  session  adjourned, 
he  had  to  vacate  his  chair  because  of  illness,  and  J.  P. 
Brown  was  called  upon  to  preside  to  the  close  of  the 
service.  It  is  said  that  W.  B.  Lloyd  was  then  the  old- 
est Baptist  minister  in  the  State.  He  was  deficient  in 
missionary  zeal,  but  was  in  his  conservative  life,  pure, 
and  was  universally  loved  and  respected.  His  home 
was  near  Sallis,  between  Kosciusko  and  Durant.  At 
the  session  of  1S81,  by  acclamation,  he  was  chosen 
moderator,  and  D.  T.  Guyton,  clerk  and  treasurer. 
Two  churches  were  received  upon  letters  of  petition — 
Bowlin  and  Harmon^-. 

On  Sunday,  at  the  conclusion  of  a  sermon  preached 
by  A.  H.  Booth,  a  collection  was  taken  for  Foreign 
missions  am(iunting  to  $30.00,  and  after  a  sermon  by 
A.  V.  Rowe,  ct  gift  collection  was  made  for  the  benefit 
-of  D.  Burney,  who  had  the  mistortune  of  having  his 
iiome  burned,  amounting  to  $35.00. 

The  recommendation  made  at  the  previous  session 
as  to  the  appointment  of  a  secretary  for  Sunday 
Schools  was  so  altered  as  to  appoint  one  for  each  ot 
their  three  districts.  The  regret  was  exi)ressed  that  so 
little  had  l)een  done  in  this  interest,  but  it  was  recom- 
mended that  they  continue  the  plan.  In  pursuance  of 
this  recommendation,  K.  J.  Thrailkill,  Wiley  Sanders, 
x'lnd  W.  S.  Gilliard  were  appointed  as  repi-esentative  of 
the  three    districts,  respectively. 

In  their  report  on  missions,  two  regrets  were  ex- 
pressed; one  that  many  of  the  churches  were  giving  the 
negative  to  their  faith  as  Missionary  Baptists  by  inac- 
tion, and  the  other  that  some  were  trying  to  justify 
themselves  in  their  inefficiency  by  objections  to  the phm 
of  conducting  the  work  of  State  missions.     Yet  it  is  ex- 


884  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

ceedingly  gratifying  to  see  in  their  financial  statement 
that  the^'  had  contributed  to  Home  missions  $30.30, 
to  African  missions  $1.10,  to  Indian  missions  $2.50^ 
and  to  Foreign  missions  $25.95.  This  gratiiicatio.i  is 
expressed  more  because  of  the  number  of  Missions  con- 
tributed to,  than  as  to  the  amount  given. 

It  was  in  the  3^ear  1882,  that  this  Association 
showed  itself  missionar}'  in  fact,  as  well  as  in  theory .. 
The  signs  of  progress  the  ^-ear  before  were  not  mislead- 
ing. After  a  good  sermon  on  Sunday  b3^  J.  B.  Gam- 
brell  on  "Service,"  a  collection  was  taken  for  State 
missions  of  $27.00.  The  report  on  State  and  Home 
missions  was  made  b\^  W.  M.  Farrar.  The  veteran 
missionary  was  on  Pisgah,  viewing  the  country  soon 
to  be  possessed.     He  said: 

"In  view  of  the  great  destituion  in  our  bounds,  we 
]>elieve  the  time  has  come  when  the  missionarx-  work 
should  be  vigorously  prosecuted  here,  and  to  this  end, 
we  recommend  co-operation  with  the  State  Boca'd,and 
ask  that  it  appoint  a  missionary  and  colporter  to  labor 
within  the  bounds  of  this  Association."  An  amend- 
ment was  then  made  to  their  report  that  the  collection 
taken  on  Sunda^^  be  reserved  for  tlie  support  of  their 
missionary  and  evangelist. 

On  page  seven  of  their  Minutes  there  are  two  cheer- 
ing facts  stated.  It  there  appears  that  their  Commit- 
tee on  Finance  had  received  $27.30  for  State  missions, 
and  $50.60  tor  Foreign  missions.  And,  Joel  F.  Wilson, 
"our  dear  l^rother,"  was  appointed  evangelist  "to  la- 
bor in  our  midst,'"  and  a  board  of  seven,  together  with 
the  moderator  and  clerk, co-operate  with  the  State  Mis- 
sion Board,  in  the  appointment  of  one  suital)le  for  mis- 
sionary work  in  their  midst.  The  noble  action  was 
taken  ot  pledging  for   this   work   $580.00,   the   Long 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  885 

Creek  (Sallis)  church  plcdiiinu"  $100.00,  and  the  Kos- 
ciusko obhij;ating  itself  for  the  collection  of  the  same 
amount.  The  noble  people  were  beginning  to  shake 
themselves,  and  to  feel  their  strength. 

The  session  of  1SS8  was  held  with  the  Spriiig  Dale 
church.  J.  F.  Wilson  superceeded  as  moderator,  Wiler 
Sanders,  of  the  year  jjrevious.  Antioch  church  of  Car- 
roll county,  and  Rocky  Point  of  Leake,  were  received. 
W.  S.  Webb,  A.  II.  Booth,  W.  M.  McMurtry,  R.  G. 
Barrett  and  J.  B.  Gaml)rell  were  received  as  correspond- 
ents. W.  S.  Wel)b  and  J.  B.  Gambrcll  prefiched  on  Sun- 
day. A  cash  collection  was  taken  of  $37.40  for  Minis- 
terial Education.  R.  A.  Cohron  and  T.  J.  Bailey  repre- 
sented the  Yazoo  Association,  and  L.  C.  Kcllis  and 
\'.  H.  Nelson,  the  Central. 

A  large  Executive  Board  was  appointed.  The 
amount  of  $19S.o()  was  pledged  to  Foreign  missions. 
The  Baptist  Record  was  heartily  commended.  The  re- 
port on  Home  missions  had  a  statement  of  the  fact  that 
Mrs.  M.J.  Nelson  was  doing  missionary'  work  in  New^ 
Orleans,  and  Mrs.  Janie  Lowrey  Sanford  was  in  San 
Francisco, Cal.,lcd)oring  with  the  Chinese.  The  financial 
statement  showed  received  for  Foreign  missions  $53.10, 
for  State  missions,  $13.45  for  Associational  missions. 
$1S.20,  for  Ministerial  Educaticm,  $37.05,  for  Home 
Missions,  $7.15,  and  for  Tracts,  v$1.05. 

The  following  year,  A.  H.  Booth  presented  the  re- 
])()rt  on  .\ssociational  missions.  He  was  careful  to  ex- 
])lain  what  this  mission  was,  stated  that  there  wasdes- 
titution  in  their  bounds  that  ought  to  be  occupied,  and 
called  special  attention  to  the  rejjort  of  H.  W.  Port- 
wood,  their  missionary.  The  E.xecutive  Board  stated 
that  attention  had  lieen  called  to  the  destitution  on 
their  northwestern  boundary.     Owing  to  sickness,  in- 


886  HISTORY     OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

clement  weather  and  bad  roads,  H.  W.  I'ortwood, their 
missionary,  had  not  heen  able  to  do  the  amount  of 
work  desired.  The  work  was  new,  and  the  progress 
must,  of  necessity,  be  slow.  An  executive  Board  of 
twenty-nine,  one  from  each  church,  was  appointed.  All 
of  the  usual  reports  were  received. 

The  fort^'-seventh  session  was  held  with  the  New 
Hope  church,  Attalla  county,  beginning-  Oct.  18,  1886. 
A.  H.  Booth  was  elected  moderator,  and  J.  T.  Fowler, 
clerk  and  treasurer.  The  Kosciusko  church  wiis  repre- 
sented liy  J.  P.  Landsdale,  John  H.  Anderson,  the  bril- 
liant newspaper  editor,  and  J.  P.  Brown,  the  noble  Ap- 
pelles  of  Mississippi  Baptists,  and  Joel  F.  Wilson,  a 
charged  electric  conductor,  was  with  them  from  the 
Pleasant  Ridge  church. 

Their  Executive  Board  of  one  from  each  church  was 
found  unwieldy.  A  board  consisting  of  live  (5)  was 
appointed  to  co-operate  with  the  Convention  Board  in 
its  missionary  movements.  They  were  then  contribut- 
ing to  Foreign  missions,  Sustentation,  the  State  Board, 
Home  missions,  and  Mississippi  College. 

The  Central  Committee  of  Woman's  work,  in  the 
Convention,  appointed  the  year  before,  reported  six  so- 
cieties in  the  churches.  They  had  collected  $24'8. 25, and 
had  disbursed  it  to  Foreign  Missions,  vState  Missions, 
New  Orleans  missions,  Mississippi  College,  Home  mis- 
sions, charity  and  other  objects. 

At  the  session  of  1887,  D.  T.  Guytt)n  was  chosen 
moderator,  andj.  T.  Fowler,  clerk  and  treasurer.  The 
meeting  was  held  with  the  Pleasant  Ridge  church. 

One  church  in  the  Association  asked  foi  aid,  the 
Beulah  church.  The  interest  among  the  churches  on 
the  subject  was  increasing,  and  the  Association  assum- 
ing   position  with  the  active  associations  of  the  State 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  S87 

Convention.  Their  contributions  to  missions  were  lie- 
coming"  larger  and  more  diversified.  It  was  a  gradu'^d. 
but  perceptible  and  healthy  growth. 

J.  r*.  Brown  jiresented  their  re])ort  on  Sundav 
Schools.  He  recommended  that  pastors  instruct  their 
churches  as  to  their  duty  to  the  Sunda\-  Schools,  and 
that  each  church  organize  oneor'morc  schools,  and  give 
statistics  in  their  letters  to  the  Association.  He  re- 
ported a  total  attendance  in  their  schools  of  334. 

The  following  year  good  reports  were  made  on  For- 
eign Missions,  State  missions.  Home  Missions,  Pul)lica- 
tions,  Education,  Sabbath  Schools,  Pastoral  Support, 
Sustentation,  Temperance, Nominations,  Spiritual  Con- 
dition of  the  Churches,  I^^inance  and  Woman's  Work. 
The  Pleasant  Grove  church  w^is received. 

Their  Executive  Board, duly  organized  by  the  election 
of  ().  C.  Parker  as  chairman,  and  J.  P.  Brown  as  secre- 
tary, had  been  at  work.  They  realized  the  importance 
ofs^'stem  in  the  successful  jirosccution  of  missionarv 
\vork,and  recommended  that  collections  bj  tc'd<enc|uar- 
terly  for  the  interests  fostered  l)y  the  Convention.  Joel 
F.  Wilson  had  done  missionary  work  at  McCool,  C.  C* 
Gaddy  at  Beulah  and  Macedonia,  H.  W.  I'ortwood  at 
New  Salem,  and  David  Hurney  at  Mt.  X'crnon. 

The  next  year  the  Board  reported  gratifying  prog- 
ress. McCool,  Pleasant  Grove,  Beulah, Xew  Salem, and 
Senasha  had  received  heli),  the  total  amount  expended 
on  them  being  $21  "),<)().  So  much  encouraged  was  the 
Board,  that  it  was  suggested  they  a])point  a  missiona- 
ry and  colporter  for  all  liis  time.  It  was  also  recom- 
mended that  the  Board  be  increased  to  seven  and  lo- 
cated at  Kosciusko. 

in  l.S9(),  there  were  thirty-three  churches  in  tjie  un- 
ion with  a  total  mend)ership  of  1,'.)1  1 .      The  bod\-  was 


888  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

getting  lar<i^e  in  numljers  and  strong  in  good  work. 
The  churches  reported  that  year  180  baptisms  and  112 
received  by  letter.  The  churches  had  763  male  mem- 
bers and  1,112  female  members.  Six  Sunday  Schools 
reported  an  aggregate  membership  of  233.  The 
churches  gave  that  year  as  reported,  to  State  Missions, 
$88.50,  to  Home  Missions,  $26.10,  to  Ministerial  Ed- 
ucation, $43.60,  to  Mississippi  College,  $105.45,  and 
toother  objects  $436.55. 

In  the  decade  between  1890  and  1900,  as  usual,  re- 
ports were  received  annually  on  temperance.  The  se- 
rious contention,  in  that  part  of  the  State,  between  the 
advocates  of  temperance  and  the  supporters  of  the  open 
saloon,  had,  before  that  time,  terminated  in  a  victory 
for  sobriety.  They  were  a  country  people,  mostly,  and 
were  not  worried  by  "blind  tigers"  and,  "hop-joints, '"as 
were  other  associations.  But  we  will  give  some  quota- 
tions from  their  reports  on  temperance.  "Your  com- 
mittee believes  it  is  time  for,  and  call  upon  all  Baptists 
to  use  all  moral  and  legal  power  at  their  disposal  for 
the  riddance  of  our  country  of  its  evil  effects,"  (1892). 
"Therefore  your  committee  favors  a  strong  prohibition 
law,  that  will  protect  the  young  men  of  our  country, 
and  raise  them  to  a  higher  plane  of  morality  and  use- 
fulness." "While  we  are  trimming  the  branches,  let  us 
have  the  axe  at  the  root  of  the  tree— the  nations." 

Their  reports  on  Publications  through  this  decade 
uniformlv  recommended  The  Foreign  Journal  and 
Kind  Words.  The  Southern  Baptist  Record  was  com- 
mended in  1891  and  1892,  and  along  \vith  it  in  1893, 
The  Baptist  Layman,  the  Western  Recorder,  and  the 
Examiner,  with  the  Home  Field.  From  that  time  till 
the  launching  of  the  new  enterprise,  T/zeBaptyst,at  Jack- 
son, The  Record  and  The  Layman  were  equally  com- 


IIISTOKV     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  889 

mended.  The  Kosciusko  Association  has  lieen  true  to 
ovir  paper  interests. 

This  Association  was  contributing  to  the  support  of 
our  old  and  decrepid  ministers  many  3'ears  before  the 
Board  of  Sustcntation  was  formed  by  the  State  Con- 
vention. In  1892,  that  old  soldier  of  the  cross,  A.  H. 
Booth,  the  hero  of  many  spiritual  battles,  the  great 
theologian,  the  profound  preacher,  was  in  his  last  ill- 
ness. The  Association  sent  him  $20.00  for  his  imme- 
diate relief.  The  purse  was  a  small  token  of  their  ap- 
preciation of  the  great  man,  and  of  their  sympathy  for 
him  in  his  lingering  illness.  In  1896,  they  kindly  re- 
membered T.  C.  McCool,  and  aided  him  in  meeting  ac- 
tual necessities.  In  1899,  the  Committee  on  Sustcnta- 
tion recommended  to  the  churches  of  the  Association 
that  they  contril)ute  to  this  fund  in  the  month  of  De- 
cember, "as  a  Christmas  offering  for  the  noble  cause.'' 

Our  orphanage  at  Jackson  received  due  and  sub- 
stantial notice  in  the  last   3^ears   of  that  century.     In 

1899,  they  took  a   collection  for  the   orphans,   and  in 

1900,  the  committee  on  this  "sweet  charity,*' explained 
carefulh'  the  origin  and  needs  of  the  lienevolcnt  insti- 
tution. 

Reports  were  made  annually  on  Sunday  Schools. 
Gcneralh'  the  reports  on  Sunday  Schools  were  clothed 
with  little  interest.  A  Sunday  School  is  something  a 
church  is  restless  without  and  cares  very  little  for  when 
it  has  one.  It  was  insisted  upon,  now  and  then,  that 
the  churches  send  statistics  of  their  Sunday  Schools 
to  the  Association,  but  the  recpiest  was  as  the  accus- 
tomed noise  of  water  falling  over  the  mill  wheel.  In 
1878,  nine  Sunday  Schools  were  reptyted,  Kosciusko, 
Ethel,  Yockanookany,  Stump  Bridge,  Spring  Dale,  Sa- 
maria, Bowlin,  Long  Creek,  and   McCool. 


890  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSII'I'I     BAPTISTS. 

The  Kosciusko  received  reports  annually  on  the  sub- 
ject of  education.  Thev  were  invMrifiljle  in  their  recom- 
mendations of  Mississijipi  Colle<^e  to  their  constit- 
uency, as  worthy  of  patronage  and  pecuniary  sup])ort. 
It  w^as  one  of  the  early  characteristics  of  the  body,  to 
show  great  interest  in  Ministerial  Education.  In  1895 
and  1897  the  Southern  B£ii)tist  Theological  Seminary 
was  favorably  spoken  of. 

In  this  decade,  Woman's  Work  was  noticed  an- 
nually with  great  favor,  and  unanimous  approval.  In 
their  report  of  1895,  we  find  the  language:  "We  rec- 
ommend the  organization  of  a  Woman's  Missionary 
Society  in  every  church  of  tliis  Association."  In  1898, 
there  were  Womans  Alissionary  Societies  in  Long 
Creek,  Kociusko,  Jind  Samaria  churches,  which  gave  a 
total  contril)ution  to  missions  of$2G.45,  to  Mississippi 
College,  $15.20,  to  the  Orphanage,  $10.00,  to  yellow 
fever  sufferers,  $5.00,  boxes  valued  at  $31.50,  to  Plome 
missions  and  for  Home  uses,  $115.80. 

We  have  seen  that,  to  1890,  there  was  a  growing- 
interest  among  them  on  missions.  Here  we  find  the 
pulse- beat  of  an  association.  In  1891,  their  Executive 
Board  had  four  missionaries,  J.  V.  Wilson  at  New  Sa- 
lem, D.  L.  Williams,  at  Ethel,  J.  M.  Dotson  at  Stump 
Bridge,  and  W.  F.  Skinner  at  Antioch.  They  had  re- 
ceived thirteen  l)y  bajitism.  The  following  year  they 
reported  for  State  missions  $38.25,  for  Foreign  mis- 
sions, $24. 3(.),  and  for  Home  missions,  $57.90. 

In  the  report  on  Missions  in  1894-,  it  is  said:  "We 
are  endeavoring  to  supply  the  destitution  in  the  Ijounds 
ot  our  State  through  the  Convention  Board,  located  at 
Jackson,  with  A^  \'.  Kowe  as  Corres])onding  Secretary. 
The  next  year  it  was  recommended  that  they  supple- 
ment the   salarv   of   W.  F.  Skinner,    at    Antioch,  and 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAI*TISTS.  H91 

J.  C.  Thompson,  at  North  Union.  In  1S97,  the  Bxecu- 
tive  Board  reccomniendcd  to  tlic  Convention  Board 
that  aid  he  extended  to  Stump  Bridj^^e^oHy  Grove, and 
Antioeh.  The  Bellefontaine  church  was,  upon  jthe  ad- 
vise of  the  Executive  Board,  disbanded,  ?ind  its  mem- 
liers  went  to  strengthen  the  Ethel  church.  The  follow- 
ing \'ear  it  was  suggested  that  Stumj)  Bridge  be  su])- 
plied  with  a  good  strong  man. 

In  the  year  1900,  through  the  advise  of  the  Execu- 
tive Board,  the  Convention  Board  was  aiding  Stump 
Bridge  $25.10  a  year,  Seneasha,  $25.00,  and  Crai)e 
Creek,  $25.00.  It  appears  that  there  was  some  oppo- 
sition in  the  Association  to  supplementing  ttie  salaries 
of  piistors,  and  it  was  resolved  th^it  "we  commend  our 
Board  in  the  wise  and  judicious  care  with  which  they 
have   managed   the   work   placed   in   their  hands.'" 

Let  us  notice  their  contril)utions  in  1890,  1895, and 
1900,  to  State,  Foreign  and  Home  missions.  In  1890, 
they  gave  to  State;  missions  $27.4-5,  to  Foreign  mis- 
sions, $9.86,  and  to  Home  missions,  $92.-16.  In  1895, 
to  State  missions,  $70.00,  to  Foreign  missions,  $57.17, 
and  to  Home  missions,  $14-.95.  In  1900,  to  missions 
$34-2.85,  which  was  far  in  advance  of  what  they  had 
done  in  either  one  of  the  other  two  years. 

In  this  decade  thc3'  lost  A.  H.  Booth.  He  served 
them  many  years  with  great  efficiency,  and  they  de- 
lighted to  honor  him  with  the  gift  of  the  highest  posi- 
tion they  had  at  their  dis])()sal — the  ])osition  of  Moder- 
ator. They  said:  "He  be(|ucathe(l  us  a  rich  legacy  in 
his  exami)le  of  (lodliness." 

In  1898,  the  Kosciusko  suffered  the  loss  of  Joel  I'\ 
Wilson.  His  name  is  indissolubly  connected  with  their 
history.  He  was  a  man  of  one  l)<M)k,  the  Holy  Bible. 
He  studied  it  before  a  i)ine-knot  tire,  and  in  the  solitude 


8  92  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

of  his  daily  toils.  He  was  positive  and  unswerving" 
when  he  felt  he  was  supported  by  gospel  truth.  A 
sketch  of  his  life,  and  of  the  life  of  A.  H.  Booth  may  be 
found  in  Foster's  Mississippi  Baptist  Preachers. 

].  vScott  Kay  died  Septemlier  30,  1899.  He  was  a 
native  of  Alabama,  but  came  to  Attalla  countv.  Miss., 
in  1<S5().  He  became  a  church  member  in  1858.  He 
was  long  an  honored  and  useful  member  of  the  Kos- 
ciusko Association.  It  has  been  said,  that  wet  or  dry, 
hot  or  cold,  he  did  not  fail  to  meet  his  engagements 
Avith  the  Executive  Board,  of  which  he  was  a  member. 

Their  moderators  in  this  decade  were,  A.  H.  Booth 
in  1891:  b  F.  Wilson,  1892  to  1894,  inclusive:  J.  P. 
Brown,  from  1895  to  1900,  inclusive.  Their  clerks 
Avere,  J.  T.  Dicken  from  1891  to  1898,  inclusive:  L.  W. 
McCool  in  1899  and  1900. 

The  Kosciusko  Association  was  of  a  remarkable 
growth.  At  its  origin  the  churches  were  without 
training  in  Ijcnevolence,  and  limited  in  their  views. 
Their  ministers,  while  missionary  in  sentiment,  were 
conservative  in  life,  and  not  cai)acitated  to  bring  their 
churches  speedily  to  Christian  acti vity, but  grew  year  by 
year,  and  did  not  throw  themselves  across  the  path  of 
those  who  wished  to  glorify  their  Lord  with^their  con- 
secrated zeal.  On  the  whole, the  Kosciusko  Association 
is  a  hne  historical  study.  The  members  of  the  body 
have  made  a  worthy  and  enduring  record. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS  893 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

TISHOMINGO    ASSOCIATION. 

The  Tishomingo  Association  is  a  twin  sister  to  the 
Tippah.  At  the  session  of  the  Chickasaw  of  1.S60,  two 
calls  Avere  made  by  churches  for  letters  of  dismission  to 
form  new  associations.  The  old  mother  Association  ot 
North  Mississippi  was  then  composed  of  forty-nine 
churches, and  was  well  able  to  stand  the  heavy  demand 
made  upon  her.  The  lirst  call  made  for  letters  of  dis- 
mission was  on  Saturday  afternoon,  Se])t.  15,  186(>.. 
The  clerk  of  the  body  read  a  letter  from  the  union  meet- 
ing of  the  third  district  of  the  Chickasaw  asking  for  let- 
ters of  dismission  for  the  following  churches:  Burns- 
ville,  Rienza,  Friendship,  Mt.  Olive,  Osborn's  Creek, An- 
tioch,  Hinckle's  Creek,  Kossuth,  Harmony,  Meadow's 
Creek,  Tuscumbia,  Corinth,  Brush  Creek,  Farmington, 
Concord,  and  Liberty  Hill.  The  wish  of  these  churches 
was  unanimously  respected.  These  churches  went  into 
the  Convention  to  constitute  the  Tishomingo.  Mon- 
day morning  Hon.  J.  K.  vS])ight  of  Ripley  made  a  like 
request  of  the  body  in  behalf  of  ten  churches,  whicli 
went  into  the  constitution  of  the  Tippah  Association,. 
So  it  appears  that  the  Tishomingo  has  the  birth- 
right, unless  it  has  since  forfeited  it  to  the  Tippah. 

The  Tishomingo  was  composed  of  churches  in  the 
extreme  northeastern  part  ofMississippi.  The  churches 
were  in  the  comities  now  known  as  Alcorn,  Prentiss  and 


894  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPI'I     15APTISTS. 

Tishominga.  That  part  of  our  State  is,  in  soil,  re{>re- 
sentative  ot  a  large  part  of  the  area  of  our  common- 
^vealth.  On  the  west,  is  the  northern  extremit^v  of  the 
northeastern  prairie  region;  through  the  centre,  is  the 
A-ellow  loain  lands:  further  east,  the  sandy  lands;  and 
in  the  northeast,  the  blue  limestone  lands.  In  a  dis- 
tance of  thirty  miles,  as  the  crow  flies,  one  can  find  all 
princi]3al  soils  in  the  State,  except  in  the  long  leaf  pine 
region,  and  the  river  formations. 

The  Convention  designing  to  form  the  new  Associa- 
tion met  at  Burnsville,  Nov.  9,  1860,  in  the  town  hall. 
A.  H.  Booth  was  called  to  the  chair.     He  stated  the  ob- 
ject of  the  meeting  and  explained  the  design  of  an  Asso- 
ciation.   J.  M.  Martin  wascapjjointed  reading  secretary. 

Nineteen  churches  were  represented  b\'  letters  and 
delegates.  Besides  the  sixteen  churches  already  named 
thi'ee  others  went  into  the  constitution  of  the  body, 
vh..  Big  Brown  Creek,  of  Hickory  Springs,  Pleas- 
ant Grove  of  Marietta,  and  Hepsibah  of  Burnsville.  Af- 
ter the  api^ointment  of  a  committee  on  constitution 
and  a  committee  on  preaching,  some  moments  were 
given  to  music  and  praise.  The  Committee  on  Preach- 
ing having  reported,  the  Committee  on  Constitution 
put  betore  the  body  a  covenant  in  lieu  of  a  constitution 
\\diich  received  its  first  reading.  It  was  read  as  a 
Avhole  and  then  by  sections,  and  after  receiving  some 
amendments,  was  unanimously  ado])ted.  This  con- 
stituted the  morning's  w^ork  ol  the  Convention.  In  the 
afternoon,  A.  H.  Booth  was  elected  moderator  of  the 
Association  formed  on  the  covenant  agreed  upon.  J.  M. 
JMartin  was  chosen  to  act  as  clerk.  There  is  no  record 
.  of  the  naming  of  the  new  born,  nor  is  there  any  reason 
stated  why  it  received  its  Indian  name;  but  it  is  ])re- 
Siimable  that  it  was   given  the  name  of  the  countv  in 


/nSTOHV     OF     MISSISSirPI     HAPTISTS.  S95 

wliich  it  was  formed,  as  Alcorn  aivl  Prentiss  are  ()r<i>ni-. 
izations  formed  since  1S70. 

After  the  appointment  of  the  necessary  committees, 
a  number  of  resohitions  were  adopted,  one  upon  the 
duty  of  maintainin«i:  Sunday  Schools  in  the  churches, 
iind  another  as  to  the  workin<i^s  of  the  Executive 
Board.  It  was  recommended  that  a  missionai"y  1k'  put 
into  the  field  for  all  his  time, and  that  the  Board  inaugu- 
rate some  system  of  colporta.tje.  To  reclaim  the  des- 
titute territory,  and  to  ])ut  «j:ood  hooks  in  the  homes, 
were  matters  of  hrst  consideration.  Pursuant  to  these 
resolutions,  ]jledt>es  were  taken  for  the  support  of  a 
missionary,  amounting  to  $158.50.  The  Executive 
Board  consisted  of  A.W.  Patty,  E.  T.  Meeks,  J.  H.  Bar- 
nett,  E.J.  Callahan,  and  John  F.  Belshed. 

.The  Association  adjourned  to  meet  with  the  Rienzi 
church  on  Friday  l)erore  the  second  Sundav  in  Septem- 
l)er.  l<sr)l.  Tlie  ])rominent  pastors  of  the  body  were, 
M.  P.  Lowrcy,  L.  Ball.H.  G.  Savage,  O.  D.  Fittz-x-rald, 
G.  W.  Selvidoe,  S.  D.Kendall,  and  J.  Skinner.  The 
churches  ^oinii:  into  the  constitution  had  a  total  mem- 
bershijj  of  1,269.  The  minutes  were  printed  at  Jacinto 
by  the  Tishomingo  Patriot. 

Before  the  next  a])pointment  of  the  body,  the  Civil 
War  was  a  frowning  fact.  The  Ordinance  of  Secession 
was  siijned  June  16.  1S()1.  So  early  as  that  in  the year 
1861,  there  were  sixty-live  companies  of  volunteers  in 
the  State.  The  martial  sjMrit  was  rife.  Some  rej^i- 
ments  were  formed,  and  sent  to  some  place  to  drill,  and 
become  somewhat  inured  to  the  hardships  of  the  tented 
field  and  the  forced  march  The  Second  Mississippi 
regiment  ^vas  domiciled  at  Corinth  to  learn  the  tactics 
and  manual  of  arms.  I-'rom  thiit  time  to  the  sad 
si)rinu-   of  1S()5,  the   territory   of  the   Tishomingo   re- 


896  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

sounded  to  the  clatter  of  iron  hoofs,  the  clash  of  con- 
tending forces,  and  the  sullen  war  ofstubborn  artillery. 
The  deep  bass  of  the  cannon's  throat  might  have  been 
heard  anywhere  within  the  bounds  of  the  Ass<K'iation, 
as  the  decisive  battles  were  being  fought. 

In  the  fall  of  1866,  M.  F.  Lowrey,  having  laid  aside 
his  Confederate  uniform,  enlisted  for  the  holy  war, 
\\'ith  men,man3^  of  whom  he  had  seen  tested  on  the  san- 
guinary field.  He  was  taken  from  the  saddle  and  i)ut 
into  the  chair;  he  was  elected  moderator  of  the  Tisho- 
mingo Association.  During  the  associational  year  of 
1865-6,  J.  C.  Olliver  was  their  missionary.  He  was 
commissioned  on  Nov.  25,  1865,  for  twelve  months' 
service.  It  is  said  that  he  "preached  114  sermons,  de- 
livered forty-five  exhortations,  witnessed  eighty-two 
conversions,  baptized  twenty-nine  ]3ersons,  and  or- 
ganized three  churches."  He  reported  great  destitution 
in  the  bounds  of  the  body,  and  thought  some  system  of 
colportage  ought  to  be  adopted. 

The  sixth  anniversary  was  held  with  the  Mt.  Olive 
church,  beginning  Sept.  7,  1866.  H.  G.  Savage  was 
elected  moderator,and  J.  M.  Martin,  clerk,  Three  new- 
ly organized  churches  were  received  into  the  union, 
Macedonia,  Burnesville  and  Monterey.  All  the  churches 
were  represented  except  the  Indian  Creek  church.  It 
was  not  represented  the  ^^ear  previous,  and  was  in  a 
state  of  disorder.  It  was  calling  for  help  and  advise, 
neither  of  which  was  the  Association  willing  to  with- 
hold. A  committee  of  some  of  their  best  men,  with 
J.  T.  Freeman  at  the  head  ot  it,  was  sent  to  confer  with 
the  church.  The  Tishomingo  at  that  time  had  corre- 
spondence with  the  Tippah,  the  Chickasaw,  thejudson, 
the  Big  Bear  Creek,  and  the  Mississippi  Baptist  State 
Convention. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     HAPTISTS.  S9T 

Tlic  Committee  on  Doeuments  made  its  ivptjrt 
through  the  ehairnian,  H.  S.  Archer.  The  recom- 
mendations were,  The  Wntchmnn,  at  Jackson,  Miss., 
with  Thos.  Whitfield  as  editor:  the  Christian  Herald^ 
of  Mcnilton,  Ala.,  under  the  management  of  J.  Shackle- 
ford,  and  the  Christan  Index,  of  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Gen.  M. 
P.  Lowrev  was  a  contributor  to  the  Christian  Index. 
He  made  a  speech  in  support  of  the  Index,  urging  the 
importance  of  sustaining  it. 

The.re])ortsof  two  more  committees  deserve  special' 
notice.'  In  the  report  ol  the  Committee  on  Associa- 
tional  Missions,  it  was  reconunended  that,  as  Mission- 
ary Baptists,  the  body  should  engage  itself  in  the  work 
of  Home  missions  with  renewed  zeal  and  energy.  The 
report  was  read  by  H!G.  Savage,  who  was  a  fine  specimen 
of  physical  manhood  and  Christian  character.  After  the 
reading  of  the  report,  a  subscription  was  taken  for  this 
cause,  amounting  to  $440.00.  The  other  report  was 
on  "  Religious  Instruction  of  the  Colored  People."  It 
refreshed  the  minds  of  the  delegates  with  the  fact  that 
Southern  ])eople  were  not  responsible  for  the  presence 
of  the  negro  in  our  midst,  that  our  responsibility  for 
their  spiritual  welfare  was  not  cancelled  when  they 
were  set  free,  but  if  they  wish,  in  their  spiritual  ignor- 
ance, to  organize  themselves  into  churches  apart  from 
the  whites,  thev  should  be  left  to  their  discretion,  with 
the  dissent  of  the  whites  as  to  such  a  severance. 

The  session  of  18(i7  was  held  with  the  church  at, 
Kossuth.  J.  T.  Freeman  was  chosen  moderator.  The- 
iirst  item  of  business,  after  the  ])roper  organization  and 
the  reception  of  corresjjondence,  was  the  reading  of  the 
report  on  Education.  The  report  expressed  gratifica- 
tion that  many  of  the  institutions  of  learning,  that 
were  compelled  to  close   their  doors   during   the  war.. 


898  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Avere  tlien  in  a  flourishing  condition.  The  schools  men- 
tioned were  Mary  Sharp  College,  Brownsville  Female 
College,  the  Emma  Mercer  Institute  at  Grenada,  Miss., 
the  Meridian  Female  College,  the  West  Tennessee  Col- 
lege cit  Jackson,  Tenn.,  and  Georgetown  College.  This 
list  is  given  to  show  how  the  friends  of  learning  were 
after  the  Civil  War,  casting  about  them  for  their  educa- 
tional bearings.  It  was  a  question  with  the  consider- 
ate parents  of  means,  as  to  where  they  could  best  avail 
themselves  of  the  privilege  of  a  higher  education  for 
their  sons  and  daughters. 

This  session  of  the  Tishomingo  reached  the  high 
Avater  mai-k  Sunday  afternoon.  A  "mass  meeting"'  had 
been  appointed  for  3  o'clock  that  afternoon.  L.  R.  Bur- 
ress  was  called  to  the  chair.  The  meeting  was  ad- 
dressed l)y  Robert  Weir,  J.  T.  Freeman  and  J.  G. 
Burgess.  Ministeriid  Education  was  favored  that 
hour  and  received  a  subscription  of  $216.00,  with  the 
expressed  understanding  that  the  mone3'  was  to  be 
used  in  the  education  of  G.  M.  Savage  and  William 
Thomjjson.  It  is  scarceh'  necessary  to  state  who  these 
two  ministerial  students  were.  G.  M.  Savage  is  to-day 
president  of  the  Southwestern  Baptist  University  at 
Jackson,  Tenn. 

This  purpose  of  the  body  deserves  a  connected  con- 
sideration. The  following  \^ear  the  interest  in  Minis- 
terial Education  had  not  in  the  least  abated.  They 
had  someljody  to  educate.  After  a  report  on  the  sub- 
ject was  read,  several  speeches  were  made,  insisting 
that  it  was  the  duty  of  the  body  to  aid  in  the  education 
of  G.  M.  Savage,  Wm.  Thompson,  and  E.  Z.  Simmons, 
and  a  subscription  was  taken  of  $109.50,  to  be  ptiidat 
the  end  of  the  year.  In  1869,  it  was  rehearsed,  that 
there  were  two  young  men  striving  to  get  an  educa- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


S99 


tion,  of  such  al)ility  and  in-omiso  that  inactivity  Avas 
inexcusable.  G.  M.  Savjisj^e  was  at  Old  Union  Univer- 
sity, MnrtVeesboro,  Tenn.,  from  which  he  was  finally 
i>radiiated.  E.  Z".  Simmons  had  1:>een  at  school,  but 
was  then  in  poor  health.  The  education  of  two  such 
men  was  of  sufficient  consideration  ^o  bestir  any  l)ody 
to  its  best  endeavors. 

The  year  1868,  showed  a  broadening  of  the  concep- 
tions of  the  Association.  M.  P.  Lowrey  was  received 
as  a  corresponding"  messenger  from  the  Baptist  State 
Convention.  He  read  before  the  .Association  a  letter 
from  the  corresponding  secretary  of  the  convention. 
He  once  remarked  that  Mississippi  Baptists  needed 
infornuitioih  and  he  was  surely  an  adept  in  imparting 
it.  The  value  of  that  speech  cannot  be  estimated.  The 
broadening  of  mental  conceptions  is,  in  effect  the  ex- 
panding of  the  soul.  Just  here  lies  the  hidden  benefits 
accruing  from  the  fi)stering  care  of  Foreign  missions. 
L.  K.  Burress  emphasized  the  speech,  but  spoke  more 
especially  of  the()ri)hans"  Home  at  Lauderdale  Springs. 
This  added  to  the  broadening  of  the  conception,  a  gen- 
erous sentiment. 

Two  more  privileges  were  granted  General  Lowrey 
l)y  the  body.  He  was  i)ermitted  to  explain  the  con- 
dition of  Mississippi  College.  He  gave  a  cheerful  view 
ot  the  affairs  of  that  institution  of  learning.  It  was 
heavily  mortgaged.  Hut  lie  told  his  brethren  that  our 
college  was  not  destined  to  pass  out  of  the  hands  of 
Mississijjpi  Baptists,  but  would  be  reclaimed  from  its 
pecuniary  embarrassment.  This  was  just  such  under- 
girding  as  all  our  jjcoplc  needed  at  that  time.  The  old 
warrior,  who  had  faced  the  cannon's  mouth,  knew 
how  to  cheer  his  forces  in  the  hour  of  danger.  The 
other   ])rivilege   was   of  taking   a  public   collection   at 


900  HISfORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

11  a.  in.  Sunday  for  State  evangelization.  The  worth 
of  snch  a  man  in  an  association  is  bej^ond  the  rapidly 
increasing  process  of  geometrical  progression. 

The  ninth  annual  session  of  the  Ijod^^  was  held  with 
the  church  at  Corinth.  P'ive  churches  were  received 
into  the  union— Peb1)le  Hill,  Oak  Grove,  Tabernacle, 
New  Hope  and  luka. 

At  that  time  Mississippi  Baptists  were  wdthout  a 
newspaper  interest.  The  Christian  Watchman  had 
passed  away.  J.  Shackleford  was  endeavoring  to  en- 
gage the  Tishomingo  in  his  paper,  the  Christian  Herald^ 
jjublished  at  Tuscumbia,  Ala.  He  was  permitted  to 
present  the  claims  of  his  paper  Saturday  afternoon. 
Shackleford  was  a  man  of  unusual  physical  build,  sen- 
sible and  a  good  writer.  His  ability  w^as  recognized  by 
the  Southern  Baptist  Convention  in  its  meetings. 

The  report  made  on  Foreign  missions  was  an  ear- 
nest presentation  ot  the  great  commission.  The  re])()rt 
was  written  by  L.  R.  Burress.  He  said,  God  had  not 
given  us  a  command  that  he  had  not  given  us  the 
power  to  olDey.  That  is  the  granite  basis  of  missions. 
The  committeeman  impressed  his  report  with  a  strong 
speech  and  was  awarded  the  i)rivilege  of  taking  a  col- 
lection for  Foreign  missions. 

The  ])rogram  for  a  ministers'  and  deacons"  meeting, 
to  be  held  during  the  ensuing  year,  was  printed  in  the 
Minutes  of  1869.  In  that  program  w^as  a  subject  given 
to  G.  M.  Savage  in  the  form  of  a  query,  that  merits  a 
more  modern  date.  It  reads:  "Should  the  Baptists  of 
North  Mississippi  and  West  Tennessee  locate  an  insti- 
tution of  learning  of  their  own  at  some  convenient  and 
vsuital)le  place?'"  It  is  current  that  Hume,  the  English 
historian,  contracted  his  views  of  infidelity  by  engaging, 
in  a  debiite,   when  a  vouth,  on  the  relative   merits   ot 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  901 

Christianity,  having  been  assigned  to  the  negative  side 
of  the  question.  The  vSouth  western  University  at  Jack- 
son, Tenn.,  was  scarcely  a  well-defined  conception  when 
the  3'oung  Savage  was  assigned  this  (|uestion  for  dis- 
cussion. 

The  tenth  annual  session  of  the  union  hadinattend- 
iince  quite  a  number  of  representative  men.  The  meet- 
ing was  at  Baldwvn.  J.  T.  Freeman,  of  fine  bearing 
and  beautiful  address,  was  elected  moderator.  AI,  P. 
Lowrey,  to  his  inches  a  commander,  represented  the 
Tippah  Association.  A.L.Stovcdl,  cool-headed,  logical 
and  pious,  represented  the  Judson.  James  Nelson  with 
a  smoothly  shaven  oval  face  that  was  hallowed  by 
])rayer,  J.  B.  Gambrell,  young,  sensililc  and  brave. 
Along  with  this  fine  display  of  choice  talent  was  one 
v^'hose  name  seemed  to  baffle  the  clerk  of  the  body. 
Twice  he  seemed  hesitatingly  to  record   the  name  with 

a  faltering  pen,  as   " Level.'"     He  surely  mccint  no 

harm  when  he  used  the  horizontal  line,  or  by  the  sjK-ed 
Avith  wdiich  he  spelled  the  name. 

The  day  had  dawned  on  the  (juestion  of  a  denomi- 
national paper  for  the  Baptists  of  our  State.  The  re- 
port on  publications  was,  as  usual,  profuse  as  to  Baptist 
periodicals.  But  the  last  ])aper  commended  was  The 
Baptist  of  Memphis.  In  it  was  a  Mississippi  depart- 
ment presided  over  by  M.  P.  Lowrey.  This  department 
was  allowed  only  one  page,  but  that  one  page  gave  a 
feeling  of  ownership,  and  The  Baptist  was  exultingly 
called  "  Our  Paper,"  and  all  the  body  was  called  on  to 
rally  to  its  support. 

The  Judson  Association  had  an  educational  scheme. 
It  ma}'  be  denominated  the  "Tupelo  idea;"  for  the 
word  "idea"'  is  scarcely  material  or  immaterial,  and  is 
almost   incomprehensible.      The  idea  was  to  build   a 


902  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Baptist  Female  Institute  at  Tupelo  by  the  co-operation 
of  a  number  of  associations  on  the  basis  of  $9,000  to 
be  obtained  by  a  four  (4)  years'  loan  without  interest. 
The  Judson,  the  Chickasaw,  and  the  Aberdeen  favored 
it.  T.  P.  Montgomery  and  A.  L.  Stovall  were  at  the 
Tishomingo  in  this  interest  and  succeeded  in  their  mis- 
sion, in  so  far  as  getting  the  body  to  agree  to  co-oper- 
ate. The  entei-prise  was  as  the  flight  of  birds  in  the 
night. 

In  1871,  the  Association  convened  at  Hinkle"s 
Creek,  five  miles  west  of  Rienzi.  In  1861,  the  \yriter 
was  in  that  part  of  the  country  as  a  lad  of  seventeen, 
enjisted  as  a  soldier  in  the  Confederate  army.  He  was 
not  gathering  any  historical  data,  nor  was  he  making 
any  history  that  will  ever  find  its  way  into  books.  He 
was  quite  fond  of  some  of  the  young  people  north  of 
Hinkle's  Creek,  whose  cheeks,  without  anj^  artificial 
aid,  rivaled  the  delicate  tints  of  the  peach  bloom. 

Hinkle's  Creek  was  the  "home  church"  of  H.  G. 
Savage.  AVith  the  exception  of  1879  and  1883,  he  was 
pastor  of  that  church  from  1854tol884,  or  for  twenty- 
eight  years.  The  Hinkle's  Creek  church  was  received 
into  the  Chickasaw  Association  in  1854.  It  must  have 
iDcen  a  new  church.  It  had  then  only  twenty -nine  mem- 
l)ers,  and  had,  in  1870,  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven, 
having  received  twenty  by  baptism  that  year.  In  1853, 
H.  G.  Savage  was  a  licentiate,  with  Yellow  Creek  as 
his  postoftice.  In  the  associational  year  of  1884-85, 
he  moved  to  Henderson,  Tenn. 

At  the  session  of  1873,  a  proposition  was  made  to 
the  pastors  of  the  Ijody  to  select  and  supply  some  mis- 
sionary stations  as  their  pastoral  work  would  admit. 
The  question  of  men  and  means  to  carry  on  associa- 
tional missions  was  a  perplexing  one  in  all  the  associa. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSiri'I      HAI'TISTS.  908 

tions  in  the  State.  We  find  that  O.  L.  Fitzgerald  or- 
ganized a  chureh  at  (Hemhdc.  J.T.  Freeman  witnessed 
ten  eonversions  ;  Joshua  Smith  sold  $4-5. 00  worth  of 
Bibles,  and  others  did  a  like  work.  It  was  said  at  the 
time  by  Col.  John  D.  Bills  that  it  would  require  two 
missionaries  laboring-  in  the  field  all  the  while,  to  sup- 
])ly  all  the  destitution  in  the  l^ounds  ot'the  Assoeiation. 

The  fourteenth  annual  session  was  held  at  Rienzi, 
J.  T.  h^'eeman  being  moderator.  The  session  began  on 
Thursday  at  3  p.  m.  I'rof  AI.  T.  Martin  and  T.J, 
Walne  were  in  attendanee,  and  E.  B.  AleXeil  was  a 
member  of  the  body.  E.  B.  AleXeil  was  reared  in  Fon- 
totoe  eounty,  near  Oak  Hill.  He  began  preaching  just 
1)efore  the  Civil  War,  and  was  sent  to  Union  University 
to  study  "divinity."  He  was  a  versatile  man  and  a 
tine  eharjicter. 

In  the  report  on  Schools  and  Colleges,  Alississippi 
College,  was,  ot"  course,  commended  —  it  was  com- 
mended as  "  our  college."'  Speeches  were  made  to  the 
re])ort  by  J.  \V.  Sandford,  J.  T.  Freeman  and  AI.  T. 
Alartin,  and  a  subscription  was  made  to  the  endow- 
ment fund,  amounting  to  $200.00.  A  subsc'pion  of 
$122.50  was  taken  for  Alinisterial  P>lucation  in  the 
interest  of  T.  J.  Harris,  ])rovi(led  he  went  to  Alississippi 
College.  A  like  su1)scri])tion  was  made  of  $80.00  in 
favor  of  J.  F  Henderson,  who  was  receiving  instruction 
at  Jacinto. 

After  a  thorough  discussion  of  the  report  on  Home 
missions,  the  following  resolutions  were  arloj^ted  : 

Resolved,  That  the  action  ol'  the  State  Con\'ention 
meets  with  the  hearty  apjjroval  of  this  Association 
and  that  we  will  assist  the  Board  with  oiu"  svmjjathv, 
our  ])rayers  and  oiu'  contributions. 

Resolved,     fhat  the   Corresponding   Secretary  and 


^04-  HISTORY     OK     MISSISSIPPI     HAPTISTS. 

iigents  of  the  Board  arc  cordially  invited  to  visit  our 
Association  and  our  churches  for  the  purpose  of  inter- 
esting our  people  in  the  great  work  of  Domestic  mis- 
sions, and  to  raise  funds  for  supplying  the  destitute 
portions  of  ourState  with  the  gospel  of  salvation. 

Resolved,  That  we  earnestly  urge  the  churches  of 
this  Association  to  make  regular  and  liberal  contril)u- 
-tions  to  our  Board. 

Resolved,  That  the  E^xecutive  Board  of  this  Asst)- 
ciation  be  heartily  advised  to  co-operate  with  the  State 
Board  in  prosecuting  mission  work  in  our  b«.  unds. 

At  the  session  of  1875,  L.  R.  Burress  was  elected 
moderator.  A  collection  was  taken  for  Ministerial 
Education  to  be  expended  in  Mississippi  College,  but 
nothing  was  recorded  as  to  any  ministerial  student  in 
that  institution  from  the  Tishomingo.  The  Baptist 
"vvas  commended  for  its  Mississippi  department.  Along 
with  The  Bnptist,  Christian  Repository  and  Kind 
Words  were  usually  endorsed.  In  1877,  it  was  the 
pleasure  of  the  Committee  on  Publications  to  recom- 
mend the  Mississippi  Baptist  Record.  It  was  not 
thought  to  be  an  experiment,  but  an  established  organ 
-of  Alississippi  Baptists,  and  its  appearance  was  hailed 
^vith  joy.  The  following  year  no  other  periodical  was 
commended  with  The  Record,  as  it  was  deemed  un- 
necessary to  mention  others.  The  circulation  of  the 
paper  was  rapidlj'  increasing,  and  it  had  a  great  mis- 
sion to  accomplish.  From  1880  to  1885,  The  Baptist, 
The  F.  M.  Journal,  and  Kind  Woids  were,  as  a  rule, 
•commended  with  The  Record.  In  1885,  nine  publica- 
tions were  recommended.  J.  B.  Gambrell,  editor  of  the 
Record,  had  been  known  in  that  part  of  the  State  from 
Jiis  boyhood,  and  was  held  in  universal  esteem. 

Temperance  :— In  the  period    between   1876  and 


HISTORY     OK     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  905 

1890,  the  first  report  on  temperanee  is  found  in  the 
records  of  1881.  The  report  that  year  did  not  have 
anything  in  it  on  prohibition.  But  the  following  year 
these  two  resolutions  were  adopted  by  the  body: 

Resolved,  That  the  Tisht)min<j^o  B^iptist  Associa- 
tion recommend  to  all  the  churches  within  our  bounds 
the  position,  prohibition  of  intoxicating"  licpiors  as  a 
beverage,  within  our  churches. 

Resolved,  That  we  declare  ourselves  in  full  sympa- 
thy with  the  great  temperance  and  prohibition  move- 
ment of  the  day,  and  earnestly  ask  all  our  churches  and 
members  to  labor  for  the  advancement  and  promulga- 
tion of  the  temperance  cause.  In  1884,  the  report  was 
lengthy  and  full.  It  asserted  that  the  most  effectual 
legfd  reined}'  for  intoxication  was  constitutional  pro- 
hibition, and  that  the  legalized  li(|uor  traffic  was  a  dis- 
grace to  civilization.  Through(^ut  this  jjeriod  the  de- 
liverances of  the  Tishomingo  against  the  matchless  evil 
were  pronounced  and  emphatic. 

Sunday  schools:  —  The  Committee  on  Sunday 
schools  in  1S7()  suljmitted  a  report,  "strongly  urging 
our  ])nstors  and  churches  to  take  more  interest  in  our 
Sunday  school  work."  The  re])ort  was  discussed  by 
Walne,  Burress,  and  otliers.  Tlie  following  ^'■ear  E.  B. 
McNeil  offered  a  resolution,  recommending  that  the 
families  organize  themselves  into  Bible  classes  to  study 
(rods  word.  His  position  was  very  near  the  ground 
held  I)y  those  who  ,'idvocate  tiie  Home  Dejicirtment 
work  of  to-day.  S.  W.  Sibley,  in  1880,  reminded  the 
body  that  the  second  article  of  their  covenant  asked  of 
the  church  that  they  report  full  S.  S.  statistics.  In 
1882,  the  colporteur  of  the  Association  furnished  Sun- 
day-school supplies  at  reasonable  rates  to  the  Sunday 
schools.     After  all  that  was  said  and  done  and  written 


906  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

on  the  subject,  in  1883,  only  twelve  ehurehes  of  the 
twenty-seven  composing"  the  Association  reported  Sun- 
day schools.  In  1887,  thirteen  cluirches  reported  Sun- 
day schools  with  a  total  attendance  of  34-3.  In  1890, 
a  proi^rani  for  a  Sunda^'-school  Institute  was  adopted, 
which  marked  the  beginning  for  active  work  in  the 
Sunday-school  cause  by  the  Tishomingo  Association. 
In  no  way  can  the  interest  in  this  depaitment  of  Chris- 
tian work  be  better  conserved  than  by  annual  gather- 
ing in  Sunday-school  conventions. 

Edi'CATIon:^ — The  Tishomingo  Association  is  an 
open  field  for  the  promoters  of  education.  Being  in 
the  extreme  northeastern  part  of  the  State,  remotely 
distant  from  Mississippi  College  and  so  near  Jackson, 
Tenn.,  its  educational  affiliations  are  doubtful  and 
confused.  Burress,  AlcXeil,  and  G.  M.  Savage  received 
their  higher  education  at  finion  University,  Murfrees- 
boro,  Tenn.  Savage  and  McNeil  went  over  the  line 
into  Tennessee.  Burress  is  still  at  his  post,  and  faith- 
ful to  all  our  Baptist  State  enterprises.  But,  taken  as 
a  rule,  it  is  best  for  3'oung  Mississippians  to  receive 
their  education  in  Alississipjji,  and  the  youth  of  Ten- 
nessee to  get  their  education  at  home,  if  they  expect  to 
spend  their  lives  in  their  native  State.  The  associa- 
tions that  the  school-boy  enjoys  are  valual:)le  to  him 
in  after  years. 

In  1876,  Mississippi  College,  Blue  Mountain  Female 
College  and  the  Masonic  Male  and  Female  School  at 
Henderson,  Tennessee,  were  all  recommended  to  the 
churches.  The  next  3'ear  the  Southwestern  Baptist 
University  was  recommended,  and  the  year  after  that, 
the  Universitv  of  Mississipjji.  In  1881,  S.  \V.  Sibley,  a 
former  student  of  Mississippi  College,  presented  the 
report  on  education.     He   had  a  singleness  of  purpose, 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     I5APTISTS.  907 

and  kept  his  ])en  on  his  theme.  He  said:  "As  Athens 
was  once  the  intelleetnal  eye  of  Greece,  so  let  Missis- 
sippi College  become  the  eye  ot  Mississip])i  Ba])tists." 
The  followini^'  year  two  hiyh  schools  were  connnended 
with  the  iisual  institntions  referred  to  in  the  rei)orts, 
viz:  Oak  Lawn  school,  of  which  L.  R.  Burress  was 
l)rinci]jal,  and  W.  I.  Gibson's  school  at  Rienzi.  After- 
wards the  Southern  Bai)tist  Theoloijfical  Seminary  w^is 
added  to  this  list.  These  commendations  varied  little 
to  the  close  of  this  ]}eriod.  The  male  patrona.<i"e  of  the 
body  has  really  l)een  divided  between  the  institutions 
of  Mississippi  and  Tennessee.  The  younu,"  ministers, 
almost  without  excei)tion,  attended  Mississi}j])i  College. 

P^oKEiGN  missions:  —  The  rei)orts  put  before  the 
Tishomin,»4'o  on  b^oreis^n  missions  were  rather  more  in- 
teresting- than  rc^jorts  on  that  benevolence  ])resented  to 
like  organizations  in  the  State.  In  1S81,  J.  S.  Berry  in 
his  rei)ort  urued  that  li.  Z.  Sinnnons  and  his  wife  l)e 
remembered  in  their  pra3'ers,  as  Simmons  had  gone  to 
a  foreign  held  from  that  association.  The  next  vear, 
\V.  S.  Skinner  offered  the  lollowing  resolution: 

''Resolved,  That  each  church  in  this  Association 
ap]3oint  jin  agent  to  solicit  contri])uti()ns  from  each  of 
her  meml^ers  I'or  the  building  of  a  cha])el  for  Brother 
Sinnnons  in  Canton,  China.  $2S0.(){)  was  at  once  sul)- 
scribed  tor  the  chapel,  and  $^>o7.()()  for  Foreign  mis- 
sions. In  1SS-4-,  nine  (0)  churches  reported  collections 
for  Foreign  missions,  amounting  to  $75. 40.  After  the 
reading  and  tliseussion  of  the  report  of  18S9,  the  bodv 
joined  in  si)ecial  ])rayer  for  H.  Z.  Sinnnons  and  Mrs. 
Janie  Sanford. 

St.vtk  missions: — Home  missions  and  State  mis- 
sions are  closely  allied.  In  the  |)erio(l  we  are  consid- 
ering    three    re])orts    were    made    on    State    missions 


90S  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

proper,  in  ISSl,  1882  and  1883.  In  1875,  E.  B.  Mc- 
Neil read  before  the  Tishomingo  a  report  on  State  mis- 
sions, stating  that  the  Board  had  been  in  active  oper- 
ation only  two  years,  but  that  its  missionaries  had 
baptized  324  persons,  received  by  letter  270,  and  had 
organized  7  chui'ches.  In  1878,  a  number  of  touching" 
speeches  were  made  on  State  missions,  and  contribu- 
tions made  to  the  missionaries  in  the  yellow  fever  dis- 
tricts, amounting  to  $35.30.  Year  by  year  reports 
were  sul^mitted  to  the  body  on  State  missions  and  co- 
operation with  the  Board  was  close  and  cordial.  The 
Treasurer's  report  to  the  body  in  1882  showed  that  he 
had  received  for  State  missions  that  year  $24-5.80, 
which  was  highly  gratifying.  In  1885,  the  Treasurer's 
report  showed  $4-06.20  collected  for  State  and  Associa-- 
tional  missions.  In  1887,  $328.25  for  missions,  and 
in  1890,  $237.90  to  State  and  Associational  missions. 

Exp:cutiye  board:  —  In  1876,  three  missionaries 
had  l>een  in  the  field  at  w^ork  in  the  bounds  of  the  body 
— Joseph  Roberson,  W.  L.  Landress,  and  D.  W.  Leath. 
No  debt  had  been  incurred.  According  to  the  "old- 
time  custom'"  pledges  were  made  to  this  work,  amount- 
ing to  v$326.75,  of  which  only  $68.65  was  paid  before 
the  next  session  of  the  body.  It  appears  in  the  history 
of  all  the  associations  that  it  was  more  difficult  to 
make  clean  collections  of  subscriptions  to  associational 
work  than  for  the  other  benevolences,  and  that  the 
Executive  Boards  had  all  been  embarrassed  from  the 
lack  of  sufficient  funds  to  do  suitable  work.  It  is  pos- 
sible that  a  reason  for  this  lies  in  the  fact  that  the  best 
preachers  in  the  Association  cannot  be  commanded  for 
missionary  work. 

The  Treasurer's  report  of  1880  shows  that  $192.50 
had  been  expended  that  3'ear  on  associational  missions 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  909 

—in  1882,  $240.40;  in  1885,  for  vState  Associational 
missions,  $496.20.  The  Executive  Commiteee  was 
favored  in  the  associational  work  and  went  far  l)eyond 
the  average  associations  of  the  State  in  the  volume  of 
its  w^ork.  One  of  its  great  advantages  consisted  in  the 
fact  that  the  ministers  in  the  body  were  not  only  men 
of  high  intelligence  and  deep  i)iety,  but  held  long  resi- 
dence in  the  bounds  of  the  Association.  Whatever  may 
be  said  of  long  pastorates,  the  student  of  the  history  of 
associations  becomes  conhrmed  in  his  belief  that  long- 
pastorates  are  promotive  of  associational  prosperit3'. 
Such  men  as  Norvell  Robertson  and  X.  L.  Clark  have 
been  the  glor\'  of  their  associations. 

The  moderators  of  the  Association  from  1876  to 
1890  were  as  follows:  H.  G.  Savage  in  1876;  H.  S. 
Archer  in  1877;  J.  W.  Burress  in  1878  and  1879;  J.  D. 
Bills  from  1881  to  1887,  inclusive;  J.  S.  Berry  from 
1888  to  1890,  inclusive,  and  W.  A.  Richardson  from 
1885  to  1890,  inclusive. 

The  session  of  1891  convened  with  the  Osborne 
church.  John  D.  Bills  \vas  chosen  moderator,  and 
W.  D.  Richardson,  clerk.  In  1892,  they  met  at  Burns- 
ville,  on  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  Railroad ;  in 
1893,  with  Piney  Grove  church,  and  in  1894  with  tiie 
Chewalla  church  in  Tennessee. 


910  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER   XXVI. 

TIPPAH    ASSOCIATION. 

The  Tippah  Association  is  in  the  counties  of  Tii3pah 
iind  Benton,  having  also  a  tew  churches  in  Ihiion  and 
Marshall  counties.  This  statement  makes  it  apparent 
that  the  Association  is  in  the  middle  of  the  extreme 
northern  p,art  of  our  State.  The  eastern  part  of  its 
territor\'  is  of  limestone  formation,  and  western  part 
of  the  3'ellow  loam  region,  while  the  two  are  divided  as 
far  north  as  Ripley  b}-  the  extreme  northern  part  of  the 
flat  woods  region.  The  country  is  undulating,  and  in 
some  parts  very  hilly  and  precipitous.  It  is  drained  l)y 
the  tril3utaries  of  the  Hatchie  River  on  the  east,  the 
headwaters  of  the  Wolf  River  on  the  north,  and  the 
headwaters  of  the  Tippah  River  and  the  Tallahatchie 
on  the  west  and  on  the  south. 

This  scope  of  country  is  inhabited  b^-  an  intelligent 
farming  people,  who  have  access  to  the  large  marts  of 
trade  and  centers  of  influence  over  the  G.  &  C.  R.  R. 
and  the  K.  C.  M.  &  B.  R.  R.  As  a  rule  they  are  careful 
as  to  educational  facilities.  Blue  Mountain  Female 
College  is  easily  accessible  from  all  parts  of  this  terri- 
tory, is  lil)craliy  patronized,  and  regarded  with  much 
pride.  This  institution  of  learning  has  made  it  easy  to 
And  happy  and  enjo3'-able  homes  in  Tippah  and  Benton 
<:ounties,  presided  over  by  women  of  grace  and  culture. 
On  Oct.  27,  1860,  a  convention  was  held  at  Ripley  by 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  ^>11 

representatives  of  eertaiii  Baptist  ehurehes  lor  the  ])ur- 
pose  of  eonstitutini;!:  an  association.  About  the  middle 
of  Se])tenil)er  ])revious,  ten  churches  had  received  letters 
of  dismission  from  the  Chickasaw  Association  to  form 
a  new  Association.  The  Chickasaw  at  that  time  com- 
prised forty-nine  churches,  and,  e.^tendini!:  over  a  large 
territory,  it  was  extremely  difhcult  tor  some  churches  to 
reach  the  meetins^s  of  the  l)ody  by  delegates.  The  ten 
churches  that  received  letters  of  dismission  were,  Beu- 
lah,  Canaan,  Pleasant  Hill,  Uni(m,  Ripley,  Unity, Hope- 
well, Macedonia,  Mt.  Comfort,  and  Zion  Hill.  All  of 
these  churches  were  represented  in  this  Convention,  ex- 
cept the  Unity  church.  \V.  H.  H.  Holcomlj,  who  Wcis 
moderator  at  the  constitution  of  the  Chickasaw  Asso- 
ciation twenty-two  years  before  this,  was  in  the  Con- 
vention as  a  re])resentative  from  one  of  the  churches. 
Ambrose  Kay  was  likewise  present  who  was  also  a 
moderator  of  the  Chickasaw  Association  for  one  ses- 
sion. Besides  these  two  well  known  preachers,  H.  C. 
Spencer,  \V.  D.  Lancaster,  D.  D.  Roach,  and  A.  Good- 
win aided  in  the  formation  of  this  Association. 

After  the  usual  ijroceedings  of  organizing  ^m  Asso- 
ciation had  received  attention,  the  Association  was 
named  the  Tip])ah  Bajitist  Association.  Benton  and 
Union  counties  had  not  then  been  formed,  and  the  Asso- 
ciation was  almost  exclusively  in  Tippah  countx',  which 
made  the  naming  of  the  body  an  eas}'  matter.  A- 
Goodwin  was  elected  moderator,  J.  E.  Rogers,  clerk, 
and  Simon  R.  Spight,  treasurer.  Simon  R.  Spight.who 
lived  in  Ripley,  had  served  the  old  Association  (the 
Chickasaw)  as  clerk  through  the  first  seven  years  of  its 
existence^  and  was  a  well  known  figure  in  the  Baptist 
gatherings  of  North  Mississippi.  The  representatives 
(il'the  churches  had    been   co-lal)orers  in  associational 


912  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

work  for  years  Ijefore  the  organization  ot"  this  new  As- 
sociation, l)ut  doubtless  felt  the  aljsence  of  the  active 
men  of  the  old  mother  Association. 

The  Association,  of  necessity,  transacted  very  little 
business.  But  a  report  on  Domestic  missions  was  re- 
ceived which  recommended  that  the  individual  churches 
occupy  the  destitute  places  in  reach  of  them.  It  Avas 
onU'  a  temporary  arrangement  until  the  Association 
could  get  ready  for  active  operations,  and  seems  to 
have  been  abandoned  the  next  year. 

The  action  of  the  churches  of  this  Association  in 
withdrawing  from  the  Chickasaw  at  that  time  seems  to 
have  been  inopportune.  Al^raham  Lincoln  was  elected 
president  of  the  United  States  within  a  fortnight  after 
the  first  meeting  of  the  Association,  and  the  Civil  War 
was  a  historic  fact  before  the  second  meeting  of  the 
body.  The  second  meeting  of  the  association  was  held 
in  Sejjtcmber,  1861,  embracing  the  fourth  Sunday. 
Owing  to  the  excitement  incident  to  the  intestine  strife, 
but  little  was  undertaken  by  the  l)ody.  For  four  years 
the  Association  was  practically  inoperative, and  doubt- 
less s\)me  who  desired  its  formation,  after  enduring  the 
hardships  of  the  tented  field,  fell  asleep, and  their  bodily 
forms,  in  gory  clothes,  were  wrapped  in  their  blankets, 
and  let  down  in  the  earth  to  know  no  awaking  until 
the  starthng  morn  of  the  resurrection. 

On  Sept.  22,  1865,  the  third  session  commenced 
with  Canaan  church,  Tippah  county.  The  organiza- 
tion was  cheered  l5\'  the  application  of  three  churches 
for  admission  into  the  body,  New  Hope  from  the  old 
Chickasaw,  and  two  newly  constituted  churches,  Shel- 
by Creek,  and  Providence.  Ambrose  Kay,  a  man  of 
known  piet\',  was  elected  moderator.  His  wife  taught 
him  how  to  read  after  thev   were  married,  yet   he  was 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  913 

eminent  in  rill  the  educational  advancement  of  his. 
brethren,  and  was  a  warm  supporter  of  thCj-jMary 
Washington  College  at  Pontotoc.  The  war  was  over- 
with  these  people,  and  they  went  to  work  with  a  zeal 
to  rebuild  the  broken  places  in  the  walls  of  Zion.  An 
Executive  Board  was  appointed  at  this  session  of  the 
body  to  foster  associational  missions, and  $220.00  was 
pledged  for  the  benevolence.  It  was  reconmiended  to 
the  churches  that  they  organize  Sunday  Schools.  A.  G. 
Parrott  and  L.  F.  Cossitt  were  now  in  the  Association, 
both  of  whom  were  regarded  as  fine  preachers  in  those 
days.  The  writer  remembers  hearing  Parrott  preaclx 
at  Cherry  Creek  in  the  following  year.  He  was  there 
attending  a  meeting  of  the  Chickasaw  Association^ 
His  fame  as  a.  preacher  had  preceeded  him.  The  Asso~ 
ciation  adjourned  to  hear  him  preach.  The  young  man 
in  his  minority  gave  him  rapt  attention,  and  retained 
the  elevating  influence  exerted  ui)on  him  by  the  chaste 
speaker. 

On  September,  21,  186G,  the  Association  convened 
with  the  Union  church.  Mark  P.  Lowrey  was  elected 
moderator.  The  last  time  we  noticed  him  in  this  his- 
tory, he  ^vas  making  a  good  soldier  of  the  cross.  In 
the  Civil  War  that  intervened  he  made  a  good  soldier 
in  the  army  fighting  for  his  country,  and  at  the  close 
of  that  war  took  off  the  epaulets  of  a  brigadier  general 
to  enter  the  ami}-  of  his  Lord,  again  to  fight  for  him 
the  remaining  nineteen  j'cars  of  his  life,  and  then  at  the 
river's  brink,  to  suddenly  lay  aside  the  habiliments  of 
an  earthly  strife  for  the  special  civic  honors  of  the  coun- 
try sought  br  the  i)ure  in  heart. 

Saulsl)erry,  Harmony  and  Pleasant  Grove  churches, 
recently  organized,  were  received  along  with  Bethlehem^ 
Pleasant  Hill  and  Pinv  Grove  churches  from  Chickasaw* 


914-  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Association.  The  Executive  Board  reported  that  they 
had  emploj^ed  M.  P.  Lowrey  to  give  half  his  time  to 
missionary  work  in  the  bounds  of  the  Association.  He 
reported  two  churches  constituted.  He  received 
$347.50.  There  were,  at  that  time,  20  churches  in  the 
bod3^,  with  a  total  of  928  members. 

In  1867-68,  the  Association  was  strengthened  by 
ihe  addition  of  the  Flat  Rock,  Pocahontas,  Hamilton, 
Clear  Creek,  and  Chewalla  churches.  The  missionary 
work  in  the  Association  was  pushed  with  a  zest,  and 
to  commendable  success.  A.  G.  Parrott,  was  mission- 
ar}',  a  man  wdiose  tongue  was  touched  and  electrified 
b\^  the  divine  finger.  W.  H.  Holcombe,  the  grand  old 
man,  on  August  9,  1867,  folded  his  tent  to  close  life's 
nomadic  wanderings.  He  allowed  no  one  to  surpass 
him  in  labors  for  his  Master.  The  following  ministers 
were  in  the  Association  at  that  time,  viz :  D.  R.  Bryant, 
L.P.Cossitt,  J.  M.  Chambers,  J.  A.  Crook,  W.H.Doyle, 
R.  E.  Fowles,  J.  W.  Johnson,  W.  D.  Lancaster,  H.  F, 
Lipford,  M.  P.  Lowrey,  J.  H.  Prescott,  A.  G.  Parrott, 
A.  Ray,  AL  Ray,  J.  E.  Rogers,  H.  G.  vSpenser,  H.  C. 
Spenser,  and  T.  J.  Valentine.  There  were  then  23 
churches  with  a  membership  of  1,760. 

The  all-absorbing  cause  in  the  Association  seemed 
to  be  the  associational  work,  the  occupying  of  the  field. 
In  1869,  the  Association  had  no  committee  to  report 
on  Foreign  missions.  But  in  1870,  $224-. 50  was  sub- 
scribed for  Foreign  missions,  and  $170.00  for  Minis- 
terial Education.  In  that  year  the  Executive  Board 
reported  that  two  associational  missionaries  had  been 
employed,  viz:  AI.  D.  Lancaster  and  W.  L.  Skinner,  the 
former  for  half  his  time,  and  the  latter  for  one-fourth 
his  time.  Two  churches  had  been  organized,  and  Shady 
Grove  and  New  Bethel  were  received  into  the  Association. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  915 

The  ninth  session  of  the  l)ody  was  held  with  the 
Academy  church,  Septemlicr  22,  1871.  AI.  P.  Lowrey 
was  re-elected  moderator.  The  Treasurer's  report 
showed  an  advance  in  the  work.  $529.80  had  been 
received  for  associational  missions,  and  $190.00  lor 
Ministerial  Education.  It  appears  that  about  this 
time  there  was  a  growing  interest  in  Ministerial  Educa- 
tion in  the  body.  In  1869,  W.  G.  Thompson,  a  memljer 
of  the  Ripley  Baptist  church,  was  in  the  Southern  Bap- 
tist Theological  Seminary,  then  located  at  Greenville, 
South  Carolina.  Sixteen  members  of  the  body  pledged 
themselves  tor  his  support  for  three  years,  the  time 
that  was  necessary-  for  the  completion  of  a  full  course 
in  the  Seminary  by  a  student.  Gen.  AI.  P.  Lowrey  was 
trustee  of  the  Seminary,  and  much  interested  in  the 
ministerial  work  of  Mississippi  College.  The  writer 
knows  of  the  interest  Gen.  M.  P.  Lowrey  had  in  the 
Seminary  in  1872.  At  that  time  there  was  great  ex- 
citement in  the  Southern  States  over  a  discovery  of  the 
fact  that  Dr.  Wm.  Williams,  a  professor  of  the  Seminary, 
was  an  alien  immersionist,  and  Gen.  M.  P.  Lowrey 
being  a  trustee  of  the  Seminary,  felt  deeply  the  deplora- 
ble condition  of  the  worthy  and  beneficial  institution 
of  learnhig.  In  1872,  the"  Tippah  gave  $260.00  to 
Ministerial  Education,  with  a  falling  off  in  the  contri- 
butions for  associational  missions,  and  $12.80  reported 
collected  for  Foreign  missions. 

In  1872,  two  important  events  occurred,  which 
merit  special  notice.  One  was  the  happy  impression 
made  by  C.  E.  Bramc,  the  missionary  secretary  of  the 
Sunday  School  Board  of  the  State  Convention.  He 
was  a  man  of  marvelous  energy,  and  succeeded  in  a 
few  months  in  arousing  an  interest  in  the  Sunday 
School  work  that  has  not  been  equaled  since.     The 


916  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

staid  clerk  of  the  Association  gives  his  pen  Hbert\'  and 
says:  "The  Association  was  addressed,  and,  we  think,. 
edified  by  M.  P.  Lowrey  and  C.  E.  Brame."  This  quo- 
tation shows  that  the  cause  represented  by  the  speak- 
ers was  promoted  on  the  occasion.  The  second  event 
was  the  missionar_v  sermon  preached  at  night  on  the 
Sabbath,  embraced  in  the  sitting  of  the  Association  by 
J.  M.  ChamJDers.  We  are  tokl  in  the  Minutes,  that  it 
"wall  be  long  remembered  b\^  all  wdio  heard,  as  a  feast, 
indeed." 

Ashland  and  Bethel  churches  v^ere  received  in  1872, 
and    Mount    Moriah    and    Pisgah  churches  in   1873. 
Jno.  T.  Buck,  in  his  brief  history  of  the  body,  says  :  "The 
Executive  Board   reported  that,  as  the  churches  had 
made  no  pledges  for  the  j^ear,  it  was  deemed  best  to 
turn  over  the  small  amount  of  funds  on  hand  to  the 
State  Mission  Board.     $33.25   had   been  received   for 
Foreign  missions,  and  $331.50  for  Ministerial  Educa- 
tion."    The  State  Mission  Board  was  just  beginning 
its  useful  career  in  the  State,  and   doubtless  received 
with  thanksgiving  even  this  small   amount   from  the 
far-away  association.     Tippah  Association  had  at  this 
time  a  number  of  young  ministers  ^n  school  who  w-ere 
in  a  few  3^ears  to  show^  themselves  great  and   useful. 
J.  W.  Sanford,  J.  D.  Anderson   and   W.  E.  Berry;   w^ho 
has  not  heard  of  them?     J.  W.  Sanford   was  golden- 
tongued.     He  was  afterward  the  brilliant  husband  of 
Mrs.  Janie   Lowrej^  Sanford   Graves,  of  China.    J.  D. 
Anderson  is  a  man   of   splendid    gifts    and    married  a 
daughter  of  M.  P.  Lowrey.     I  scarcely  need   speak  of 
W.  E.  Berry.     He  and  his  wife,  the  eldest  daughter  of 
M.  P.  Lowrey,  are  one  wnth  the  name  of  Blue  Moun- 
tain Female  College.     We  need  not  wonder,  in  the  face 
of  these  facts  that  the  amount  contributed  In-  the  body 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  917 

to  Ministerial  Education  amounted  to  $331.50  in  1873. 
It  seems  that  it  overshadowed  every  other  cause  of 
benevolence.  In  1874-,  says  John  T.  Buck,  "  the  mission 
work  seems  about  this  time  to  have  suffered  and  special 
attention  l)een  paid  Ministerial  Education.  Only  $15.11 
had  Ijcen  contriljuted  to  Domestic  missions,  and  $24,95 
for  Foreign  missions,  while  $181  90  was  received  for 
Ministerial  Education." 

The  Association  was  not  lacking  in  its  zeal  for 
female  education.  In  1872,  a  resolution  was  adopted 
to  the  effect,  "that  the  Baptist  Female  Seminarx'  at 
Pontotoc,  under  the  efficient  management  of  Dr.  W.  L. 
Slack,  is  worthy  of  patronage.  The  course  of  instruc- 
tion is  thorough;  the  discipline  mild,  but  firm;  the 
board  excellent  and  chccip,  and  the  general  manage- 
ment of  the  very  best  kind."  In  1874,  the  following 
resolution  was  passed  : 

^'Resolved,  That  we  recommend  to  Baptists  and 
other  friends  of  female  education  the  Blue  Alountain 
Female  Institute,  under  the  control  of  M.  P.  Lowrey. 
The  teachers  are  fulW  competent,  the  course  is  thor- 
ough, and  the  charges  moderate.*'  In  1875,  on  page 
eleven  of  the  Minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Associa- 
tion we  find  this  resolution  : 

^'Resolved,  That  we  hereby  heartily  recommend  to 
all  friends  of  female  education  the  Blue  AlQuntain  Fe- 
male Institute  under  the  control  of  M.  P.  Lowrej-,  as 
highly  worthy  of  supjjort  and  patronage,  as  being 
])c)th  a  cheap  and  thorough  institution  of  learning.'' 

In  1876,  the  Tippah  Association  met  with  the 
Canaan  church  in  Benton  county,  at  which  meeting  the 
Prescott  Springs  church  was  received.  Much  life  was 
shown  during  this  year  in  the  body.  It  appeared  that 
there  was   a  growing  interest    in  the  Sunday-school 


918  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

work,  and  $202.50  was  subscribed  to  Home  missions. 
In  the  following  ^'•ear,  1877,  $129.50  was  pledged  for 
State  missions  outside  of  their  offering  to  associational 
missions.  J.  C.  Gadd  had  been  working  in  the  Associa- 
tion as  missionary  and  had  estalolished  one  church  and 
four  Sunday  schools.  The  churches  of  the  Association 
had  at  that  date  2,006  members. 

In  1879,  the  Association  that  met  at  New  Hope 
church,  Tippah  county,  was  composed  of  thirty 
churches.  It  was  an  inspiriting  meeting.  In  the  meet- 
ing of  the  union  were  such  men  as  L.  Ball,  E.  Z.  Sim- 
mons, AI.  P.  Lowrej',  L.  P.  Cossitt,  W.  E.  Berr3^,  W.  D. 
Lancaster,  T.  J.  Valentine,  A.  G.  Parrott,  H.  F.  Lip- 
ford,  J.  E.  Rogers,  B.  T.  Kimbrough,  and  E.  Windes. 
The  mission  reports  were  cheerful;  the  old  debts  hav- 
ing all  been  paid,  $135.00  had  been  collected  for  Asso- 
ciational missions,  $105.95  for  State  missions,  $108.21 
for  Foreign  missions,  and  $78.50  for  ministerial  Educa- 
tion. Fouryoung  ministers  were  in  the  Blue  Mountain 
Male  ticademy,  viz;  J.  C.  Gadd,  L.  T.  Ray,  D.  E.  Gam- 
brell,  and  and  E.  L.  Wesson.  In  1880,  the  Blue 
Mountain,  Blest  Hope,  Central  Oak,  Line  and  Utah 
churches  were  received  into  the  body.  $16.50  was 
given  to  State  missions. 

In  1881,  the  Association  had  its  strength  of  thepre- 
ceeding  A-ear  increased  bj'  several  strong  men,  as  H.  L. 
Finley,j'  B.  Gambrell, W.  H.  M.  Durham,and  A.  H. Booth. 
L.  Ball  was  chosen  moderator.  The  report  on  Publica- 
tions was  read  bj^  H.  L.  F-inlej^  which,  with  other  pub- 
lications, recommended  The  Baptist  Record^  published 
at  Jackson,  Mississippi,  and  The  Baptist  of  Memphis. 
The  Baptist  still  had  man^^  strong  friends  in  North 
Alississlppi,  after  the  Baptist  Record  was  made  our 
State  paper.    J.  R.  Graves  was  a  man  of  remarkable 


HISTORY     OP     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  919 

magnetism  and  sti'ong  jxTsonal  ties.  After  the  dis- 
eussion  between  him  and  J.  B.  Gambrell  on  ehureh  com- 
munion, the  work  in  the  ^Tippah  and  the  Cold  water 
Associations  became  complicated  and  intricate.  The 
Ti])pah  Association  was  held  in  line  with  our  workers 
by  such  strong  men  as  M.  P.  Lowrev  and  L.  Ball. 
Their  wisdom  triumphed  over  their  kindh'  feeling  for 
the  editor  of  The  Baptist.  These  two  men  would  have 
been  true  to  their  Convention  work  and  to  our  paper 
interest,  though  J.  R.  Graves  had  been  their  natural 
father.  It  is  conspicuously  true  that  Tippah  Associa- 
tion has  not  yet  furnished  any  one  to  turn  up  his  heel 
against  our  Convention  work,  but  on  the  contrarv  has 
furnished  our  common  interests  with  many  strongmen, 
who  have  seemed  indispensalile  at  times. 

The  Tippah  Association  was  in  close  co-operation 
with  our  State  mission  work.  Their  plan  of  co-opera- 
tion was  peculiar  to  tiieir  situation  and  their  needs. 
They  did  their  own  associational  work  Iw  a  super- 
vising Executive  Board.  This  was  done  as  State  mis- 
sion work.  Any  money  that  remained  after  thev  had 
met  their  needs  was  turned  over  to  the  State  fund.  In 
1SS2,  the  churches  pledged  v$4-30.00  to  this  work.  The 
Ijrevious  year  the  chairman  of  their  Board  had  reported 
a  debt  of  $220.60.  It  w^s  resolved  by  the  new  Board 
to  first  pay  the  de1)t.  But  they  did  not  cease  mission- 
ary' work  while  the  money  was  l)eing  raised.  Imme- 
diately L.  T.  Kay  was  put  into  the  field.  But  owing 
to  the  short  crop  of  ISSl,  little  could  be  done  towards 
cancelling  their  obligation.  Bv  unanimous  agreement, 
the  close  co-operation  with  the  State  Board  referred  to 
was  agreed  upon,  which  made  their  pledges  to  State 
nfissions  availal)le  for  the  payment  of  the  debt.  H.  L. 
Finley  was  then  employed.      I  lis  success  was  in  everv 


"920  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Wtiy  gratifying.  He  entered  the  field  in  January,  1882, 
agreeing  to  give  his  whole  time  to  the  work  at  a  salary 
of$500.00ayear. 

In  the  report  of  their  Executive  Board,  it  is  stated 
that  almost  every  church  in  the  Association  was  or- 
ganized by  missionary  labor  directed  by  the  old  Chick- 
asaw Association.  The  Tippah  was  exhorted  to  follow 
the  example  of  her  mother. 

L.  T.  Ray,  missionary  pastor  at  Falconer,  reported 
that  the  church  had  made  substantial  progress.  H.  L. 
Finley  reported  that  he  had  traveled  2,297  miles,  had 
sold  fifty-three  Bibles,  and  151  Testaments,  1,500  vol- 
umes of  books,  and  had  distributed  20,000  pages  of 
tracts.  He  had  baptized  seventeen,  and  organized  one 
church.  It  is  difiicult  for  the  historian  to  prevent  him- 
self from  pausing  to  give  extended  favorable  comment 
on  this  report. 

The  interest  of  the  Tippah  iii  Southern  missions  was 
becoming  animated  because  of  the  fact  that  Airs.  Janie 
L.  Sanford  (now  Graves)  daughter  of  G^h.  M.  P.  Low- 
rcy,  had  at  a  recent  date  been  emplo\^ed  to  work  among 
the  Chinese  in  California.  In  the  associational  3'ear 
1881-82  they  gave  $145.10  to  the  Home  .Mission  Board 
exclusively  for  Mrs.  Sanford's  work. 

The  treasurer's  report  for  the  year  was  highly  cred- 
itable. It  showed  that  they  had  given  $85.35  to  For- 
eign missions,  $694.60  to  State  missions,  $167.50  as  a 
total  to  the  Home  Mission  Board,  $52.65  to  Missisippi 
College,  $60.00  to  the  Southern  Baptist  Theological 
Seminary,  and  $1 1.50  to  Ministericl  Education, making 
a  grand  total  ot  $1,071.45. 

In  1881,  the  Tippah  met  with  the  church  at|Riple\'. 
The  writer,  then  Financial  Secrctarv  of  Mississippi  Col- 
cge,  was  with  the  body  in  1882  and  also  in  1883.     In 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  921 

■company  with  J.  B.  Gamln-ell,  he  went  from  Oxford  by 
way  of  Grand  Junctit)n  and  Middleton,  Tennessee.  At 
Grand  Junction,  we  were  joined  by  J.  R.  Graves  of  Mem- 
phis. It  could  l3e  seen  at  a  glance  that  the  times  were 
to  be  interesting.  For  months  a  running  discussion  on 
''Church  Communion"  had  l)een  carried  on  by  these  two 
•distinguished  men  in  their  respective  papers,  777eA'ecorf/ 
and  The  Baptist.  We  had  many  Baptists  in  our  State 
who  were  vociferous  in  their  agreement  with  J.  R. 
Graves,  on  "noninter  communion."  J.  B.  Gambrell 
differed  from  him  in  his  views  on  the  subject,  and,  really 
wished  to  clear  the  field  of  the  rubbish  of  such  a  useless 
predominating  occupancy  of  thought  for  the  right  of 
way  of  our  State  evangelization. 

Gen.  M.  P.  Lovvrey,  eager  for  forward  work,  with- 
out an\'  interruption,  and  still  cherishing  a  Wcirm  friend- 
ship for  J.  R.  Graves,  had  chosen  the  writer  as  an  ex- 
ponent of  our  State  work,  and  had  arranged  before- 
hand that  he  and  the  writer  should  be  together  in  the 
"home  of  Simon  R.  Spight,  that  the  closest  touch  might 
be  maintained.  But,  alas,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  first 
day  of  the  session  the  college  agent  had  a  racking  chill 
and  distressed  1)y  a  ])urning  fever,  was  compelled  to  re- 
turn home. 

The  Executive  Board  reported  cheerfully.  All  the 
liabilities  of  the  Board  had  been  met,  and  there  was  a 
small  amount  in  the  treasury.  H.  L.  Finley  was  still  in 
the  field  and  doing  some  of  the  best  work  of  his  useful 
life.  J.  E.  Buchanan  was  missionary  in  the  field  at 
Hickory-  Flat  and  Wicker's  School-house.  It  is  said, 
"Never  before  has  the  missionary  work  been  so  promis- 
ing.'' J.  L.  Finley  reported  twelve  persons  baptized, 
and  another  church  constituted.  The  treasurer's  re- 
port showed  that  they   had   contributed  that  associa- 


922  .  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

tonal  \'car  for  State  missions,  $1,038.05,  for  Foreign 
Missions,  $87.25,  for  Southern  missions,  $121.10,  and 
for  Ministerial  Education.  $86.45;  total  $3,4-30.50. 

In  188 4-,  the  Association  was  composed  of  eighteen 
churches,  \vith  a  total  membership  of  2, l^S.  The  pas- 
tors were  L.  P.  Cossitt,  N.  A.  West,  H.  L.  West,  H.  L. 
Finle\%  W.  E.  Berry,  E.  L.  Wesson,  W.  L.  Farmer,  E. 
M.  Lloyd,  J.  E.  Buchanan,  M.  P.  Lowrey,  I.  H.  Anding, 
and  T.  J.  Valentine.  The  Executive  Board  consisted 
of  W.  E.  Berry,  chairman,  H.  H.  Ray,  P.  C.  Gadd,  W. 
H.  M.  Durham,  J.  H.  Buchanan,  R.  E.  Whitten,  and  C. 
J.  Frederick.  AI.  P.  Lowrey  was  moderator,  W.  O. 
Rutherford,  clerk,  and  C.  J.  Frederick,  treasurer. 

It  was  thought  that  the  missionary  spirit  was  in- 
creasing. H.  L.  Finley  was  still  in  charge  of  their  mis- 
sionar3'  and  colportage  work.  He  was  giving  his  en- 
tire time  to  the  Board.  Arrangements  were  made  for 
J.  E.  Buchanan  to  occup3^  a  part  of  the  destitute  field. 
W.  E.  Berr3%  reporting  the  Board's  work,  said:  "Fort\' 
3'ears  ago,  in  all  North  Mississippi,  there  was  onlv  one 
small  association,  the  Chickasaw,  with  a  membership 
of  onl\'  sixteen  hundred.  Now  there  are  ten  associa- 
tions, with  an  aggregate  membership  of  some  twent\^ 
thousand.  In  the  territor3'  of  this  bodv,  with  her 
thirt3'-three  (33)  churches,  thirtv  (30)  preachers,  and 
more  than  2,000  members,  there  were  then  onh-  nine 
churches,  with  four  preachers,  and  400  Baptists.'' 

In  1885,  the  Association  convened  with  the  New 
Prospect  church.  L.  P.  Cossitt  was  chosen  moderator, 
J.  W.  Grump,  clerk,  and  C.  J.  Frederick,  treasurer. 

In  that  3'ear,  the  Association  had  a  sad  "in  memo- 
riam."  Two  of  the  most  honored  and  useful  ot  the  body 
had  passed  awa3\  On  the  27th  of  Februar3',  1885,  M. 
P.  Lowrey  went  to  his  reward.     He  began   to  preach 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  923 

earh'  in  life.  Ste])  In'  step  he  advaneed  in  usefulness, 
until,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  he  seemed  indispensable 
to  our  State  work.  He  was  foremost  in  all  advaneed 
Avork  and  every  good  enterprise.  He  had  served  on  the 
Board  of  Trustees,  both  of  Mississipi^i  College  and  of 
our  State  University.  Seven  3'ears  he  was  editor  of  the 
Mississippi  Department  of  the  Baptist,  and  for  ten 
years,  president  of  the  Mississippi  Baptist  State  Con- 
vention. He  was  a  man  whom  our  jjeople  felt  safe  in 
trusting  with  high  ]5ositions,  and  whom  they  delighted 
to  honor.  He  was  in  the  first  meeting  of  the  Tippah 
Assoeiation;  and,  in  all  of  its  history,  to  the  date  of 
his  death,  j^ermitted  no  one  to  exeel  him  in  interest  and 
activity  in  its  meetings.  He  was  chosen  moderator  at 
their  second  gathering,  in  1866,  and  was  in  the  chair 
as  the  presiding  officer  of  the  body  at  12  sessions. 

On  the  8rd  day  of  July,  1HS5,  L.  T.  Kay  fell  on 
sleep.  He  married  a  daughter  of  Al.  P.  Lowre3^  He 
was  a  \'oung  man  of  great  i)romise.  He  was  very 
companionable,  energetic,  faithful,  and  pious.  Perhaps 
he  was  more  noted  for  his  unfeigned  piety  than  an\'- 
thing  else.  He  had  an  unclouded  transparency  of  char- 
acter that  so  clcarh'  permitted  his  light  to  shine,  that 
he  needed  no  sect  glorification,  no  bugle's  blast,  to 
draAv  the  gaze  of  those  who  admired  the  ])ure  in   heart. 

But  God  ever  lives,  and  the  work  of  the  Association 
ke])t  its  rapid  ]Kice.  God  works  through  agents,  but 
when  he  shall  take  away  one,  he  lays  his  hand  on  an- 
other. H.  L.  Finley  was  still  in  the  field  as  missionary. 
In  1  SS5  he  rc])orted  2,527  miles  of  travel,  sold  60  Bi- 
bles and  28  Testaments,  distril)uted  8,000  images  of 
tracts,  baptized  24-  ])ersons,  and  established  another 
church.  Judging  from  his  report  to  the  Association,  he 
did  missionary  work  nearly  all  over  the  territory  of 
the  bod3'. 


'924-  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  reports  of  the  committees  from  1882  to  1885 
inclusive,  were  above  the  average  of  reports  made  by 
committees  to  our  associations  in  the  State.  The 
committees  on  Publications  recommended  the  organs 
of  communication  of  the  Foreign  and  Home  Boards. 
Along  with  these  was  placed  The  Record,  and  except- 
ing 1884,  T/^e  baptist,  of  Memphis.  The  schools  com- 
mended to  the  body  were.  The  Southern  Baptist  Theo- 
logical Seminarj',  Blue  Mountain  Female  College,  and 
Mississippi  College. 

For  clearness  and  for  convenience  we  will  consider 
the  last  fifteen  years  of  the  historj'  of  this  Association 
b^'  the  topical  method.  This  method  has  been  found 
most  satisfactory  in  considering  the  last  years  of  the 
existence  of  the  Association,  as  it  allows  close  consecu- 
tiveness  of  reports  on  each  object  of  benevolence. 

The  reports  on  temperance,  made  during  this  period 
by  some  of  the  associations,  were  interesting  JDecause 
of  the  resistance  that  was  shown  to  what  was  known 
in  the  nineties  as  the  "Hop  Joints."  But  it  appears 
that  the  Tippah  was  not  especialh'  irritated  by  what 
proved  a  nefarious  traffic  in  other  parts  of  the  State. 
We  will,  therefore,  but  give  some  excerpts  from  the  an- 
nual reports  on  temperance,  which  will  convey  a  cor- 
rect idea  of  the  attitude  of  the  Tippah  on  the  question 
of  temperance  reform. 

In  1886,  this  language  was  put  into  their  report 
on  temperance:  "We  heartily  approve  and  endorse  the 
action  and  position  taken  by  those  counties  that  have 
adopted  prohibition  by  local  option."'  In  another  re- 
port, these  words  occur:  "We  urge  our  brotherhood  to 
labor  in  any  honorable  way  for  t4ie  promotion  of  a 
healthy  sentiment  upon  this  question  among  the 
masses."    Again:    "It  becomes  ever}-  Christian  to  be 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  925 

vStill  more  zealous  and  to  lend  his  influence  toward  blot- 
ting out  this  curse  from  our  country."  "The  death  rate 
is  26  per  cent  greeter  among  drunkards  than  among 
teetotalers,  and  about  75  per  cent  of  the  crime  of  the 
United  States  is  due  to  drink." 

In  their  reports  on  Publications  they  usuall3'-  re- 
commended our  State  Baptist  paper,  the  Baptist,  of 
JVIemphis,  the  Foreign  Journal  and  Kind  Words.  In 
1889  the  Southern  Baptist  Record  and  the  Baptist  and 
i?e/7ector  were  commended.  The  Record  had  combined 
with  the  Southern  Baptist,  of  Meridian,  Mississippi, 
and  the  Baptist  and  the  Reflector,  two  Tennessee  pa- 
pers, had  been  consolidated.  The  Home  Field  \vas  em- 
braced in  the  report  of  that  year,  and  for  years  follow- 
ing. In  1894,  the  Record  had  a  rival  in  the  State  so 
strong  and  so  attractive  as  to  call  for  commendation 
from  the  Tippah — the  Baptist  Layman,  of  Winona. 
That  paper  was  also  recommended  to  the  brotherhood 
in  1895  and  in  1896.  In  1897,  it  was  said,  the  Baptist 
Layman  is  a  splendid  weekly,  and  the  management 
having  associated  with  it  St.  Clair  Lawrence  as  Field 
Editor,  (he  of  the  Tippah  Association)  we  especially 
recommend  it  to  our  Association."  In  1898,  The  Bap^ 
t/st,  published  at  Jackson,  Mississippi,  had  taken  the 
place  of  the  two  papers,  the  Record  and  the  Layman, 
and  was  highly  commended.  The  two  following  years 
the  same  recommendation  was  made. 

The  Tippah,  like  many  other  associations,  had  no 
Sunda}'  School  Conventions.  Their  committees  on 
Sunday  Schools,  therefore,  were  devoid  of  anything 
sjjecial  on  the  Sunday  School  work.  They  had  some 
difficulty  in  getting  Sunday  School  statistics  from  the 
church  letters  to  the  Association,  and  were  unable  to- 
tell  the  number  of  schools  and  pupils.     There  are  a  great 


926  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

many  more  Sunclaj^  Schools  in  our  State  than  we  are 
credited  with  by  statistical  tables,  and  great  unfai 
ness  is  done  us  l)y  the  churches  in  their  failure  to  give 
Sunda^^  School  statistics.  In  1899,  B.  G.  Lowre_v  was 
appointed  Sunda}-  School  missionary  to  take  charge 
of  the  work. 

Good  reports  were  made  on  the  Mississippi  Bap- 
tist Orphanage  from  its  origin  in  1897  to  this  date.  In 
1897,  the  Orphanage  was  given  a  long,  well  written 
report,  J.  A.  Autry  being  chairman  of  the  committee. 
Full  and  accurate  information  was  given  on  the  his- 
tory of  Orphans'  Homes  in  general,  and  our  Orphan- 
age in  particular.  The  chairman  showed  wonderful 
research  and  painstaking  in  getting  up  his  report.  It 
is  only  deficient,  in  that  it  does  not  recommend  any- 
thing to  the  Association  as  a  line  of  work  in  the  sup- 
port of  the  Orphanage.  The  reports,  the  two  follow- 
ing years,  were  also  highly  instructive.  In  1900,  it  was 
said,  "This  institution  has  none  and  does  not  want 
any  endowment,  preferring  to  rel}^  upon  the  promises 
of  God  and  the  liberality  of  the  churclics  for  its  sup- 
port." 

The  Tippah  did  not  permit  a  year  to  pass  without 
a  report  on  Education.  The  Association  has  ever  been, 
true  in  its  alliance  with  Mississippi  College.  M.  P. 
Lowrey  sent  all  his  sons  to  the  institution,  nearh'  all 
of  them  becoming  graduates  of  the  College.  Bv  his  in- 
fluence, direct  and  indirect,  man^-  young  men  of  merit 
have  attended  the  sessions  of  our  College.  Blue  Moun- 
tain Female  College  is  a  lasting  monument  to  the  en- 
ergy and  good  judgment  of  M,  P.  Lowrey.  A  man  of 
equal  merits  could  have  established  a  female  school 
much  more  readily  further  south  in  our  State.  For 
years,  his  school  was  not  reached   133^  any  line  of  raii- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  927 

road,  and  yet  it  was  enthusiastically  patronized  far 
and  wide.  His  sons,  between  whom  it  is  hard  to  dis- 
criminate, have  proven  worthy  successors  of  their  no- 
ble sire.  These  two  institutions  now  and  then  with 
Blue  Mountain  Male  Academy,  were  recommended 
year  by  year,  and  supported  Ijy  patronage  and   means. 

The  reports  on  Home  and  Foreign  missions  were 
al)out  of  the  usual  character — instructive.  More  than 
usual  i)ith  and  point  were  given  to  Home  missions. 
They  had  become  enlisted  in  Home  missions  when  Mrs. 
Janie  Sanford  was  missionary  in  California,  and  hap- 
pih'  retained  their  interest  in  an  observable  degree. 
The}^  mentioned  in  their  reports  the  work  ofthe  Home 
Board  in  New  Orleans,  and  in  Cuba,  as  points  of  prox- 
imitA'  to  Mississippi,  that  the  nearness  of  these  mis- 
sions might  elicit  interest  in  that  line  of  benevolence. 
In  1889,  it  was  suggested  that  a  lack  of  interest  in 
Home  missions  was  attriliutable  to  pastoral  ineffici- 
ency, and  two  recommendations  were  made:  That  pas- 
tors inform  the  churches  as  to  the  various  fields  ot 
labor  and  their  needs,  and  that  regular  collections  be 
taken  for  the  Home  Mission  Board. 

As  has  already  been  explained,  their  State  and  as- 
sociational  mission  work  were  closely  allied.  Their 
associational  work  was  reported  as  State  missions, 
and  usually  they  collected  money  that  was  forwarded 
to  the  State  Board  beyond  the  supi)ort  of  their  own 
missions.  Their  plan  suited  them  and  worked  well, 
and  the  State  Board  was  satisfied. 

We  find  that,  in  18SG,  H.  L.  Finley  was  still  in  the 
employ  of  their  Executive  Board.  That  was  well  and 
wise.  As  a  missionary  in  the  State  work,  he  has  been 
eciualed  by  few,  and  excelled  by  none.  He  was  giving 
all  his  time  to  the  Executive  Board.    J.    E.    Buchanan 


928  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS, 

was  missionary  pastor  at  Falconer,  and  W.  K.  Br\^ant 
was  employed  at  Tiplersville.  That  was  a  strange 
place  for  a  sober  preacher  like  that  worthy  brother. 
On  May  7,  1886,  Dr.  J.  H.  Buchanan  fell  on  sleep.  He 
was  a  thoughtful,  solid,  consecrated  man.  He  did 
good  work  during  his  short  ministry,  and  left  his  mem- 
or\^  fragrant  in  North  Mississippi.  H.  L.  Finley  made 
his  usual  full  report  to  the  Executive  Board. 

With  difficult^'  they  prevailed  upon  H.  L.  Finle}^  to 
do  work  the  following  3^ear.  During  the  j^ear  he  served 
the  Unity,  Pleasant  Ridge,  and  Bethel  churches.  But 
he  could  not  be  induced  the  next  year  to  ride  for  the 
Board.  ].  H.  Shackleford  was  appointed  as  his  suc- 
cessor, who,  with  W.  G.  Thompson,  assumed  the  care 
of  their  missions. 

In  1889,  their  work  was  waivering.  There  w^as  a 
debt  of  $300.00  hanging  over  the  Board,  and  there 
were  no  pledges  to  meet  the  demand.  The  Board  was 
compelled  to  retrench.  Yet  work  was  done  at  Hickory 
Flat,  New  Prospect,  New  Bethel,  and  Pleasant  Ridge. 
The  following  j^ear,  there  was  no  report  put  before  the 
body  on  associational  missions.  In  1891,  no  mission- 
ary was  employed.  In  1892,  W.  T.  LowrcA'^  was  made 
chairman  of  the  Executive  Board.  The  following  3'ear 
the  services  of  H.  L.  Finle^^  were  again  secured,  and  the 
w"ork  began  to  brighten  at  once.  He  gave  half  his 
time  at  a  salary  of  $300.00.  He  traveled  2,577  miles, 
baptized  six,  organized  five  Sunday  Schools,  and  con- 
stituted one  church. 

In  1894,  J,  N.  McMillin,  in  his  report  on  State  mis- 
sions, showed  some  despondencw  as  to  the  success  of 
their  work.  Of  the  $400.00  promised  their  missiona- 
ries, W.  E.  Lancaster  and  St.  Clair  Lawrence,  they  yet 
owed    $200.00.     Closer    relation    to    the  State  Board 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  929 

was  recommended,  i.  e.,  that  the  State  Board  l)e  al- 
lowed to  appoint  their  missionaries  on  the  recommend- 
ation of  the  Executive  Board.  It  was  thought  that 
this  plan  would  lessen  resjjonsiljility,  and  be  more  ef- 
ficient. Xo  missionary  was  jmt  into  the  held  the  fol- 
lowing year.  Dejiendence  was  put  in  the  Filth  Sunday 
meeting  for  missionary  resuscitation,  l3ut  thej-  were 
not  well  attended.  < 

.  In  1896,  the  Board  was  still  timid  and  afraid  of 
debt,  but  in  the  spring  put  W.  G.  Thompson  in  the  field 
for  a  part  of  his  time  at  a  salary  of  $100.00,  all  of 
which  they  were  not  able  to  ]:»ay  before  the  meeting  of 
the  .\ssociation.  The  following  3'ear  much  destitution 
in  their  bounds  was  recognized,  l)ut  collections  were 
poor. 

The  Executive  Board,  in  1898,  announced  that  they 
were  still  co-operating  with  the  Convention  Board  and 
that  they  were  called  on  for  $1,025.00  for  allpurjioses. 
The  plan  of  apportionment  w-as  resorted  to  and  has 
been  in  favar  to  the  present  time. 

In  1886,  there  were  32  churches  in  the  Ti]i]:)ah  As- 
sociation with  an  aggregate  meml)ersliip  of  2,171.  In 
'  1890,  33  churches  and  a  toted  membership  of  2,304.  In 
1895,  35  churches  wn'th  2,4-00  members,  and  in  1900, 
33,  with  a  total  of  2,4-51  members.  It  is  seen  that  the 
increase  was  gradual,  but  steady. 

In  1886,  the  total  contriliution  .  amounted  to 
$1,4-58.30.  In  1890,  they  contril)uted  to  all  purposes 
as  reported,  $2,331.90;  in  1895,  $2,227.40,  and  in 
1900,  $2,565.44.  There  was  a  slight  falling  off  in  1895, 
but  the  contrilmtion  of  1900  was  far  in  advance  of  the 
former  years. 

The  prominent  ministers  in  the  Tippah  in  this  period 
were:  W,  E.  Berry,  J.  H.  Buchanan,  W.   G,   Thomps  on 


930  HISTORY    OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

W.  T.  Lowrey,  H.  L.  Finley,  J.  R.  Parish,  J.  N.  McMil- 
lin,  L.  P.  Cossitt,  and  others.  The  moderators  of  the 
Association  from  its  origin,  were:  A.  Godwin  in  1860 
and  1861;  M.  P.  Lowrey  in  1866;  A.  Ray  in  1867;  M. 
P.  Lowrey  in  1868  and  1869;  A.  G.  Parrott  from  1870 
to  1874;  M.  P.  Lowrey  from  1875  to  1880;  L.  Ball  in 
1881;  M.  P.  Lowrey  from  1882  to  1884;  L.  P.  Cossitt 
from  1885  to  1888;' W.  G.  Thompson  in  1889  and  1890; 
L.  P.  Cossitt  in  1891,  and  W.  E.  Berry  from  1892  to 
1901.  The  clerks  of  the  bod\'  were:  J.  E.  Rogers  from 
I860  to  1871;  A.  S.  Watson  in  1872;  Thos.  vSpight 
from  1873  to  1877;  O.  F.  Ray  in  1878  and  1879;  W. 
O.  Rutherford  from  1880  to  1884;  J.  W.  Crump  from 
1885  to  1901.  The  treasurers  were  S.  R.  Spight  in 
1860;  H.  Garrett  from  1866  to  1869;  J.  J.  Guytonfrom 
1870  to. 1883;  C.  J.  Frederick  in  1884  and  1885;  J.  F. 
Guyton  in  1886;  W.  H.  M.  Durham  in  1878  and  1888; 
J.  S.  Gillentine  in  1889  and  1890;  J.  N.  McMillin  from 
1891  to  1895;  J.  F.  Ray  in  1895;  H.  H.  Ray  from  1896 
to  1898,  and  J.  A.  Norris  in  1900  and  1901. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS  931 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

SALEM  ASSOCIATION. 

The  churches  of  this  body  were,  in  1869,  in  the 
counties  of  Jasper,  Clark,  Green,  vSimpson,  Smith,  and 
C()vin<j^ton.  Anion<>'  their  postothces  were  Paulding', 
Enterprise,  Shubuta,  Taylorsville,  Raleigh,  and  Wil- 
liamsburg. There  were  at  that  date  30  churches  in  the 
organization  with  a  total  of  838  members.  The  pas- 
tors of  these  churches  were  \V.  West,  John  Williams, 
William  Thigpen,  Isaac  Andrews,  E.  S.  Robinson,  J.  R. 
Smith,  T.  B.  Ileslip,  C.  PI.  Baine,  J.  A.  Hitt.  X.  B.  Rob- 
ertson, G.  W.  Gunn,  J.  P.Johnson,  E.  L.  Carter,  and  D. 
Sum  rail. 

The  body  was  organized  in  ISGO,  but  it  could  have 
accomplished  little  before  1869.  The  Associations 
that  were  constituted  just  before  the  beginning  of  the 
Civil  War  were  exceeding  weak  for  a  decade,  and  had  a 
hard  struggle  to  maintain  their  organization  for  years 
after  the  civil  strife  was  over. 

We  find  that  at  the  end  of  ten  years,  from  1869, 
that  the  Salem  Association  had  in  it  30  churches  with 
a  total  memhcrshi])  of  1,'J32.  The  committee  on  finance 
re])orte(l  in  1869  the  sum  of  $133.20,  and  in  1880, 
$124-. 10.  Tims  it  may  be  seen  that,  in  that  period, 
the  body  had  held  its  own  in  the  number  of  churches, 
had  increased  in  communicants,  and  had  suffered  only 
an  insigniiicant  amount  in  contriljutions. 


932  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

In  1884,  the  union  had  in  it  33  churches,  which 
had  an  aggregate  membership  of  1,460.  This  state- 
ment shows  a  gain  of  128  communicants,  and  three 
churches  in  four  years.  In  1889,  the  number  of  churches 
w^as  considerably  smaller,  consequent  upon  the  going 
out  of  a  number  of  churches  to  other  associations. 

The  most  noted  pastors  in  the  body  in  1869  were 
E.  L.  Carter,  J.  A.  Hitt,  J.  P.  Johnson,  and  WilHam 
Thigpen.  In  1880,  was  added  to  the  number,  T.  E.  H. 
Robinson,  J.  E.  Brunson,  and  J.  E.  Steinwinder.  In 
1884,  we  find  also  the  names  of  J.  D.  Knight  and  L.  J. 
Caughman  in  the  list  of  pastors,  and,  in  1889,  the 
names  of  L.  E.  Hall  and  G.  W.  Knight. 

But  the  minister  who  easily  held  pre-eminence  in  the 
body  from  1869  to  1900  was  William  Thigpen,  a 
brother-in-law  of  N.  L.  Clark.  William  Thigpen  is  now 
far  advanced  in  years,  but  his  mind  is  still  clear  as  a 
cloudless  day,  and  his  heart  still  warm  as  in  years 
agone. 

No  connected  histor3'  of  the  Salem  Association  can 
be  given,  owing  to  the  smallness  of  the  written  records 
of  the  doings  of  the  body  that  have  been  preserved,  but 
the  writer  has  been  promised  by  William  Thigpen,  his 
recollections  of  the  Salem  Association.  If  he  finds  time 
to  write  out  these  recollections,  and  the  infirmities  of 
age  do  not  prevent,  they  will  be  attached  to  this  brief 
statement  of  facts.  The  hope  is  entertained  that  the 
reading  public  shall  have  his  recollections,  and  be  pro- 
fited by  reading  them. 

It  can  be  added  that  the  Salem  Association  is,  and 
has  from  the  first  been,  in  hearty  accord  and  close  co- 
operation with  the  General  Association.  Its  general 
benevolence  has  l^een  directed  through  that  channel. 
There  is  in  the  bodv  now  a  decided  tendencv  toward 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  933 

the  "GosiDcl  Mission"  idea,  l)ut  tlieir  eontribiitions  are 
still  sent  through  tlie  General  Association  directly  to 
the  missionary  on  the  field  of  lal)or.  It  will  recjuire 
time  and  gathered  experience  to  demonstrate  what  this 
idea  will  accomplish  forthem,  and  what  their  attitude 
to  it  will  be  at  the  end  of  this  decade. 


934  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

OXFORD   ASSOCIATION. 

In  very  early  times,  the  Cold  Water  Assoeiation 
occupied  the  territory  of  Northwest  ^Mississippi  as  far 
south  as  the  Tallahatchie  river.  South  of  that  river 
was  the  field  of  the  old  Panola  Association,  long  since 
extinct.  The  Panola  Association  held  its  first  annual 
session  in  1843.  It  had  a  cheerful  existence  until  the 
Civil  War,  shorth-  after  which  it  \vas  disbanded.  In 
1850,  there  were  sixteen  churches  in  the  Panola  Asso- 
ciation with  976  members,  and  in  1854,  seventeen 
churches  with  a  membership  of  705.  Some  of  the 
churches  had,  in  that  four  years,  suft'ered  a  large  de- 
crease in  membership,  perhaps  from  the  organization 
of  new  churches. 

The  territory  occupied  1)\'  the  old  Panola  Associa- 
tion was  virtually  the  same  as  the  field  of  the  Oxford 
Association  to-da^^  Man}'  of  the  churches  that  were 
in  the  Panola  Association  are  now  in  the  Oxford — no- 
tably Oxford,  Yocona,  Clear  Creek,  Yellow  Leaf,  Good 
Hope  and  Alt.  Gilead. 

On  Friday  before  the  fifth  Sunday-  in  (October,  1870, 
a  convention  was  held  with  the  Yocona  church  (Tay- 
lor's Depot)  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  new  Bap- 
tiist  association.  The  convention  was  composed  of 
delegates  from  churches  of  the  Coldwater  and  Yalobu- 
sha associations.     Whitfield  Dupuy  was  called  to  act 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  935 

as  president  of  the  convention,  and  \V.  II.  Carothers, 
secretary-.  The  delegates  composing  the  l)ody  were 
from  the  following  churches :  Clear  Creek,  Pleasant 
Grove,  Eureka,  Bethany,  Good  Hope,  Black  Jack, 
Water  Valley,  Bynum's  Creek,  Oxford,  Alount  Gilead, 
Yellow  Leaf,  Antioch,  and  Yocona. 

After  the  adoption  of  Articles  of  Faith,  Rules  of 
Decorum,  etc.,  permanent  organization  was  effected  by 
the  election  of  Whitfield  Dupuy,  of  the  Water  Valley 
church,  moderator,  W.  H.  Carothers,  of  the  Oxford 
church,  clerk,  and  Jesse  Humphries,  of  Yellow  Leaf, 
treasurer.  J.  G.  Hall  was  received  as  a  messenger  from 
the  Yaiobusha  Association,  and  H,  L.  Finley  from  the 
Chickasaw.  The  Oxford  Association  began  life  with 
thirteen  churches,  which  had  an  aggregate  memloership 
of  953. 

The  session  of  1871  was  held  with  the  Clear  Creek 
church,  beginning  the  28tli  of  September.  K.  G,  Hew- 
lett preached  the  introductory  sermon  from  John  9 : 4. 
The  moderator  and  clerk  of  the  session  of  the  year  be- 
fore were  re-elected,  and  C.J.  Burgess,  of  Clear  Creek 
church,  elected  treasurer.  Providence,  Centre  Hill,  and 
Pleasant  Ridge  churches  were  received  into  their  fellow- 
ship, making  a  fraternity  of  sixteen  churches  in  the 
second  year  of  the  existence  of  the  Association.  James 
Nelson,  of  the  Board  of  Education  of  the  State  Conven- 
tion, and  A.  A.  Lomax,  financial  secretary  of  Missis- 
sipjn  College,  were  with  them.  The  Executive  Board 
was  authorized  to  receive  and  disburse  funds  raised  for 
Ministerial  Education.  The  sum  of  v$22.75  was  raised 
in  cash  for  Alississippi  College. 

Prof.  A.J.  Ouinchc,  in  his  letter  of  correspondence, 
tells  us  that  the  churches  received  that  year  In-  bap- 
tism 122  persons,  and  bj'-  letter  97.     The  next  session 


936  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

of  the  body  was  to  be  held  with  the  Mt.  Gilead  ehiirch, 
^even  miles  southwest  of  Water  Valley. 

The  following  year,  among  their  distinguished  vis- 
itors were  M.  P.  Lowrey  from  the  Tippah  Association, 
and  C.  E.  Brame,  of  West  Point,  District  Secretary  of 
the  State  Sunday  School  Board.  M.  P.  Lowrey,  by 
request,  preached  the  introductory  sermon.  Prof.  M.  T. 
Martin  was  also  recognized  as  representing  the  interest 
of  Mississippi  College. 

The  cause  of  Sunday  schools  was  benefited  by  the 
presence  of  C.  E.  Brame.  It  was  recommended  that 
special  effort  be  made  to  organize  a  Sunday  school  in 
each  church,  that  co-operation  with  the  State  Sunday- 
school  Board  be  effected,  and  that  an  Associational 
Sunday-school  Convention  be  organized.  A  cash  col- 
lection was  taken  for  this  object,  amounting  to  $13.45, 
and  pledges  amounting  to  $32.50. 

The  report  on  Ministerial  Education  was  read  by 
R.  G.  Hewlett.  It  closed  with  this  sentence:  "Your 
committee  is  of  the  opinion  that  Clinton  is  the  place 
ior  the  education  of  ^Mississippi  ministers."  A  cash 
collection  was  taken  for  Ministerial  Education,  amount- 
ing to  $12.80,  and  pledges  received  to  the  amount  of 
$282.00  to  aid  H.  W.  Rockett  and  S.  P.  Williams  at 
Mississippi  College.  That  \'ear  the  Association  aided 
H.  W.  Rockett  to  the  amount  of  $74.10,  and  S.  P.  Wil- 
liams to  $86.30. 

The  Executive  Board  made  an  effort  to  begin  work 
in  the  bounds  of  the  Association,  T.  R.  Williams  was 
emplo3'ed  as  their  missionary,  l)ut  his  health  was  too 
poor  to  begin  the  work.  No  one  could  be  gotten  to 
ride  as  missionary  for  them,  and,  consequently  no  work 
was  done.  It  WciS  resolved  that  the  Executive  Board 
be  instructed  to  take  under  consideration  the  subject 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  937 

of  renewing  the  mission  as  conducted  Ijy  the  old  I^anola 
Association  among  the  Indians. 

At  the  session  of  1873,  R.  G.  Hewlett  was  made 
moderator,  which  honor  he  retained  until  1876.     In 

1876,  W.  Dupuy  was  elected  to  fill  the  position.    In 

1877,  R.  G.  Hewlett  was  again  moderator,  holding  the 
Ijosition  to  1880.  In  1880,  Z.  T.  Leavell  was  chosen 
to  preside  over  the  body.  He  was  succeeded  the  follow- 
ing year  by  A.J.  Quinche,  who  held  the  position  one 
more  year.  In  1883,  R.  G.  Hewlett  was  moderator 
again,  and  was  in  the  chair  one  more  j-ear. 

R.  G.  Hewlett  gave  the  best  years  of  his  life  to  the 
promotion  of  the  interests  of  the  Oxford  Association. 
He  loved  his  association,  and  spared  no  pains  to  make 
its  meetings  successful.  For  a  few  years  he  was  in  Ar- 
kansas, where  he  was  connected  with  the  Mt.  Vernon 
Association.  R.  G.  Hewlett  was  doctrinal  in  his 
preaching  and  positive  in  his  denominational  teachings. 
He  was  naturally  of  a  calcukiting  mind,  and  logical  in 
sermons.  He  was  for  twent^^-nine  years  pastor  of  the 
Clear  Creek  church,  eight  miles  west  of  Oxford,  of 
Yocona  four  years,  and  of  Pleasant  Ridge  and  Con- 
cord seven  years,  each. 

The  Executive  Board  was  still  unable  in  1873  to 
secure  a  missionary  to  labor  in  their  l)ounds,  Ijut 
handled  $79.00  for  the  Domestic  Board  at  Marion, Ala. 
and  about  $360.00  for  Ministerial  Education,  which 
was  expended  upon  H.  \V.  Rockett,  and  S.  P.  Williams 
while  in  Mississippi  College. 

The  report  on  Puljlications  recommended  The  Bap- 
tist of  Memphis,  also  Kind  Words,  the  Home  and  For 
eign  Journal,  and  the  Orphan's  Home  Banner. 

The  session  of  1874  was  held  with  the  Clear  Creek 
church.     W.  D.  Mayfield  of  Memphis,  Tenn.,  preached 


938  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

the  introductory  sermon.  Along  with  him,  the  Asso- 
ciation had  as  guests,  Daniel  King  of  California,  and 
M.  T.  Martin  of  Mississippi  College.  It  is  noticable 
that  J.  L.  Johnson  was  that  year  in  the  body,  and 
while  not  reported  among  the  delegates  from  the  Oxford 
church,  was  placed  on  the  Executive  Board,  and  was 
made  chairman  of  the  standing  committee  on  Foreign 
missions.  The  name  of  Dr.  M.  W.  Phillips  also  ap- 
peared on  the  minutes  of  that  A-ear  for  the  first  time. 

Alinisterial  Education  was  still  held  in  high  favor 
b\'  the  Association.  A  collection  was  taken  in  1874 
for  this  cause  amounting  in  cash  and  subscriptions  to 
$123.00.  There  Avere  then  fifteen  churches  in  the  fra- 
ternit3^  with  a  total  membership  of  954-. 

In  1875,  two  more  churches  were  received  into  the 
union.  New  Prospect  and  Pope.  D.  J.  Burgess  was 
clerk,  and  J.  A.  Thornton,  treasurer.  Their  ordained 
ministers  were.  R.  G.  Hewlett,  J.  B.  Gambrell,  J.  L. 
Johnson,  S.  D.  Johns,  T.  R.  Williams,  T.  H.  Moore,  D. 
Dupuy,  J.J.  Saw3^er,  John  Collins,  W.  Johnson,  H.  W. 
Rockett,  and  W.  K.  BrA^ant. 

It  was  resolved  that  the  Executive  Board  be  in- 
structed to  employ  a  missionary  to  labor  in  their 
bounds  for  five  months  and  the  churches  requested  to 
decide  at  their  first  conference  what  thej'  will  give  for 
his  support.  A.  J.  Ouinche  was  chairman  of  the  Board, 
and  J.  B.  Gambrell,  secretary.  T.  H.  Smith  had  been 
at  Spring  Dale.  He  was  to  get  $125.00  as  salary  for 
one-fourth  of  his  time.  He  served  seven  months.  It 
was  said  that  their  was  much  flestitution  in  their 
bounds,  awaiting  missionary  effort.  Heart\'  co-opera- 
tion with  the  State  Mission  Board  was  recommended. 

D.  J.  Burgess  was  elected  clerk  of  the  Association 
from  1875  to  1884,  inclusive.  J.  A.  Thornton  was 
treasurer  from  1875  to  1884. 


HISTORY    OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  939 

The  session  of  1876  met  with  the  church  at  Watcr 
Valley.  The  Clear  Creek  ehurch,  for  some  re^ison,  sent 
a  number  of  queries  to  the  Association  in  its  dehbera- 
tions.  One  ((uer^'  was  as  to  what  course  should  be 
pursued  with  members  of  the  church  that  participate 
in  the  modern  dance;  the  other  in  essence  as  to  the 
Scriptural  authority  of  "inter-communionism"  at  the 
Lord's  Sup])er  l^etween  members  of  different  churches 
of  the  same  faith  and  order.  A  committee  raised  a  re- 
port on  these  cjueries,  with  J.  B.  Gambrell  as  chairman, 
advised  that  all  members  jjuilty  of  en^^ai^in^- in  the  mod- 
ern dance  should  l)e  admonished  and  publicly  rel)vdved, 
and,  if  thcA'  persist,  be  excluded  from  the  church.  As  to 
''non-intercommunionism,"  it  was  replied  that  the  Bi- 
ble was  silent  as  to  it.  But  a  person  known  to  be  a 
baptized  believer,  and  a  member  of  a  Bajjtist  church  in 
good  standing,  might  rightly  be  invited  t(5  partake  of 
the  Lord's  Supper. 

Their  interest  in  Ministerial  Education  was  kept  up 
by  the  fact  that  they  still  had  a  young  minister  seeking 
to  prepare  himseli  for  ministerial  efficiency.  W.  K. 
Bryant  was  a  young  minister  attending  school  at  Tay- 
lor's Depot.  A  collection  in  cash  and  subscrijition  was 
taken  for  his  benefit  amounting  to  $39.35. 

The  Executive  Board  made  an  effort  to  put  a  mis- 
sionary in  the  bounds  of  the  Association,  but  could  not 
realize  the  money  to  pay  his  salary.  The  lack  of  con- 
fidence was  the  reason  assigned  tor  this  failure,  and  co- 
ojjcration  with  the  State  Mission  Board  was  suggested 
to  strengthen  their  "confidence  and  hope." 

Their  eighth  annual  session  was  held  with  the  Yel- 
low Leaf  church,  beginning  Oct.  5,  1877.  Z.  T.  Leavell, 
then  pastor  at  Oxford,  was  sustained  in  a  motion  to 
have  a  report  from  a  connnittec  on  State  missions.    He 


940  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

was  made  chairman  of  the  committee.  The  report  was 
discussed  by  J.  L.  Johnson  and  T.  J.  Wahie,and  a  collec- 
tion in  cash  taken  amounting  to  $70. 15, and  a  subscrip- 
tion of  $355.00.  That  was  something  new  and  re- 
freshing. 

"The  Evils  of  the  Use  of  Tobacco,"  was,  at  that 
time,  a  fruitful  source  of  contention.  This  subject  was 
mainly  agitated  b\'  R.  G.  Hewlett,  who  strenuously 
opposed  the  use  of  the  weed.  J.  L.  Johnson  pleaded 
that  the  use  of  tobacco  was  harmless  to  the  system  and 
year  by  year  the  subject  came  up  for  discussion,  R.  G. 
Hewlett  made  the  argument  that  the  habit  was  not 
only  expensive,  but  useless.  J.  L.  Johnson  asked  him 
why  he  wore  buttons  on  his  coat  behind,  if  he  were  so 
strenuously  opposed  to  the  useless.  At  one  session  of 
the  Association  the  subject  was  all-absorbing,  but  the 
men  in  Lafayette  County  are  still  chewing  and  smoking 
tobacco.  It  is  sometimes  difficult  to  persuade  a'  child 
toc:.asethe  useless  habit  of  sucking  its  thumb,  and 
men  are  only  boys  grown  up,  and  sometimes  none  the 
■^viser  for  the  growing. 

J.  L.  Johnson  made  the  report  on  Publications  in 
1877,  in  which  he  said  we  had  "set  up  housekeeping 
for  ourselves  in  the  newspaper  business,''  and  com- 
mended the  new  venture,  the  Mississippi  Baptist  Rec- 
ord published  at  Clinton.  J.  B.  Gambrell,  the  editor  of 
the  Record,  was  present,  and  made  the  argument  in  a 
speech  that  they  could  not  do  without  the  Record,  and 
the  i^ecorc/ could  not  do  without  them,  and  said  that 
the  mill  that  grinds  our  corn  is,  in  all  the  world,  the 
best  mill  to  us. 

The  following  year  the  Executive  Board  was  able 
to  report  some  work  done,  despite  their  listlessness  and 
extreme  caution.     T.  H.  Smith,  a  fine  representative  of 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  94-1 

tlic  numerous  Smith  family,  proposed  as  William  Carey 
to  go  to  work,  and  trust  his  brethren.  He  was  prom- 
ised by  the  Board  $50.00  a  month,  if  it  could  he  laisecL 
He  organized  two  churches,  Springport  and  Liberty' 
Hill,  traveled  788  miles,  preached  v55  sermons,  and 
baptized  27  persons.  The  sumof  $55.60  was  paid  him, 
and  at  the  Association,  after  several  good  speeches 
were  made,  a  collection  was  taken  for  this  cause, 
amounting  to  $35.40.  No  help  was  being  received 
from  the  State  Mission  Board. 

The  next  year  the  following  resolution  was  adopted: 

"Resolved,  by  the  Executive  Board  of  this  Associa- 
tion, that  every  pastor  in  the  Association  is  rec[uested 
to  ])reach  to  his  church  in  the  interest  of  mission  work 
within  their  limits  at  his  earliest  convenience."  The 
destitution  in  the  bounds  of  the  Association  was  really 
not  alarming,  and  the  churches  were  giving  hundreds 
of  dollars  to  State  missions. 

The  session  of  1880  w£is  interfered  with  by  inclem- 
ent weather.  The  attendance  was  not  large,  and  the 
services  of  Sunday  were  suspended,  as  it  rained  without 
ceasing  until  in  the  afternoon. 

The  discussion  on  an  amendment  to  the  report  on 
Sunday  schools  was  breezy  and  out  of  the  usual  vein. 
The  ainendment  made  by  J.  L.  Johnson  to  the  report 
to  arouse  the  Association  was  to  the  effect  that  the 
Association  did  not  approve  of  Sunday-school  work, 
and  that  the  report  on  the  subject  be  abolished  from 
the  list  of  committees.  Of  course,  this  amendment  was 
voted  down,  1)ut  it  had  a  good  effect,  as  Avas  designed. 
It  was  then  resolved  b^'  the  delegates  of  the  churches 
that  they  would  do  their  very  best  to  cstalilisli  Sundfiy 
schools  in  churches  which  had  none. 

There  were  then  seventeen  churches  in  the  fraternitv 


942  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

^vith  a  total  membership  of  1,075.  The  churches  re- 
ceived that  3'ear,  b}'  baptism,  the  aggregate  number  of 
97,  and  by  letter  81.  The  Oxford  church  had  received  32 
by  baptism,  and  10  by  letter.  The  writer,  then  pastor 
of  the  Oxford  church,  remembers  the  baptism  of  those 
32  persons,  as  it  was  in  the  month  of  January,  in  snow 
water. 

In  1881,  the  usual  reports  of  committees  were  re- 
ceived. The  report  on  Foreign  missions  was  unusual 
in  its  length  and  quite  exhaustive.  It  was  w^ritten  by 
R.  G.  Hewlett  and  was  full  of  information.  The  report 
on  Temperance  read  In^  H.J.  Smith  was  .scriptural  and 
scientific,  and  covered  a  page  of  the  Minutes  of  the 
session.  The  report  on  Foreign  missions  had  attached 
a  foot-note,  which  showed  what  three  churches  had 
^ven  that  associational  year  for  Foreign  missions: 
Mt.  Gilead'gave  $8.00,  Water  Valley  $18.00,  and  Ox- 
ford $100.00.  The  total  amount  reported  for  Foreign 
missions  was  $$226.00. 

After  the  discussion  of  the  report  on  State  missions, 
pledges  were  taken  for  that  object,  amounting  to 
$500.00.  This  showing  was  good,  and  one  feels  a 
sense  of  regret  that  a  disposition  w^as  being  engendered 
to  dissolve  the  bod^-,  progressing  so  nicely  in  the  devel- 
opment of  the  missionary  spirit. 

But  the  following  year  a  committee  was  appointed 
consisting  of  three  members  of  the  body  to  take  under 
consideration  the  advisabilit}^  of  a  union  of  the  Oxford 
and  the  Yolobusha  associations.  The  committee  con- 
sisted of  H.  J.  Smith,  R.  G.  Hewlett  and  J.  L.  Johnson. 
The  committee  reported  favorable  to  consolidation  of 
the  two  associations,  and  recommended  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  committee  of  five  to  attend  the  next  session 
of  the  Yalobusha  to  propose  a  union  of  the  two.     The 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  943 

report  was  adopted  without  diseiission,  and  it  seemed 
that  the  work  was  done. 

The  main  argument  for  the  i)r()p()sed  union  was 
that  the  Oxford  was  weak  in  ministerial  strength. 
Three  or  four  of  the  members  of  the  l)ody  had  to  discuss 
all  subjects,  and  were  constantly  on  the  floor.  It  be- 
came monotonous  and  was  arduf)us  work  for  the 
speakers,  as  they  must  make  three  or  four  speeches  a 
da}'. 

But  it  appears  that,  though  the  matter  was  unani- 
mously decided  in  the  Association,  the  churches  thought 
otherwise  about  the  consolidation.  As  the  year  was 
passing  away,  they  became  fixed  in  their  determination 
to  continue  the  existence  of  the  Association,  the  Oxford 
church  excepted.  So  the  Oxford  church  met  with  the 
Bethany  Association  in  1883. 

In  the  j'ear  1883,  there  was  a  lengthy  discussion  of 
the  proposed  union,  in  which  \V.  K.  Bryant,  J.  R.  Boze- 
man,  A.J.  Quinche,  K.  G.  Hewlett,  W.  T.  Hudson,  and 
W.  C.  Lattimore  participated.  FinaWy,  it  was  agreed 
to  send  a  letter  to  the  Yalobusha  Association,  when  in 
session,  in  which  to  inform  that  bod}-  that  they  did 
not  deem  the  ])roposed  consolidation  best.  The  Yalo^ 
busha  Association  got  the  Oxford  church,  but  the  Ox- 
ford Association  held  the  name  of  that  church,  and 
pursued  its  course  as  best  it  could.  The  reasons  for 
this  bit  of  flirtation  with  the  sober  Yalobusha  have 
not  been  put  on  ])aper. 

The  fifteenth  annual  session  of  the  body  was  held 
with  the  Yellow  Leaf  church,  lieginning  Sei)tend)er  11, 
1884.  S.  R.  Lamb  was  chosen  moderator,  Dan  J.  Bui'- 
gess,  clerk,  and  C.Crosby,  treasurer.  The  Cold  Springs 
church  was  received  into  the  Association. 

A  short  historical  sketch  was   <dven  that  vear,  in 


944  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

the  Minutes,  of  the  Clear  Creek  ehurch.  In  it  the  state- 
ment was  made  that  the  church  was  constituted  in 
1842,  and  in  forty-two  years  had  only  three  pastors. 
It  belonged  to  the  Panola  Association  from  1843  to 
1865,  to  the  Cold  Water  to  1870,  and  from  that  date 
to  the  Oxford.  It  is  hoped  the  good  old  church  will 
wnsh  more  than  this  much  given  of  its  histor}'. 

Despite  its  reverses,  the  Oxford  Association  had,  in 
1885,  sixteen  churches  in  its  union,  ^vhich  had  an  ag- 
gregate of  981  members.  Sevent3^-six  were  received  by 
baptism  that  year  and  forty-six  b}^  letter.  The  pastors 
of  the  churches  were:  C.  C.  Greer,  H.  W.  Rockett,  R.  G. 
Hewlett,  G.  W.  Hollowell,  W.  I.  Hargis,  W.  M.  Far- 
mer, M.  G.  Leatherwood,  J.  H.  CoUins,  R.  K  Webb, 
H.  J.  Legge,  and  C.  W.  Smith.  The  Association  met 
that  year  with  the  church  at  Courtland,  S.  R.  Lamb 
being  moderator,  D.  J.  Burgess,  clerk,  and  E.  G.  Leigh, 
treasurer. 

Tlie  Executive  Board  in  18.^6  was  again  unfortun- 
ate in  its  failure  to  realize  a  sufficiency  of  money  to  se- 
cure an  efficient  missionary.  The^^  wished  the  services 
of  R.  G.  Hewlett,  but  as  they  could  secure  pledges  for 
only  $800.00,  he  could  not  give  the  time  they  wished 
for  that  sum  of  money.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Associa- 
tion various  jjlans  w^ere  suggested  for  carrvdng  on  their 
work,  but  something  more  than  plans  is  necessary  in 
doing  missionary  work. 

During  the  sittmg  of  the  body  the  sum  of  $111.00 
was  pledged  to  Foreign  missions,  and  $126.00  to  State 
missions.  The  churches  reported  $112.75  given  to 
Foreign  missions  during  the  associational  year,  and 
$93.50  to  State  misvsions,  with  a  grand  total  of  contri- 
butions to  all  objects  of  $2,401.96. 

In  1887,  the  Association  met   with  the  church  at 


J 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  945^ 

Water  \'alley.  J.  W.  Hig-^inl)othain  was  elected  mod- 
erator, J.  H.  Collins,  clerk,  and  E.  G.  Lei^-h,  treasurer. 
The  Bi<;  Springs  church  was  received  into  the  union. 

The  principal  item  of  business  that  year  was  the 
reception  of  a  resolution  sent  to  the  Association  by  the 
church  at  Oxford.  The  resolution  made  it  ])lain  that 
the  Oxford  church  had  a  reason  forgoing  to  the  Yalo- 
busha Association,  and  had  acted  upon  the  resolution 
of  the  joint  committee  at  the  twf)  bodies  to  form  a  con- 
solidation, and  expressed  regrets  that  its  relation  to- 
the  churches  of  the  Oxford  Association  had  been  dis- 
solved, with  a  desire  that  the  churches  of  the  Oxford 
Association  could  see  the  way  to  co-operation  with 
them.  J.  L.  Johnson  and  G.  \V.  Leavell,  of  the  Oxford 
church,  were  with  them. 

At  the  proper  time  the  resolution  was  earefulh- con- 
sidered. Speeches  were  made  l)y  J.  IT  Edwards,  pastor 
at  Oxford,  R.  G.  Hewlett,  John  Powell,  of  Grenada,  W. 
8.  Webb,  of  Clinton,  and  J.  L.  Johnson.  It  was  re- 
solved to  re((uest  the  churches  of  the  Association  to. 
vote  on  the  (juestion  of  sending  delegates  to  the  Yalo- 
busha-Oxford .\ssociatioh,  and  disl)and  the  Oxford  As- 
sociation, and  to  report  to  the  clerk  of  the  Association 
as  soon  as  the  vote  was  taken.  The  churches  voted 
against  consolidation. 

The  following  year  W.  I.  Hargis  offered  the  follow- 
ing l^reamble  and  resolutions  on  the  subject: 

WnKKK.vs,  the  Oxford  church,  formerly  a  memljer  of" 
this  bo(l\',  and  for  reasons  well  known  to  the  Associa- 
tion, severed  her  connection  with  this  bod\-,  and  joined 
the  Yalobusha  Association,  and 

IF/jereas,  the  matter  of  union  l)etwcen  the  Oxford 
and  the  Yalobusha  Associations  is  settled  for  the  ])res- 
ent  and  perha])s  lorever,  therefore, 


946  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Resolved,  Tliat  \vc  cordially  invite  the  Oxford 
church  to  come  back  to  this  Association, 

Resolved  2,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be 
transmitted  to  the  Oxford  church  with  such  other  ex- 
planations as  may  be  necessary.  In  1890,  the  Oxford 
church  went  l3ack  to  the  Oxford  Association. 

In  1888,  the  Executive  Board  secured  the  services 
ot  H.  L.  Finley  to  do  missionary  and  colportage  work. 
No  better  selection  could  havebeen  made  in  that  part 
of  the  State.  He  is  one  of  the  most  successful  of  the 
colporters  we  have  had  emplo\'ed  in  the  State.  He 
•was  to  receive  a  salary  of  $300.00  lor  half  his  time,  the 
Association  and  the  State  Mission  Board  beainng 
-equalh'  the  expenses.  He  sold  26  Bibles,  30  Testa- 
ments, 285  books,  10,140  pages  of  tracts.  His  sales 
-amounted  to  $208.80.  He  preached  60  sermons,  made 
25  prayer  meeting  talks,  and  baptized  four  persons. 
The  Board  was  much  encouraged.  H.  L.Johnson  was 
president  of  the  Board  and  Z.  D.Jennings,  secretary. 

On  January  1 ,  1889,  H.  L.  Finley  was  employed 
for  all  his  time  as  missionary  and  colporter,  at  a  salary 
of  $600.00  a  vear,  the  State  Board  agreeing  to  pay 
$100.00  of  the  amount.  The  American  Baptist  Publi- 
'Cation  Society  presented  them  with  $100.00  worth  of 
books.  A  large  and  satisfactory  showing  of  work  was 
made  by  the  colporter,  who  realized  the  great  need  of 
the  work.  In  "the  crowning  day,''  H.  L.  Finley  will 
be  seen  at  his  true  value.  The  great  men  in  our  denom- 
ination in  the  State  liave  not  been  the  men  who  have 
been  seen  in  high  places,  and  in  demand  on  high  days, 
but  the  men  who  have  gone  in  the  highways  and 
hedges  with  the  Lord's  invitations.  The  reports  of  the 
Executive  Board  rcve^d  to  the  world  the  useful  men  of 
our  associiitions. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSirri     BAPTISTS.  94-7 

111  1S.S9,  Woman's  Work  was  well  rc.i^-anled  in  the 
Association.  Their  report  on  this  work  was  read  by 
W.  I.  Har-^is,  of  Oxford.  Mrs.  Rosa  Lei^li  reported  for 
the  societies  in  the  churches.  She  was  appointed  vice- 
president  for  Oxford  Association  one  year  before.  Then 
they  had  three  societies— at  Water  Valley,  Taylor,  and 
Courtland.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Association  they  had 
seven,  with  new  ones  at  Harrison,  Popes,  Good  IIoi)e, 
and  a  Sunbeam  Society  at  Water  Valley.  The  Good 
Hope  church  had  contributed  $11. (kl:  Taylor,  $71.50; 
Water  Valley  Sunbeams,  $10.00;  Popes,  $10.00;  Water 
Valley,  $130.00;   and  Courtland,  $70.50. 

The  session  of  1S90  was  held  in  the  Pilgrims  Rest 
church,  Panola  county.  E.  W.  Barton  was  chosen 
moderator.  The  introductory  sermon  was  i)reached  hy 
H.  W.  Rockett.  Along  with  the  Oxford  church,  the 
Batesville  and  Mt.  Pisgah  churches  were  also   received. 

In  1S90,  there  were  eighteen  churches  in  the  Asso- 
ciation with  an  aggregate  membership  of  1,000.  The 
Oxford  church  w^as  the  largest,  having  a  total  member- 
ship of  124.  Ten  Sunday  Schools  were  reported,  with 
an  average  attendance  of  306  pupils.  The  total  re- 
ceipts of  these  ten  Sunday  Schools  were  $132.44.  The 
ten  Sunday  Schools  were  all  reported  as  "evergreen.' 

The  Oxford  Association  w-as  moderate  but  positive 
on  the  question  of  intemperance.  R.  G.  Hewlett  was 
strenuously  opposed  to  the  use  of  tobacco,  and  did  all 
he  could  to  limit  its  c()nsum[)ti()n.  Some  men,  mem- 
bers of  the  churches  of  the  Oxford  Association,  in  vei\r 
limited  circum.>tanee  >,  c  >  ifessed  to  him  that  their  an- 
nual tobacco  bill  was  l)etween  $30.00  and  $40.00. 
Yet  they  had  almost  nothing  for  benevolence. 

The  report  on  Temperance  was,  in  1.S91,  read  by  E. 
L.  Wesson,  then  pastor  at  Water  Valley.     He  said:  "If 


948  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

we  follow  the  scriptural  rule,  we  must,  as  Christians^ 
stop  drinking-  at  all  as  a  lieverage,  and,  as  churches, 
must  discipline  tor  the  drinking,  and  for  assisting  in  the 
sale  of  intoxicants.''  From  the  report  of  1893,  made 
b\^  Judge  P.  H.  Lowrey,  we  take  these  two  sentences: 
"We  ask  and  urge  this  Association  to  consider  this 
question — Should  not  a  church  deal  with  a  member 
who  drinks  moderately,  as  it  does  with  the  member 
who  drinks  t(i  drunkenness?''  In  1894,  a  very  able  re- 
port came  from  the  pen  of  Judge  B.  T,  Kimbrough, 
w^hich  was  requested  for  puljlication  in  the  Bfiptist  Re- 
cord. 

From  the  report  on  Total  Abstinence,  of  1895,  read 
by  A.  A.  Lomax,  ptistor  at  Batesville,  we  take  these 
words:  "Every  consideration,  therefore,  of  health  and 
wealth,  of  prosperity  and  peace,  of  conduct  and  charac- 
ter, Ijoth  for  self  and  others,  impel  us  in  the  direction 
of  total  abstinence."'  These  quotations  suffice  to  show 
the  attitude  of  the  Oxford  Association  ».,n  the  (|uestion 
of  the  tem]3erance  reform. 

Their  reports  on  Pulilications  from  1890  to  1900 
were  uniform  in  their  recommendations.  The  publica- 
tions of  the  .\merican  Baptist  Publication  Society, 
Kind  Words,  Our  Home  Field,  the  Foreign  Mission 
Journal,  £ind  our  Baptist  State  papers  were  invariabh' 
recommended. 

Thev  succeeded  better  with  their  Sunday  School 
work  than  most  of  our  associations.  In  1891,  ten  out 
of  seventeen  of  their  churches  had  Sunday  Schools.  In 
1893,  six  out  of  twenty-one  churches  made  no  mention, 
of  having  a  Sunday  School.  The  following  year  the\' 
had  in  their  Sunday  Schools  477  pupils,  while  the 
churches  of  the  Association  had  a  total  of  1,541  mem- 
bers.    In    1895,    the    following    churches   had  Sundav 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  949 

Schools:  Bethany,  Burgess,  Clear  Creek,  Coiirtland, 
Oood  Hope,  Mt.  Pisj^-ah,  Oxford,  I'anola,  Pilfjrims 
Rest,  Shad}'  Grove,  Water  \'alley,  and  Vocona.  In 
1<S9S,  ten  churches  reported  Sunday  Schools,  with  an 
■enrollment  of  327,  whicli  liad  the  appearance  of  a  de- 
cline in  interest  in  this  work,  but  in  1900  they  had 
twelve  Sunday  Schools,  with  an  enrollment  of  600 
pupils. 

After  the  establishment  of  the  Alississipj^i  Baj^tist 
Orphanage  ?it  Jackson,  the  institution  received  their  at- 
tention annurdly.  In  1900,  the  report  on  the  subject 
was  spoken  to  by  A.  E.Jennings  "in  a  touching  man- 
ner," and  T.  J.  Bailey,  editor  of  The  Baptist,  "gave 
some  valuable  information  on  the  conduct  of  the  Or- 
])hanage."'  Woman's  Work  was  regarded  with  fine 
interest.  In  1S92,  Mrs.  Rose  Leigh,  of  Courtland,  re- 
tired from  the  vice-presidency  of  the  association,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Mrs.  Mattie  Leavell,  of  Oxford.  In 
1S94-,  there  were  societies  in  six  churches  of  the  associa- 
tion, Batesville,  Oxford,  Courtland,  Good  Hope,  Water 
Valley,  and  Burgess.  In  1897,  onh'  two  churches  re- 
])orted  societies.  In  the  report  of  the  Committee  on 
Woman's  Work  in  1900  by  X.  W.  P.  Bacon  it  is  saitl : 
""We  would  urge  upon  all  our  pastors  the  great  import- 
iince  of  having  a  Woman's  Missionarv  Societv  in  every 
one  of  our  churches." 

.\nnually,  reports  were  made  on  education.  InlS91, 
R..\.  Venal)le,  then  ]jresi(lent  of  Mississippi  College,  was 
with  them,  and  discussed  the  report  on  the  college.  He 
said,  "The  object  of  education  is  to  develoi),  and  no 
system  of  education  is  effectual  unless  it  develops  the 
nature.  He  is  wise  who  decides  on  an  education  at  all 
hazards.  The  greatest  need  of  Mississipi)i  College  is 
the  i^rayers  of  Christians;  then  your  influence  and  your 
nionev."     He  said  manv  other  wise  thinsrs. 


950  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  reports  on  the  colle^^e  were  usually  long-  and 
full,  and  were  well  diseussed  by  their  best  men,  such  as 
P.  H.  Lowrey,  R.  M.Leavell,  E.  L.  Wesson,  G.W.  Gard- 
ner, J.  A.  Lee,  H.  W.  Roekett,  H.  L.  Johnson,  W.  I. 
Hargis  and  others. 

Their  reports  of  Home  ^md  Foreign  missions  were 
full  of  information  as  to  the  work  of  the  home  and  for- 
eign fields.  Their  Executive  Board  in  this  period  was 
a  part  of  the  time  active  and  useful.  They  were  in 
thorough  sympathy  wath  the  w^ork  of  State  Missions. 

In  1891,  an  effort  was  made  to  place  W.  I.  Hargis 
in  thj  field  as  their  missionary'.  Failing  to  secure  him, 
they  endeavored  to  persuade  H.  L.  Johnson  to  take  the 
work.  Finally  \V.  P.  Winter  was  placed  in  the  field. 
He  was  energetic  and  faithful  in  his  labors.  He  trav- 
eled 1,200  miles,  preached  89  sermons,  distrilDvted 
1,904  pages  of  tracts,  and  baptized  seven  persons,  The 
churches  gave  that  year  to  missions  $483.49,  all  of 
them  reporting  contributions  to  missions  except  three. 
The  following  year  they  gave  to  missions  $638.97,  all 
the  churches  contriljuting  but  two. 

In  1893,  W.  I.  Hargis  labored  as  missionary-  in  the 
noithern  part  of  the  association  one-fourth  of  his  time 
at  a  salary  of  $125.00.  J.  A.  Lee,  W.  P.  Winter,  and 
H.  L.  Johnson  also  did  some  work  for  the  Executive 
Board.  That  year  the  churches  gave  $707.62  to  mis- 
sions, and  $36.00  on  the  Jackson  church  debt.  The  fol- 
lowing year  it  was  agreed  that  their  missionctrles  be 
employed  by  the  Convention  Board  in  conjunction  with 
their  Executive  Board.  This  action  esta1)lished  the 
closest  relations  between  them  and  the  convention. 

We  see  that  in  1895  their  churches  gave  to  Foreign 
missions  $172.48,  to  State  missions  $161.85,  and  to 
Home  missions  $97.77.     In  1900  they  gave  to  Foreign 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSII'I'I     HAI'TISTS.  951 

missions  $34-1). (U,  to  State  missions  $317.95,  nnd  to 
Home  missions  v$175.Sl.  These  figures  show  a  gratify- 
ing inerease  in  interest  in  all  their  missionary  work. 

Their  moder^itors  between  1890  and  1900  were  I*. 
H.  Lowrey  in  1891,  H.  \V.  Koekett  from  1892  to  1894 
inclusive,  S.  K.  Laml)  lrom'1895  to  1897,  inclusive,  and 
W.  I.  Hargis  from  1898  to  the  close  of  the  century. 
Their  clerks  were  S.  K.  Whitten  in  1891,  W.  I.  Hargis 
in  1892,  D.  C.  Perkins  in  1893,  A.T.  Bobo  in  1894  and 
1895,  D.  C.  Perkins  in  1896,  A.  T.  Bobo  in  1897,  J.  D. 
Peacock  from  1898  to  1900  inclusive.  Their  treasurers 
were  E.G.  Leigh  from  1891  to  1890,  J.  M.  Tatum  from 
1896  to  1900,  and  S.  R.  Lamb  in  1900. 

In  1891,  there  were  twenty  churches  in  the  associa- 
tion, with  1,165  members.  In  1895,  they  had  twenty- 
one  churches,  with  1,533  members.  In  1900,  they  had 
twenty-live  churclies,  with  1,634.  By  this  showing: 
their  churches  had  an  increase  of  469  members  in  ten 
years. 

The  existence  of  the  Oxford  Association  has  been 
checkered.  It  has  been  able  to  keep  some  strong  men 
all  the  while,  who  have  administered  its  affairs  wiseh' 
and  steered  it  over  some  rough  places.  It  is  at  present 
among  our  l^est  associations,  in  a  growing  condition, 
and  with  a  1)right  future  licfore  it.  May  tlie  great 
Director  of  all  Iniman  affairs  continue  his  l)lessingsu])on 
them. 


S52  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER   XXIX. 

nOfVrE    CHITTO   ASSOCIATION. 

The  Bogiie  Chitto  was  organized  in  October,  1870, 
ofchtirclies  along  the  Bogue  Chitto  nver.  It  was  com- 
posed of  sixteen  churches.  Six  of  these  churches  were 
from  the  I'earl  river,  one  from  the  Mississippi  and  quite 
a  number  from  Washington  parish.  La.  The  churches 
from  the  Pearl  i-iver  were  Mt.  Herman,  Union,  Silver 
Creek,  SmA'rna,  Alt.  Moriah  and  Mt.  Zion.  The  Tangi- 
pahoa church  was  from  the  Mississippi.  The  other 
churches  were  Beulah,  Mt.  Nebo,  Spring  Creek,  Shady 
Grove,  Half  Moon  Bluft;  Bethel,  Sharon,  Mt.  Pisgah 
and  M oak's  Creek.  Two  of  these  churches  were  very 
old.  The  Tangipahoa  church  was  received  into  the 
Mississippi  in  1811,  and  the  Half  Moon  Bluft'in  1812. 
The  Half  Moon  Bluff  went  into  the  constitution  of  the 
Pearl  river  in  1820,  and  remained  some  years  with 
that  bodv  before  going  to  an  Association  in  Louisiana. 

The  leading  ministers  in  the  organization  of  the 
body  wereW.  H.  Schilling, B.  A.Crawford,  E.  M.  Schil- 
ling, C.  F.  Crawford  and  W.  J.  Fortenberry.  They 
^^•ere  doubtless  induced  to  form  the  body  because  of  the 
oreat  distance  the  delegates  must  travel  over  going  to 
the  existing  bodies.  These  churches  were  in  a  good 
countr^^  and  composed  of  a  correct  memlicrship.  The 
•territory  is  in  the  long  leaf  pine  region,  but  is  not  pre- 
.<;ipitous.    The  land  yields  to  vigorous  cultivation,  pro- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  953 

ducing  good  crops.  The  writer  has  had  the  pleasure 
of  being  with  the  people  in  the  heart  of  this  territory, 
and  found  them  in  comfortal^le  circumstances.  Their 
homes  are  not  palatial,  but  sufficiently  commodious 
and  well  kept.  They  care  more  to  be  correct  in  life  than 
for  gewgaws  and  tinsel.  They  are  interested  in  educa- 
tion and  support  well  their  high  schools. 

In  1871,  the  bod}'  was  prepared  for  business  after 
electing  Elder  C.  F.  Crawford,  Moderator,  J.  G.  Leggett, 
Clerk,  and  John  Simmons,  Treasui^er.  The  churches 
that  year  had  1,872  members.  Nine  churches  were  re- 
ceived, viz.:  New  Zion,  Terry's  Creek,  Bogue  Chitto, 
Salem  and  Friendship  of  Pike  county;  Vernon  and  Mt. 
Pleasant,  of  Lincoln,  and  Mars  Hill,  of  Amite  county, 
Miss.,  and  New  Hope,  of  Tangipahoa  parish,  La.  Cor- 
respondence was  entered  into  with  the  Mississippi,  the 
Pearl  River,  Eastern  Louisiana,  Hobolochitto.  the  Mis- 
sissippi River,  and  the  Union  associations,  and  also 
with  the  Baptist  State  Convention.  Elder  James  Nel- 
son, secretary  of  the  Board  of  Ministerial  Education  of 
the  convention,  ^vas  present.  Committees  reported  on 
Ministerial  Education,  Ministerial  sup])()rt,  Sunday 
school  and  Bible  revision. 

After  the  sermon  preached  on  Sunday  by  James 
Nelson,  a  collection  was  taken  tor  associational  mis- 
sions, amounting  to  $78.25  in  cash  and  $371.50  in 
pledges.  This  gave  the  new  organiziition  a  good  stand- 
ing as  a  working  body.  Five  union  meetings  were  ap- 
pointed to  be  held  in  the  ensuing  year:  P'^irst  at  Bogue 
Chitto  church  in  October,  second  cit  Spring  Creek  in 
December',  third  at  Aloak's  Creek,  fourth  at  Silver 
Creek,  and  fifth  at  Tangi])idioa  church.  Mississippi 
College  was  warmly  indorsed  and  especiidly  recom- 
mended to  vounu-  ministers  wishin^r  a  collcLiiate  course. 


954  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Eacli  church  was  ur<yefl  to  hold  a  missionary  meeting- 
in  July  of  each  year,  and  collections  to  l^e  taken  for  the 
P'oreign  Mission  Board,  and  the  Foreign  Mission  Jour- 
nal was  recommended  to  the  patronage  of  the  l5od3\ 
The  Bnptist,  published  at  Memphis,  was  commended 
as  sound  and  scriptural. 

They  had  a  fine  beginning.  It  marked  high  in  its 
list  of  benevolence  and  showed  a  most  commendable 
spirit.  It  had  a  fine  field  of  operation  and  seemed  to 
assume  its  duties  with  a  willing  hand.  There  was  des- 
titution in  their  bounds,  and  a  missionary  Avas  put  into 
the  field  at  once.  C.  F.  Crawford  had  baptized  thir- 
teen and  organized  one  church  at  the  close  of  the  first 
3'ear  ot  the  life  of  the  union. 

The  association,  of  1S72,  met  with  the  Alt.  Zion 
church  on  the  26th  of  October.  The  place  of  meeting 
was  in  FHke  county  and  near  the  center  of  its  territory. 
Pleasant  Hill,  a  newly  constituted  church,  was  added 
to  the  union.  The  Bogue  Chitto  received  correspond- 
ence with  two  new  associations,  the  West  Pearl  River 
and  the  Fair  River.  We  find  that  the  West  Pearl  River 
kept  up  correspondence  with  the  Bogue  Chitto  to  1884. 
S.  S.  Ralyea  and  M.  T.  Martin  were  at  this  meeting. 
Each  of  these  great  men  had  a  well-defined  purpose  in 
life  and  the  energy  and  will  power  to  succeed.  M.  T. 
Martin  was  the  indefatigable  financial  agent  of  Missis- 
sippi College,  and  was  contributing  his  best  days  to 
the  pecuniary  interests  of  that  \vorthy  institution  of 
learning.  Prodigious  were  his  labors  and  his  activit^^ 
almost  beyond  belief.  S.  S.  Ralyea  was  the  strong  pro- 
moter of  the  General  Association  of  Southern  Missis- 
sippi and  Eastern  Louisiana,  which,  in  the  ]3rcvious 
April,  had  held  its  second  session  at  Jackson,  Louisiana. 
The  meeting  was   highly  gratifjang  to  him.     His  hope 


1 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS  955 

"was  to  form  a  strong;  Ixxly  ot  several  assoeiations  for 
the  edueational  and  spiritual  edifieation  of  the  Baptists 
in  a  vast  area  of  eonntry  in  South  Mississii)pi  find  that 
]jart  of  Louisiana  east  of  the  Mississippi  river.  It  does 
not  appear  that  he  desired  to  eonfliet  with  the  institu- 
tions fostered  by  the  State  Convention,  for  he  aeted  as 
ehainn/ni  of  a  eomniittee  on  Mississi]0]:)i  College  at  one 
of  the  meetint^s  of  the  Pearl  River,  and  i)resented  a 
splendid  re]3ort. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  just  here  to  briny'  under  eo.u- 
nizanee  the  j^osition  of  the  Boyue  Chitto  on  missionarv 
endeavor.  Some  of  the  ehureheswere  lar^j^e  in  numbers. 
Silver  Creek  had  21 S  members,  Boj^ue  Chitto  23(),  and 
New  Zion,  the  ehureh  to  whieh  Willis  J.  P\)rtenl)errv 
belon<^ed,  173.  The  churehes  eomposing  the  body  had 
a  total  of  2,103  members.  How  should  all  these  ])eo- 
ple  be  direeted?  The  Mission  Board  of  the  ])reeeding 
year  was  continued  and  four  strong-  men  added  to  it, 
viz:  James  A.  Jenkins,  Z.  E.  P.  Williams,  W.J.  Price 
and  A.J.Everett.  It  was  recommended  that  missionarv 
collections  be  taken  and  the  cash  forwarded  to  this 
Board.  Immediately  u])on  the  passaw'e  of  this  resolu- 
tion a  cash  collection  was  taken  of  $63.25.  The  report 
of  the  Missionary  Board  shows  that  $240.06  was  col- 
lected during'  theassociational  year  for  missionarv  pur- 
poses. 

The  spiritual  condition  of  the  churches,  as  shown  in 
the  report  on  that  subject,  was  not  by  any  means  yrat- 
ifyiny'  to  some.  It  is  said  some  of  the  churches  were  in 
a  stateol  letliaryy,  and  more  interest  in  ])rayer  meeting;' 
and  Sunday  school  was  recommended  as  a  remedy  for 
the  evil.  The  holding'  ot  re.yular  ])rayer  meetinys  was 
sui^yested.  It  was  a  matter  of  coni^ratulation  that 
some  of  the  churches  had  large  and  prosperous  Sunday 


956  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

schools,  and  the  fullest  support  given  to  this  work. 
The  appreh^*nsion  was  indulged  that  the  Baptist  State 
Convention  was  about  to  permit  the  Orphans"  Home 
at  Lauderdale  Springs  transferred  to  the  superintend- 
ency  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  The  association  re- 
corded itself  as  much  opposed  to  such  a  transfer.  The 
resolutions  passed  on  this  subject  go  to  show  the  cor- 
rectness of  sentiment  held  b}'-  the  association.  The  life 
of  institutions  is  quite  much  as  the\^  start.  The  youth 
of  an  organization  is  as  the  yonth  of  a  human  being, 
but  a  forecast  of  the  future. 

The  body  of  1873  heard  with  delight  that  the  State 
Mission  Board  of  the  Convention  wished  the  co-opera- 
tion of  the  district  associations  in  evangelizing  the  des- 
titute parts  of  the  State,  and  the  Mission  Board  of  the 
body  was  instructed  to  correspond  with  the  State  Board 
on  the  subject.  The  State  Board  was  located  at  Hazle- 
hurst.  Not  only  were  they  correct  in  spirit,  but  they 
wished  also  to  be  correct  in  action.  The\' wished  to  aid 
in  the  evangelization  of  the  State.  Pastors  of  churches 
^Yere  persistently  urged  to  take  collections  for  mission- 
ary objects.  They  were  to  lead  their  flocks.  During 
the  year  the  Missionar3^  Board  had  C.  F.  Craw- 
ford in  the  held.  Each  church  was  asked  to  give  $25.00 
for  missions,  which  was  considered  a  very  modest  re- 
(juest. 

In  1874-  the  Zion  Grove  church  was  received  into 
the  organization.  This  church  was  in  Tangipahoa 
parish,  La.  The  West  Pearl  called  on  them  for  co-oper- 
ation in  mission  work,  which  was  rejidily  agreed  upon. 
There  was  n  magnanimity  shown  by  this  people,  ii  spon- 
taneity of  generous  sentiment  that  elicits  admiration. 
The  urgent  request  w^as  repeated  to  pastors  not  to  neg- 
lect the  missionarv  collection.     The  Alission  Board  was 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSII'PI     BAPTISTS.  Do  7 

authorized  to  buy  Testaments  to  be  distributed  in  des- 
titute plaees  on  the  borders  of  the  association.  The 
treasurer  of  the  union  was  instrueted  to  pay  the  mes- 
sengers sent  to  other  bodies  their  eompensation  in  ad- 
vance. During  this  year  the  name  of  the  Half  Moon 
Bluff  church  was  changed  to  Hay's  Creek.  That  is  to 
be  regretted.  The  church  was  one  of  the  oldest  in  Lou- 
isiana. For  sixty-three  years  it  had  carried  that  name. 
It  had  been  called  In'  it  in  three  associations  in  our 
State,  and  a  feeling  of  sadness  is  experienced  that  the 
strangely  sounding  old  name  is  to  be  lost  from  associa- 
tion a  1  records. 

The  association  in  1S85  was  composed  of  twenty- 
eight  churches,  which  had  a  total  membershi])  of  2,870. 
Seven  of  the  churches  had  each  over  100  members,  and 
two  of  them  over  200  each.  Bogue  Chitto  had  281 
members.  The  association  of  that  year  met  with  the 
Mar's  Hill  church,  Amite  count\',  a  church  that  was 
constituted  on  the  first  Sunday  in  June,  1815.  This 
seems  to  have  been  a  dark  year  with  the  union.  The 
churches  were  in  a  kd<e  warm  state  and  a  general 
apath\'  seemed  to  prevail.  Such  years  will  come.  It  is 
in  such  seasons  of  depression  that  the  soul  is  made  to 
look  to  "the  hills'' for  divine  favor.  There  were  no 
representations  from  the  convention  at  that  gathering 
and  no  report  was  made  on  Foreign  missions.  It  was 
sureh'  a  season  worthy  of  serious  thought.  But  we 
find  at  that  time  one  ho]jeful  sign.  The  old  resolutions 
on  ])urchasing  books  for  destitute  places  and  urging 
pastors  to  i)reach  on  the  subject  of  missions  were  reit- 
erated with  solemn  emi)hasis. 

The  following  year  the  face  of  affairs  wascom])letely 
changed.  We  find  many  familiar  names  on  the  jjages 
of  the  minutes.     One  feels  like  he  has  been  awakened 


958  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

from  a  troubled  dream  of  isolation  and  found  many 
laughing  friends  around  him.  There  is  the  name  of  A. 
Goss,  the  scholarly  itinerant,  whose  face  was  familiar 
in  those  days  in  the  I'earl  River,  the  Strong  River  and 
the  Mt.  Pisgah  associations.  O.  L.  Johnson,  strong  and 
true,  was,  of  course,  called  on  to  preach.  S.  S.  Ralyea 
and  E.  C.  Eager  were  there.  R.J.  Boone  was  a  dele- 
gate from  Bogue  Chitto  church.  He  is  one  of  the  best 
colporteurs  in  the  State  and  a  preacher  of  good  ability. 
S.  S.  Ralyea  represented  the  McComb  City  church,  which 
was  that  year  received  into  the  association.  Preamble 
and  resolutions  ^vere  passed  expressing  the  fact  that 
there  was  little  destitution  in  the  bounds  of  the  body, 
and  showing  a  readiness  "to  carr\^  the  war  into  Africa.'' 
Ball  Town  was  in  the  bounds  of  this  association.  It 
^vas  resolved  "that  the  ministers  of  this  association  be 
requested  to  visit  the  colored  churches  within  their 
reach  and  lay  the  matter  of  Foreign  missions  before 
them  and  solicit  a  contribution  from  them  to  the  sup- 
port of  Foreign  missions.''  Ministers  were  asked  to 
preach  on  missions  in  their  own  churches  and  take  col- 
lections for  Home  and  Foreign  missions,  and  the  Mis- 
sion Board  instructed  to  have  money  raised  for  Foreign 
missions,  to  be  appropriated  to  W.J.  David,  their  mis- 
sionary in  Africa. 

In  1877,  messengers  were  appointed  to  the  Baptist 
State  Convention,  viz:  B.  A.  Crawford,  T.  J.  Everett, 
J.  R.  Fnrish,  Z.  E.  P.  WilHams,  E.  C.  Andrews,  S.  C. 
Walker  and  others.  J.  R.  Parish  was  a  delegate  from 
the  church  at  Magnolia.  He  was  to  preach  in  the  after- 
noon on  Sun  lay,  but  a  heavy  rain  prevented.  At  that 
meeting  of  the  body,  Friendship  and  Mar's  Hill  churches 
were  dismissed  by  letter.  The  Committee  on  Obituaries 
records  the  death  of  Wm.  Marselas,  of  Mar's  Hill  church; 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     I5APTISTS.  959 

Jacob  Curtis,  of  Bo<41K'  Chitto,  antl  Alircd  Reaves  and 
William  H.  Holmes.  It  also  tells  of  the  general  loss  in 
the  death  of  S.  S.  Ralyca,  of  the  McComb  City  church. 
What  little  is  said  of  the  demise  of  that  great  and  useful 
man  is  parenthetical  and  interpolated  by  the  clerk  of 
the  ))ody.  His  career  receives  notice  in  Foster's  Missis- 
sippi Baptist  Preachers.  He  was  well  ec[uipped  for  life> 
a  man  of  good  education  and  sjjlendid  gifts. 

It  was  reserved  for  the  fatal  3'ear  of  1M7S  for  the 
Bogue  Chitto  to  send  up  the  shout  of  victory.  It  was 
in  this  language : 

"Whkk'Kas,  There  seems  to  be  no  mission  destitu- 
tion within  the  bounds  of  this  association,  and,  as  our 
Board  will  have  little  to  do  in  the  work  of  missions; 
therefore  be  it 

"  A'eso/reJ,  That  our  Missionary  Board  will  be  in- 
structed to  co-o])erate  with  the  Mission  Board  of  the 
Baptist  Stiite  Convention  in  the  employment  of  a  mis- 
sionary to  labor  in  any  destitute  held."" 

The  body  agreed  to  form^  itself  a  missionary  Ijody 
without  the  word  "Home"  before  the  word  "mission- 
ary." There  isa  heroic  sjjirit  and  a  military  dash  about 
the  expression  that  is  not  found  on  the  records  of  any 
other  association  in  the  State.  IS78,  it  is  remembered, 
was  the  year  the  yellow  fever  decinifited  some  parts  of 
Mississippi.  The  epidemic  caused  the  representation  of 
the  churches  to  be  snicall,  but  did  not  dampen  the  ardor 
of  the  body. 

On  the  records  ofl879  familiar  names  greet  us,  C.H. 
Otkin,  W.  W.  Bolls,  H.  M.  Long,  J.  K.  Parish,  T.  J.  Walne 
and  T.  C.  Schilling.  The  names  of  those  men  will  be 
imperishable  it"  the  history  of  Mississippi  Baptists  is 
faithfidly  ])reserved.  Such  men  have  been  worth  more 
to    Mississi[)i)i  than  our  pine   hills  and  alluvial  valleys. 


960  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  ])r()(lucts  of  their  hves  have  not  been  annual,  hut 
perennial.  It  is  retreshins^^  to  note  the  list  of  committees 
raised  by  the  Bogue  Chitto  in  1879:  On  Lea  Female 
College,  missions,  Clinton  College,  Sunday  schools  and 
religious  literature.  The  report  on  Lea  Female  College 
is  about  the  same  as  in  the  minutes  of  the  Pearl  River, 
which  has  already  1)een  given.  More  will  be  said  of 
that  useful  institution  of  learning  under  another  head. 
B.  A.  Crawford  was  chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
State  Missions.  He  said  :  "  This  association  is  strong" 
and  able  to  do  a  great  deal  in  the  work  of  missions. 
We  ^vould,  therefore,  recommend  to  the  churches  of  this 
association  a  hearty  co-operation  with  the  State  Mis- 
sion Board.''  The  letter  of  correspondence  written  by 
W.  H.  Schilling  said  the  body  was  showing  consider- 
able interest  in  missions  and  Sunday  schools.  A  Com- 
mittee on  Temperance  made  a  ringing  report.  The 
churches  were  exhorted  to  exercise  the  closest  watch 
care  over  their  memlDers  who  were  addicted  to  drink, 
and  to  exercise  the  most  rjgid  discipline  as  a  correction. 
The  Baptist  Record  and  the  Southern  Baptist  were 
recommended  by  the  Committee  on  Publications. 

The  officers  of  the  Bogue  Chitto  inlSSO  were  :  C.  F. 
Crawford,  moderator,  B.  S.  Turnipseed,  clerk,  and  C.S. 
Walker,  treasurer.  C.  F.  Crawford  had  been  modera- 
tor from  the  beginning.  B.  S.  Turnipseed  was  clerk  six 
years,  succeeding  J.  C.  Leggett,  who  was  clerk  for  four 
years  before  him.  S.  C.  Walker  was  treasurer  three 
years,  J.  A.  Jenkins  four  years,  and  John  Simmons  three 
3'ears.  In  1880,  there  were  twenty-four  churches  in  the 
bodj',  reporting  137  liaptisms,  with  a  total  meml)er- 
ship  of  2,363  that  year.  Due  courtesy  was  urged  by 
one  church  for  another,  that  had  excluded  a  number 
for  disorderlv    work.      The    AL'iirnolia   church   had  re- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  961 

ccived  "one  or  more"'  such  excluded  nieni])ers,  and  a 
committee  of  three  was  apjjointed  to  visit  the  church 
and  labor  with  it  and  make  a  formal  report  at  the 
next  sitting  of  the  body.  Two  years  after  a  report  was 
received  from  this  committee,  continued  to  that  date> 
The  report  said  that  the  offense  was  out  of  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  Association,  and  i-ecommended  that  no  fur- 
ther action  be  taken  as  to  the  irregularity. 

The  eighth  i-esolution  passed  was  with  reference  to 
T.  C.  Schilling.  He  was  in  a  few  days  to  go  to  Missis- 
sippi College.  He  was  said  to  be  a  worthy  3'oung  min- 
ister and  the  union  generally  proposed  to  give  him 
pecuniary  aid.  The  writer  must  here  express  his  regret 
tliat  he  was  not  in  that  meeting  of  the  Bogue  Chitto. 
He  will  be  excused  for  expi'essing  a  degree  of  eovetous- 
ness  for  the  privilege  any  one  had  of  investing  money 
in  that  young  minister.  His  career  has  lieen  one  of 
great  usefulness  in  South  Mississippi. 

The  Missionary  Board  of  the  Association  was,  in 
ISSl,  composed  of  T.  C.  Sciiilling,  S.  O.  Simmons,  L.'P. 
Parker,  G.  I>.  Lewis  and  G.  H.  Varnado.  The  report 
on  missions  showed  a  growing  interest  in  missions. 
Eleven  of  the  churches  had  "responded  to  the  call  ot" 
dut\'.''  The  Board  had  received  during  the  associa- 
tional  year  for  Home  missions  $52.00,  for  Foreign  mis- 
sions $19.10,  and  a  public  colkx-tion  at  the  Association 
of  $51.30.  The  recommendation  was  made  to  continue 
the  missionary  who  Wcis  laboring  in  their  Ijounds,  and 
hearty  co-operation  with  the  State  Mission  Bo^ird  was 
pledged.  The  committee  on  Temperance  expressed  the 
belief  that  $75,000  was  spent  annually  in  their  liounds 
for  whiskies,  and  recommended  that  the  preachers 
preach  against  the  use  of  intoxicants  as  a  beverage. 

A  numlier  of  men  were  at  that  meeting:  of  the  union 


962  HISTORY    OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

whose  presence  was  valual^le  in  the  working  of  the 
bod^^  M.  S.  Shirk  preached  Sunday  on  "Christian 
FideHty."  T.J.  Wahie  was  there  in  the  interest  of  the 
-Baptist  Record  and  the  State  Mission  Board.  He  was 
invited  to  visit  the  churches  and  represent  the  State, 
Board.  The  pastors  of  the  churches  at  that  date  were: 
W.  H.  Bailey,  J.  R.  Parish,  C.F.  Crawford,  W.  H.  Schil- 
ling,  I.  Allmand,  B.  A.  Crawford,  W.  J.  Fortenberry, 
G.N.  Bankston,  W.  H.Tucker,  E.  M.'vSchilHng,  R.'j. 
Boone  and  M.  S.  Shirk. 

In  1882,  a  special  committee  was  raised  on  Foreign 
missions.  For  several  vears  they  had  a  Coinmittee  on 
Missions  that  was  expected  to  report  on  the  work  ot 
iill  the  missionary  field.  The  interest  tid<en  in  Foreign 
missions  was  cheering.  It  was  stated  that  some  of  the 
churches  had  contributed  handsomely.  $76.15  had 
been  given  to  this  object  during  the  year.  T.  J.  Walne, 
I^.  E.  Alelvin  £ind  ^l.  C.  Cole  Avere  at  the  Association 
What  interest  R.  E.  Melvin  was  representing  is  not 
stated.  He  was  selling  his  little  book,  "  Peculiar  Peo- 
ple." He  preached  at  11a.m.  Sunday-.  M.C.Cole 
Avas  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church  at  New  Orleans, 
that  very  popular  mission  station  of  the  State  Mission 
Board.  Hegave  a  brief  sketch  of  his  field  and  labors  in 
New  Orleans,  after  which  a  collection  was  taken  for 
the  Xe\v  Orleans  mission,  amounting  to  $21.15. 

Their  interest  in  missions  seemed  unabating.  After 
the  reading  of  the  report  on  Foreign  missions  a  cash 
collection  was  taken  of  $1.65.  It  was  resolved  to  con- 
tribute their  Home  mission  fund  to  State  missions,  as 
usual,  and  the  Foreign  mission  funds  on  hand  be  sent 
to  Dr.  B.  H.  Whitfield,  the  Foreign  mission  secretary  ot 
our  State.  The  JMissionary  Board  was  displaced  by  a 
committee  on  missions,  to  l^e  composed  of  one  member 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  063 

of  each  church,  who  was  to  labor  to  collect  funds  for 
Home  and  Foreign  missions.  The  Ladies' Aid'Societies 
were  asked  to  aid  in  this  general  work  There  was  an 
■effort  iit  a  rrdlyin.L:;  of  all  their  forces  to  a  brisk  onward 
movement. 

The  Bogue  Chitto  has  given  its  unflagginfj-  support 
to  the  State  Convention  and  its  interests.  In  1888, 
the  belief  was  expressed  that  general  unification  of  all 
the  Baptists  in  the  State  would  l)e  promotive  of  de- 
nominational work.  Through  co-operation  with  the 
State  Mission  Board  they  had  C.  F.  Crawford  laboring 
along  the  lake  shore,  south  of  their  boundar3'  and  east 
of  the  Pearl  River.  In  November,  1884,  J.  G.  Chastain 
was  employed  by  the  Missionary  Board  to  occupy  the 
same  field  of  labor.  He  also  preached  regularly  at 
Tylertown,  then  an  important  educational  center.  He 
visited  all  the  churches  of  the  Association  except  two, 
to  stimulate  them  in  Sunday  schools  and  the  prayer 
ineeting.  His  work  w^as  highly  satisfactory.  The  fol- 
lowing year  an  associational  secretary  was  recom- 
mended who  should  co-operate  with  the  secretary  of 
the  State  Mission  Board.  In  1888,  Mrs.  M.  J.  Nelson, 
"lady  missionary"  in  New  Drleans,  was  with  them  and 
addressed  the  ladies  exclusively,  and  organized  them 
for  more  efficient  work.  The  next  year  the  contrilju- 
tions  made  l)v  the  churches  to  missions  was  rather 
marvelous:  Tangijjahoa  $17.35,  Mt.  Hermon  $12.30, 
Shady  Grove  $15.00,  Mt.  Zion  $13.50,  Moak's  Creek 
$27.55,  Boguc Chitto $4-3.85,  Magnolia  $100.00,  Bala- 
chitto  $18.00,  Tojiisaw  $26.80,  p:non  $12.50,  Friend- 
shi])  $14.15,  Silver  Springs  $5.40,  Holmesville  $1.50, 
Osyka  $12.55,  vSalem  $3.85,  and  Mount  Pleasant  $4.25. 
Each  churcli  in  the  Association  made  a  contri])ution  to 
missions. 


964  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  Association  was  unvarying  in  its  recommenda- 
tions on  publication  as  to  denominational  periodicals. 
The  Record  was  always  commended.  Sometimes  M.T. 
Martin  would  represent  it,  sometimes  T.  J.  Walne,  and 
a  few  times  the  editor,  J.  B.  Gambrell,  attended  the 
meetings  of  the  body.  They  had  no  adverse  criticisms 
to  make  publicly,  and  seemed  to  think  the  editor  was 
doing  his  best  within  his  circumstances  to  give  the 
Baptists  of  Mississippi  a  good  paper. 

The  associations  in  southern  Mississippi  took 
prompt  and  bold  position  on  the  temperance  question. 
The  Bogue  Chitto  was  no  exception.  In  1873,  the  re- 
port said:  "Our  people  have  in  some  localities  become 
aroused  to  the  importance  of  moving  forward  in  this 
great  work  ;  and,  we  must  act  in  the  matter,  the  time 
is  at  hand  when  w^e,  as  a  denomination,  must  rise  up 
in  our  power  against  the  monster  evil."  This  was 
spirited.  The  next  j^ear  the  talk  was  no  longer  of 
temperance  but  legal  prohibition  and  its  final  success. 
In  1885,  B.  A.  Crawford  said:  "If  the  whiskey  traffic 
is  not  an  evil,  we  all  know  it  is  not  a  blessing.  *  *  * 
The  time  has  come  whan  all  Christicins  must  take  a 
decided  stand.  *  *  *  The  spirit  of  Christianity  must 
characterize  ever^^  Christian.''  The  Sword  and  Shield, 
published  at  Clinton  in  the  interest  of  prohibition,  was 
recommended. 

In  1886,  they  raised  an  uncompromising  protest 
against  any  encouragement  of  the  nefarious  traffic,  and 
advised  the  churches  not  to  retain  in  their  membership 
those  who  persist  in  lending  their  influence  to  the  sa- 
loon interest.  The  following  year  the  report  was  on 
Prohibition.  It  said:  "The  whole  liquor  system  is 
wrong  in  principle,  soul-destroying,  and  God-dishonor- 
ing; therefore,  it  is  an  evil  that  cannot  be  regulated^ 


HISTORY    OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  965 

iind  must  be  prohibited.  *  *  *  We  advise  every  ehureli 
to  take  high  ground  on  this  ([uestion  and  maintain  it 
with  unwavering  firmness.""  When  the  union  met  in 
188S,  Pike  county  liad  "gone  dry.'"  It"  the  sentiment 
that  Christians  should  see  that  the  country  shoukl  be 
reHeved  otthe  evil  ot  drink — "legal  ])rohil)ition  must  be 
supported  l)y  moral  i)roliibition.""  The  following  year, 
it  was  recommended  to  the  ehurelies  that  they  discip- 
line all  memljers  who  hal)iturdly  drink  intoxicating 
liquors  as  a  beverage.'" 

The  Sunday-school  work  of  the  Boguc  Chitto  was 
a  growing  interest.  In  1878,  the  beginning  of  this 
epoch,  hve  churches  had  good  Sunday  schools.  It  was 
felt  that  there  should  be  a  flourishing  Sunday  school  in 
each  church.  The  difficulty  of  keeping  up  "evergreen" 
Sundti}'  schools  in  country  churches  is  in  the  fact  tluit 
they  have  preaching  usually  onlv  one  Sunday  in  the 
month,  and  the  young  people  wish  to  go  on  the  other 
Sundays  in  the  month  to  churches  that  have  preaching, 
and  which  are  in  easy  reach.  The  following  year  ])ro- 
gress  was  reported.  It  was  said,  "most  of  our  churches 
are  moving  forward  in  this  great  cause,"  but  it  was 
found  tluit  ])arents  did  not  realize  the  responsibility 
that  rested  on  them. 

On  the  fifth  Sunday  in  March,  188"),  a  Sundav- 
school  Convention  was  organized.  The  convention 
had  four  meetings  before  the  Association.  It  had  thir- 
teen Sunday  schools  in  it  and  had  assisted  in  establish- 
ing six  Sunday  schools.  800  co[)ies  of  the  ( )1(1  and  New 
Testament  had  been  distril)ute(l.  In  two  years  eight 
new  Sunday  schools  had  been  established.  Every 
church  in  the  Association  had  a  Sunday  school.  The 
following  year  there  was  the  average  attendance  at  the 
Sunday  schools  of  GOO.     In  1887,  the  convention  was 


966  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

still  in  operation  and  instinct  with  life,  holding  its  ses- 
sion each  fifth  Sunday.  The  attendance  had  increased 
to  710.  Their  Sunday-school  committee  was  composed 
of  one  member  in  each  church,  who  was  supposed  to  be 
interestc^l  in  the  Sunday-school  w'ork.  The  progress  in 
the  w(n-k  is  the  most  marvelous  in  the  history  of  Alis- 
sissippi  Baptist  associations. 

From  1883  to  1890,  R.  S.  Turnipseed  was  clerk, 
and  S.  C.  Walker  treasurer.  B.  A.  Crawford  was  mod- 
erator four  years  and  J.  G.  Leggett,  three.  The  Bogue 
Chitto  is  a  vigorous  association.  Its  history  is  a  fine 
study  lor  one  who  wishes  to  see  sturdy  Christianity 
highly  operative  under  ordinary  circumstances.  Nearly 
all  the  churches  are  in  the  countr}^  and  in  the  piney 
woods.  The  dash  and  energy  at  times  displayed  by 
the  body  elicit  admiration. 

The  session  of  the  Bogue  Chitto  of  1891  met  with 
Friendship  church  in  Pike  county.  J.  G.  Leggett,  of 
Holmesville,  was  elected  moderator,  J.  H.  Crawford,  of 
Walker's  Bridge,  clerk,  and  S.  C.  Walker,  of  Topisaw, 
treasurer.  The  prominent  visitors  were  A.  A.  Lomax 
and  J.  T.  Christian. 

The  Association  took  pleasure  in  recommending 
Kavanaugh  College,  at  Holmesville,  then  under  the 
control  of  the  bodj'.  C.  B.  Freeman  had  charge  of  the 
school.  We  find  nothing  said  of  the  school  in  xhe  Min- 
utes of  the  Association  in  succeeding  years.  But  we 
find  a  notice  of  the  death  of  the  ])rincipal  of  the  school 
in  the  Minutes  of  1892.  C.  B.  Freeman  was  a  worthy, 
cultured,  ])ious,  consecrated  man,  and  liy  his  death  the 
Bogue  Chitto  Association  lost  a  useful  man.  In  1875, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Katie  Miller,  of  Hazlehurst. 
He  was  for  a  while  pastor  at  Bastrop,  Louisiana.  He 
had   taught  in    Concord  Institute  at   Shiioh,    Louisi- 


HISTOKY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  967 

ana,  and  had  char<4"C()t' the  hi.i^h  scliool  at  Stcon's  Creek, 
Miss.,  for  a  while.     lie  died  June  11,  1892. 

The  Assoeiation  was  sustaining  a  Sunckiy-sehool 
Convention,  which  \vas  operative  in  two  divisions. 
The  following  ^'■ear  the  convention  reported  twentr- 
eight  Sunday  schools  in  their  connection,  which  had  an 
aggregate  of  1,322  pupils.  There  were  only  nineteen 
churches  in  the  bocjy  with  a  total  membership  of  2,336. 
The  number  of  Sunday  schools  given  looks  like  a  mis- 
print. Yet,  in  1893,  they  reported  25  Sunday  schools 
with  an  enrollment  of  984  pupils.  They  had  the  asso- 
ciations in  the  State  in  the  numl)er  of  Sunckiy  schools. 

They  have  j^rinted  in  the  Minutes  of  1891  a  statis- 
tical table  that  catches  the  eye.  It  is  a  tabulated  state- 
ment of  the  missions  in  foreign  fields  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention,  giving  the 
number  of  stations  and  out-stations  of  missionaries  in 
eacli  field  of  labor,  and  the  native  assistants,  with  the 
numl)er  received  at  each  station  l^y  baptism  and  letter. 
It  is  very  instructive,  and  a  valual)le  aid  to  foreign 
work. 

The  twenty-third  annual  session  was  held  with  the 
Silver  S])rings  church,  beginning  September  17,  1892. 
B".  A.  Crawford  was  cliosen  moderator,  J.  H.  Crawford, 
clerk,  and  S.C.  Walker,  treasurer.  S.  M.  Ellis  was  with 
them  representing  the  Board  of  .Ministerial  Education, 
J.  T.  Christian,  the  Convention  Board,  and  11.  E. 
S])rolcs,  the  Jackson  cluirch  building  interest. 

Tliat  year  the  Association  used  tlie  ])reast-chain. 
Things  were  going  too  last  down  hill  to  suit  them. 
They  adopted  the  following  resolution  : 

'^  Kcsolvcfl,  That  it  is  the  sentiment  of  this  .Vssocia- 
tion  that  (jod  calls  only  men — never  women — to  i)reach 
the  gospel  to  promi.scuous  congregations."' 


^168  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  work  of  the  convention  was  put  l^efore  the 
body  in  a  carefully  prepared  paper  by  T.  C.  Schilling. 
There  was  considerable  disaffection  in  that  part  of  the 
State  against  the  methods  prepared  by  the  convention 
in  mission  work,  and  this  paper  was  designed  to  place 
the  work  of  the  convention  correctly  before  the  people. 

Thev  met  with  the  Holmesville  church  in  1893. 
1.  Allmand  was  chosen  moderator.  The  other  officers 
of  the  year  before  were  re  elected.  Their  ordained  min- 
isters were:  B.  A.Crawford,  J.  L.  Price,  E.  M.  Schilling, 
J.  X.  Fortenberry,  I.  Allmand,  W.  F.  Yarborough.  M.  S. 
Shirk,  Alex.  Burnett,  ^..  F.  Davis,  and  J.  R.  G.  Reeves. 
The  usual  reports  were  read  and  adopted. 

The  body  was, in  1894-,  composed  of  twenty  churches, 
which  had  a  total  membership  of  2,449.  They  received 
that  year  88  persons  by  baptism.  They  gave  to  For- 
eign missions  $232.80,  and  to  State  missions  $168.25. 
The3^  reported  twenty-live  Sunda\^  schools.  The  ses- 
sion of  1895  met  with  Mount  Pleasant  church. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  969 


CHAPTER   XXX. 

THE    DELT.V    WORK. 

The  alluvial  hinds  cast  of  the  Mississippi  river  from 
Memphis  to  Vicksburg  are  now,  b\^  common  consent, 
called  the  Yazoo  Delta.  It  is  not  in  the  shape  of  the 
Greek  letter  "  Delta,'"  as  is  the  Delta  of  the  Xile,  but  is 
so  Ccdled  hy  comparison  with  the  Delta  of  the  Nile  in  its 
fertility-  and  alluvial  construction.  It  is  an  oval  oblong 
country,  with  the  Mississippi  river  on  the  west  and  the 
Alississippi  l^luff  formation  on  the  east.  The  district  of 
country  is  about  180  miles  long,  as  the  crow  flies,  and 
al)out  60  miles  broad  at  its  greatest  breadth,  from 
Catfish  Point  on  the  Mississippi  river  to  Smith's  Mills 
on  the  east. 

For  productiveness  this  district  of  country  cannot 
l)e  ecjualed  by  anv  other  district  of  the  same  dimensions 
in  the  United  States.  It  was  not  occupied  by  the  early 
settlers  of  our  State  on  account  of  its  supposed  un- 
healthfulness.  Even  now  many  think  it  exceedingly 
dangerous  to  lite  to  remain  in  the  Delta  for  any  consid- 
cralilc  length  of  time.  But  if  one  is  cai  eful  as  to  the 
jjurity  of  the  water  he  drinks  and  does  not  wantonly 
expose  himself  to  dew  and  the  night  air,  he  may  main- 
tain health  in  almost  any  part  of  the  Delta. 

This  supposed  unwholesomeness  of  that  country 
deterred  emigrants  from  settling  in  that  part  of  the 
State  in  the  early  days  of  our  history.     White  people 


970  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

especially  were  slowaljout  enterin*^  the  densely  wooded, 
alluvial  plains  of  the  Mississippi  river.  There  were, 
before  the  Civil  War,  some  settlements  of  white  people 
on  the  elevated  plateaus  and  near  the  Mississippi  river, 
\vhp  experimented  as  to  the  salubrity  of  the  atmos- 
phere. 

When  these  settlements  were  established,  mission- 
aries went  into  the  Delta,  sometimes  l^y  the  solieitation 
of  the  settlers  and  sometimes  they  were  sent  into  that 
country  l)y  the  district  associations  organized  in  the 
hill  country  adjacent  to  the  Delta.  Small  churches  were 
thus  established  at  an  early  date,  the  greater  number 
of  which  were  struggling  missionary  interests,  which 
were  spasmodically  represented  at  the  association  and 
a  constant  care  to  the  Executive  Board.  All  of  the 
churches  established  in  the  Delta  in  earh'  days  had  dis- 
solved before  1870. 

The  district  associations  adjacent  to  the  Delta  which  ♦ 
left  an  early  impression  on  that  country  were  Cold- 
water,  Yalolnisha,  Yazoo  and  Central.  We  will  con- 
sider their  relation  to  the  Delta  work  in  this  order,  be- 
ginning on  the  north  and  proceeding  in  order  to  the 
south. 

In  184(3,  the  Coldwater  Association  received  into 
its  union  the  Sunflower  church,  in  Coahoma  eount3'^ 
which,  at  that  date,  had  Delta  as  its  postoflice.  Delta 
was  on  the  Mississippi  river,  a  few  miles  above  Friar's 
Point.  But  later,  when  postoffices  became  more  numer- 
ous, the  postoflice  of  the  church  was  nearer  Ijy  at  Shuf- 
ordsville.  The  Sunflower  church  was  represented  in 
1846  £it  the  association  by  S.  A.  Bobo,  F.  G.  Bobo  and 
A.  Moore.  The  church  came  into  the  association  ask- 
ing aid,  and  was  considered  as  occupying  missionary 
ground.     A  resolution  was  passed  at  that  meeting  re- 


J 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  971 

questing"  the  Executive  Committee  to  send  a  minister 
to  Coahoma  county,  "at  least  to  the  amount  of  one- 
half  of  our  funds  raised  for  Domestic  missions."  We 
learn  that,  in  1857,  N.  P.Johnson  was  appointed  mis- 
sionary in  the  Delta,  but  he  made  no  report  of  thcAVork 
done. 

In  1S5-4-  a  strong  resolution  providing"  for  the  em- 
ployment of  a  missionary  for  "  the  Mississippi  bottoms" 
was  adopted.  The  men  of  a  missionary  spirit  in  the 
Coldwater  Association  kept  an  eye  on  the  Delta.  As 
an  illustration  that  their  labors  were  not  in  vam,  in 
1S59,  the}'  received  the  Moon  Lake  church  into  their 
union.  Moon  Lake  is  in  Coahoma  county,  northeast 
from  Friar's  Point.  The  delegates  elected  to  represent 
the  church  in  the  association  were  John  Cheek,  the  pas- 
tor, and  E.  and  K.  Barbee.  These  names  indicate  that 
the  old  Moon  Lake  church  was  east  of  the  lake  carry- 
ing that  name,  as  the  Barbees  lived  east  of  the  lake. 
Let  this  be  remembered. 

In  early  times  the  Yalol)usha  Association  had  a 
church  in  Coahoma  county  called  Good  Hope.  Its  post- 
ofhce  was  Friar"s  Point,  It.  transferred  itself  to  the 
Coldwater  Association  in  1853,  and  must,  therefore, 
have  been  constituted  at  least  as  early  as  1850.  It 
was  to  be  rej^resented  in  the  Coldwater  association  in 
1S58  l)y  K.  J.  Alcorn  and  \V.  Ferguson,  R.  J.  Alcorn 
Avas  pastor,  and  was  at  the  meeting  of  the  association. 

The  Yazoo  Association  was,  for  many  years,  in- 
tensely interested  in  the  Delta  work.  Their  field  of  oper- 
ation was  west  of  their  territory,  and  conse(iuentlv  in 
Leflore  and  Sunflower  counties.  In  1855,  they  estab- 
lished two  churches  in  the  Delta,  the  Sunflower  and  the 
Yazoo.  The  Sunflower  church  was  on  tlie  Sunflower 
river,    witli    McNutt  as   its   ])ostofHce,  and    the  Yazoo 


972  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

church  near  the  Yazoo  river,  with  Sicloii  as  its  post- 
office.  The  former  church  must  have  been  west  of  iVIc- 
Nutt  and  somewhat  near  that  place.  These  two  churches 
were  oi'ganized  hy  Z.  McAIath  and  W.  J.  Al)bott,  as  has 
been  noticed  in  the  histor\'  of  the  Yazoo  Association. 
For  many  years  the  Yazoo  Association  was  much  en- 
listed in  the  Delta  work  adjacent  to  their  territory. 

The  connection  the  Central  Association  had  with 
the  Delta  work  in  nnte  helium  da^'S  was  by  the  slight- 
est touch,  but  highly  worthy  of  notice.  Before  1859, 
AV.  \V.  Arnold  had  moved  from  \Yarren  county  to  Bol- 
ivar county.  He  had  a  plantation  near  Concordia,  in 
that  county.  He  was  decidedly  a  Baptist,  and  had 
aljouthim  a  number  of  white  people  of  like  belief.  They 
had  with  them  a  Baptist  minister,  AI.  Y.  Morgan,  that 
had  been  preaching  for  them,  who,  it  is  said,  was  from 
Arkansas.  W.  W.  Arnold  knew  D.  S.  Snodgrass,  then 
pastor  in  Vicksburg.  He  wrote  to  Snodgrass  to  assist 
them  in  the  formation  of  a  church. 

Consequently  Snodgrass  reached  Bolivar  county  by 
wa\'  of  the  Mississippi  river  with  this  purpose  in  view. 
\V.  \Y.  Arnold  had  erected  a  church  house  on  his  farm, 
and  all  things  were  ready  for  the  constitution  of  the 
-church.  The  meeting  for  the  constitution  of  the  church 
was  held  at  11  a.  m.  Saturday,  July  9,  1859.  M.  Y. 
Morgan  an  1  sixteen  (16)  Baptists,  bearing  letters  from 
churches  elsewhere,  were  present  to  form  the  orgciniza- 
tion.  D.  S.  Snodgrass  acted  as  moderator  and  B.  R. 
Herndon  clerk.  In  the  constitution  of  the  body,  W.  W. 
Arnold  and  \Y.  Crail  were  accepted  as  deacons,  having 
held  that  position  in  ths  respective  churches  from  which 
they  had  received  letters.  M.  Y.  M  )rgan  was  called 
.as  pastor  for  two  Sundays  in  each  month.  The  church 
w^as  called  the  First  Baptist  church  ot  Bolivar  county, 
Avhich  it  was  in  truth. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  973- 

D.  S.  Sn()(li»rass  returned  home  and  attended  the 
meetin<i:  of  the  Central  Assoeiation,  whieh  met  that 
year  in  Oetober  with  the  Mound  Bluff  church,  in  Mad- 
ison county.  He  told  the  Executive  Board  of  his  trip. 
Avhich  i-ecomniended  that  they  give  attention  to  Bolivar 
county,  as  it  was  then  being  rapidly  filled  up  with  an 
energetic  and  wealthy  population,  and  was  destined, 
with  the  adjoining  counties,  to  become  the  garden  spot 
of  Mississippi.  vSome  time  after  the  organization  of  this 
church,  Moses  Green,  later  of  Monticello,  Ark.,  was 
their  pastor.  This  closes  the  history  of  the  Delta  work 
iK'fore  the  Civil  War. 

After  the  war  the  churches  established  in  the  Mis- 
sissippi bottom  previous  to  that  national  calamity, 
and  one  by  one,  disappeared.  The  name  of  the  Sun- 
flower church  of  the  Cold  water  Association  was  on 
thl  list  of  churches  in  1869,  but  was  not  represented 
at  the  annual  meeting.  The  Sunflower  church  of  the 
Yazoo  Association  was  last  represented  in  1865,  and  it 
and  the  Viizoo  church  were,  for  the  last  time,  in  the  list 
of  churches  of  1 866.  And  thus  it  appears  as  if  the  waves 
of  oblivion  had  rolled  over  the  cherished  missionary 
work  done  by  our  forefathers  in  the  Delta.  But  we 
shall  see  that  this  was  not  true.  God  saw,  and  did  not 
forget  some  things  he  saw. 

Just  after  the  Civii  War  Colonel  Lewis  Ball  and 
(leneral  M.  P.  Lowery  held  meetings  through  North 
Mississippi  wherever  occasion  would  allow.  In  1866, 
Lewis  Ball,  in  connection  with  W.  W.  Finley,  held  a 
great  and  successful  meeting  at  Charleston,  Tallahat- 
chie county.  Charleston  is  on  the  Tallahatchie  river, 
but  in  the  Delta.  L.  Ball  saw  the  Delta  and  his  fiery 
spirit  was  stirred  within  him.  The  following  year  he 
went  to  Friar's    Point,  which  is  a  concentric   ])<)int  ot 


974  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

the  three  old  ehurches  of  the  Cold  water  Association, 
Suniiower,  Good  Hope  and  Moon  Lake.  His  meeting- 
was  highly  successful,  and  a  church  was  constituted  at 
Friar's  Point.  The  overflow  of  the  Alississippi  of  that 
3'-ear  drove  him  out,  and  the  interest  he  created  was  left 
to  languish. 

In  1869,  T.  J.  Sparkman  was  at  the  meeting  of  the 
Yalobusha  Association.  He  was  received  as  a  visitor, 
but  was  made  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Sunday 
schools.  He  was  registered  among  the-  ordained  min- 
isters of  the  association,  with  his  postoffice  at  Pine 
Valley,  which  is  east  of  the  I.  C.  Railroad,  not  far  from 
Dixon.  His  name  is  among  the  delegates  from  that  as- 
sociation to  the  Baptist  State  Convention  to  meet  the 
following  year  at  West  Point.  It  seems,  therefore,  that 
he  had  a  possible  permanency  in  their  midst. 

We  are  told  that  Sparkman  was  from  Texas,  and 
was  in  Mississippi  on  a  visit.  The  statement  can  be 
accepted,  and  yet  not  be  at  variance  with  the  opinion 
just  stated.  The  writer  well  remembers  that,  at  one 
time,  a  minister  by  the  name  of  Smith  came  back  from 
Texas  to  Cherry  Creek,  Pontotoc  county,  and  remained 
for  many  months  in  the  State  before  returning  to 
Texas. 

Sparkman  was  a  sprightl}^  energetic,  sportive  man. 
In  the  spring  of  1870,  perhaps  in  Mav,  his  friends  in- 
duced him  to  go  into  the  Delta  on  a  fishing  expedition. 
They  went  far  into  the  Delta,  to  the  lakes  near  Friar's 
Point,  which  at  the  time  abounded  with  fish.  It  was 
on  historic  missionary  ground.  While  there,  he  was 
with  the  deseandants  and  neighbors  of  the  Moon  Lake 
church,  the  Good  Hope,  and  the  Sunflower.  He  preached 
to  these  people.  They  heard  him  gladlv,  the  meeting 
ijA'as  prolonged.     This  was  at  old  Shuffordville,  in  Coa- 


HISTOKY     OF     AllSSISSiri'I     BAPTISTS.  975 

homa  county,  the  postofficcof  theold  Suufiovverchurch. 
Here  our  permanent  modern  missionary  work  Ijegan  in 
the  Delta. 

Let  us  notice  the  dehcate  touch  of  the  Lords  index 
finger  at  that  point,  hi  1S49,  by  the  delegates  who 
went  to  the  meeting"  of  the  Cold  water  Association  from 
the  old  Sunflower  church  at  Shuffordville,  a  little  girl, 
seven  (7)  years  of  tige,  sent  a  box  containing  $2.80  in 
dimes  for  China  missions.  The  delegate  who  bore  the 
box  was  Cullen  Antlrews.  The  l)ox  had  on  it  this  po- 
etry- : 

"  'Twcis  Jesus'  last  and  great  command, 
Go  teach  m^-  word  in  every  land. 
To  all  be  my  salvation  shown, 
To  every  creature  make  it  known.'' 

Below  this  poetry  was  this  passage  of  Scripture : 
* '  Ye  are  my  friends  if  re  do  whfi  tsoever  I commund  you.' ' 
A  little  child  shall  lead  them.  When  the  gracious  Lord 
on  high  saw  the  l)ox  leave  the  child's  hand  in  Shufford- 
ville for  China  missions,  he  placed  his  index  finger  on 
Shuffordville,  and  said,  just  here  the  Baptists  shall  be- 
gin to  redeem  the  Delta.  The  God  we  worship  never 
forgets  a  generous  act.  Little  Mary  M.  Prince,  the 
youthful  donor  of  the  box  of  dimes,  ciirried  the  name 
of  the  mother  of  our  Lord,  and  the  helping  sjjirit  that 
characterized  the  Christ  life,  and  the  spirit  thcit  ever 
bends  in  grateful  homage  to  the  influence  of  the  sun  of 
righteousness,  as  the  sunflower  l)ends  to  the  bestowing 
light.  Whether  that  spirit  was  the  imjjulse  of  the  mo- 
ment, as  was  the  ])ro])hetic  utterance  of  the  seer  of 
Pithor,  or  the  first  impulse  of  an  early  awakening  of  a 
reanimated  being,  God  knows. 

After  the  meeting  Sparkman  returned   to  his  tem- 
porary home,  and   filled  the  mission  the  Yalobusha  As- 


976  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

sociation  assigned  him,  as  delegate  to  the  State  Con- 
vention at  West  Point,  which  met  June  2,  1870.  He 
made  an  appeal  for  the  Delta  before  the  convention. 
Rev.  A.  D.  Brooks,  who  came  to  us  from  Kentuckv  b\' 
way  of  Tennessee,  then  in  the  eastern  part  of  our  State, 
pastor  at  Okolona,  was  fired  by  the  spii-it  of  the  ear- 
nest Texan.  In  July  Brooks  and  Sparkman  met  at 
Shuffordville  to  begin  a  religious  campaign,  the  equal 
of  which  has  not  been  known  in  the  history  of  Missis- 
sippi Baptists.  The  campaign  opened  at  Shuffordville. 
The  two  invincible  evangelists  preached  there  ten  days 
and  a  great  number  were  baptized  and  a  church  consti- 
tuted, and  Sparkman  called  as  pastor,  a  fit  omen  of 
their  coming  success. 

From  Shuffordville  they  went  northeast  to  Jones- 
town, which  is  east  of  Swan  Lake,  the  old  tramping 
ground  of  the  missionaries  of  the  Coldwater  Associa- 
tion. Here  they  baptized  twenty  believers  in  Christ,  and 
organized  another  church,  to  which  Sparkman  was 
called  as  pastor.  This  was  in  the  latter  part  of  July, 
and  scarcely  two  (2)  months  after  the  meeting  of  the 
State  Convention. 

From  Jonestown  these  men,  the  modvrn  Paul  and 
Barnabas,  went  to  the  northwest,  still  in  Coahoma 
count}'.  They  had  then  reached  the  community  of  the 
Barbees,  or  the  place  where  the  old  Moon  Lake  church 
was  organized.  Long  had  been  the  waiting  of  the  peo- 
ple for  thecoming  of  the  missionaries.  But  theday  was 
dawning.  The  evangelists  stayed  there  two  weeks. 
The  windows  ot  heaven  were  opened,  and  they  had  a 
feast  of  soul.  A  grecit  number  were  baptized  in  the 
Yazoo  Pass.  Another  church  was  organized,  and  Spark- 
man called  as  pastor.  Up  to  that  time  A.  D.  Brooks 
hiid  not  an  idea  of  giving  up  his  pastorate  at  Okolona, 


niSTOKV     OK     MISSISSIPPI     HAPTISTS.  9<i 

but  was  (loiriiJ:   tlie  work  of  an  evangelist  tor  Christ's, 
sake. 

Alter  that,  the  two  weary  workers  eased  them- 
selves down  to  Friar's  Point,  where  Lewis  Ball  had 
orjj^anized  a  ehureh  a  few  3^eiirs  betore,  whieh  he  lett  so 
soon  after  its  oruanization  that  it  was  little  more  than 
unvisited  territory.  This  was  in  Au<^ust,  1S7().  They 
had  another  soul-uplifting  revived,  and  Sparkman  \va& 
again  ealled  as  pastor.  His  time  was  then  filled  in  the 
territory  of  the  old  Sunflower,  Good  Hope  and  Moon 
Lake  churehes. 

A.  D.  Brooks  then  went  on  his  work  of  an  evangel- 
ist alone.  Where  was  he  to  go  ?  Some  of  their  mem- 
bers of  that  ehureh  in  Bolivar  eounty,  established  l)y 
D.  S.  Snodgrass  in  1859,  hearing  of  their  wonderful  suc- 
cess took  heart,  and  sent  for  them  to  come  to  them. 
The  leaven  had  only  been  hid  away,  and  had  not  lost 
its  vitality.  A  meeting  was  held  with  them,  and  eight 
or  ten  added  to  the  church.  They  invited  Brooks  to 
become  their  pastor,  wdiich  he  consented  to  do  shortly 
afterwards.  Then  a  meeting  was  held  ten  miles  south 
of  Friar's  I'oint  in  Coahoma  county,  and  another 
ehureh  organized. 

There  were  then  six  churehes  in  tlie  Delta.  They 
needed  to  be  kejjt  in  sjiiritual  touch,  that  they  might 
encourage  each  other,  and  reach  out  to  save  the  lost  in 
the  country  around.  It  was,  therefore,  decided  that 
an  association  should  lie  formed.  Lewis  Ball  was  then 
at  Blue  Mountain.  He  and  P'elix  L.  Seward,  of  luka 
Springs,  were  invited  to  assist  in  the  constitution  of 
the  body.     It  was  about  the  last  of  October,  1S70. 

The  Association  was  organized  at  Shufl'ordville. 
And  what  was  it  called?  The  Sunflower  Association^ 
F'rom    the   old  Sunflower  Church   at    Shutfordville.  thc-^ 


S7S  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

first  cliurch  in  the  Delta,  the  church  through  which  the 
little  girl  sent  the  $2.80  in  dimes  to  China  missions. 
Those  who  named  the  place  at  which  the  Association 
was  to  be  organized  and  \vho  named  the  body,  did  not 
know  these  facts,  but  God  knows  all  things,  and  does 
not  forget. 

The  day  had  then  come  for  an  extension  of  their 
held  of  labor.  Another  center  of  activity  inust  be 
sought.  From  Judea  the  gospel  must  be  carried  into 
Samaria.  On  the  second  Sunday  in  November,  A.  D. 
Brooks  went  to  Greenville,  in  Washington  county. 
There  he  found  a  few  Baptists,  among  whom  was  a 
^graduate  from  Yalobusha  Female  College  at  Grenada, 
Mrs.  AI.  J.  Nelson,  formerly  MattieJ.  Butler,  of  Oxford. 
Notably  along  with  Mrs.  Nelson  in  the  beginning  of 
Avork  in  Greenville  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  St.  Clair  and 
Mrs.  Hood.  The  Greenville  church  was  organized  by 
A.  D.  Brooks  and  Lewis  Ball  in  April,  1871. 

Lewis  Ball,  the  Abraham  of  Mississippi  Baptists, 
Avas  then  one  of  their  force,  being  located  at  Friar's 
Point,  ]}reaching  also  at  Shuffordville.  Sparkman  had 
given  u]j  the  Shuffordville  church,  and  had  taken  new 
Avork.  Three  strong  acceptable  ministers  were  then 
■occupied  on  a  field  desolate  less  than  a  year  before. 

A.  D.  Brooks  extended  his  held  down  Deer  Creek  to 
Avhat  was  called  Barefoot  Colony.  There  he  met  E. 
Smith,  of  Carroll  county  and  of  Yazoo  Association. 
E.  Smith  was  a  South  Carolinian.  When  he  came  to 
Mississii)i)i  he  settled  in  Pontotoc  county,  being  related 
to  the  Smiths,  of  Cherry  Creek  in  that  county.  He  was  a 
man  of  rare  common  sense,  and  had  a  good  knowledge 
of  Bi])le  truth.  He  had  much  of  the  missionary  spirit, 
-and  was  gladly  heard  when  it  was  known  he  was  to 
preach.     These  two  men    organized  a  church   in  the 


HISTORY     OF     MlSSISSIPn     BAPTISTS. 


979 


Barefoot  Colony.  They  were  be<?innin<i  to  touch  the 
influence  of  the  Yazoo  Association  on  the  Delta  work, 
and  were  ready  to  verge  upon  the  work  of  the  lamented 
Z.  AlcMath. 

X'eering  eastward.  A.  D.  Brooks  entered  Sunflower 
county,  and  began  a  meeting  on  Indian  Bayou,  where 
Indianola  is  now  situated.  The  place  was  then  called 
Eureka.  It  is  high,  dry,  and  wholesome,  and  a  good 
])opulation  was  gathering  there.  Brooks  organized  a 
church  there  in  the  autumn  iA'  1S71,  a  church  of  ten  or 
twelve  meml)ers,  ba])tizing  in  the  Sunflower  Kiver  at 
Garvin's  Ferry.  This  historian  has  l)een  in  the  water 
at  that  ferry  on  a  like  occasion. 

In  1872,  Bi-ooks  left  Coahoma,  Bolivar  and  Wash- 
ington to  others,  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Sunflower 
county.  Here  he  resorted  to  "tent-making''  to  provide 
for  his  family.  He  taught  school  for  ten  months  in  the 
vear,  ]3reaching  on  Saturday  and  Sunda3'.  In  the  fall 
of  1772,  he  organized  Mt.  Moriah  and  OHve  Branch 
<?hurches.  About  that  time  Sparkman  left  the  Delta 
work,  but  K.  A.  Lea  came  into  the  swamj)  and  took 
his  place.  \V.  I).  Powell,  of  Tennessee,  became  pastor 
at  Greenville.  Lewis  Ball  had  to  leave  the  work  on 
account  of  sickness,  but  Dr.  W'm.  L.  Stack,  long  a  resi- 
dent of  Pontotoc,  took  his  work. 

A  little  later,  about  1875  or  187G,  a  church  was 
established  at  McXutt,  which  joined  their  work  with 
the  Yazoo  Association  on  the  east.  At  that  time 
churches  dottc  1  tJK'  ntrt'.icrn  part  of  the  Delta,  but  very 
little  work  ha  I  l)jcn  d.)  i  ■  in  the  lower  ])art. 

In  1877,  the  Sunflower  Association  was  divided  in 
twain.  It  was  then  composed  of  twenty -two  churches, 
and  its  territory  embraced  five  counties.  It  was  di- 
vided for  tlic   sake  of  convenience.     The   Sunflower  As- 


.980  IIISTOKV     OF     MISSISSIPPI    BAPTISTS. 

sociation  was  to  occupy  the  northern  part  of  the  Delta, 
and  the  new  association  the  southern  part.  The  only 
apparent  unfairness  in  the  division  was  that  the  south- 
ern part,  or  the  new  association,  had  the  able  ministers. 
Other  churches  were  organized  between  1870  and  1877, 
.such  as  Jones'  Bayou,  Rolling  Fork,  Mound  Bayou, 
Lake  Washington,  and  a  church  on  CassacU'  Bayou. 

The  division  of  the  Sunflower  Association  into  two 
bodies  was  so  indistinct  as  to  hold  them  bound  to- 
gether by  a  ministerial  tie.  The  ministers  of  each  asso- 
ciation were  to  l)e  members  of  l3oth  associations.  Their 
idea  seems  to  have  l)een  to  have  two  bodies,  as  the  old 
Sunflower  Association  was  s]3read  over  such  an  extent 
of  territory  as  to  make  it  very  diliicult  to  secure  an 
attendance  of  delegates.  As  the  people  liefore  the  flood, 
they  wished  some  tie  to  bind  them  together.  But  they 
found  their  arrangement  irregular  and  confusing. 

The  new  association  was  called  the  "Brooksville 
Baptist  Association."  A.  D.  Brooks  informs  us  that 
the  name  \vas  suggested  l3y  Mrs.  M.J.  Nelson.  It  car- 
ried that  naine  until  after  18S1.  When  its  name  was 
changed  to  the  Deer  Creek  Association  is  not  at  present 
known,  as  many  of  the  Minutes  of  the  proceedings  of 
the  first  meetings  are  entirely  lost.  But  the  change 
must  have  been  made  in  1882  or  in  1883. 

The  Brooksville  Association  was  organized  at 
Pleasant  Hope  church,  in  the  Barefoot  Colony  on  Deer 
Creek  in  1877.  A  member  of  the  Association  in  1878 
by  the  name  of  Holman  was  clerk  of  that  body, 
and  R.  A.  Lea  was  moderator  in  1879.  In  1879,  the 
Pleasant  Hope  church  was  the  largest  in  the  union, 
having  117  members,  and  the  Olive  Branch  church  the 
smallest,  having  only  nine  members.  The  churches 
were  all  small  at  that  time,  except  the  Pleasant  Hope- 
and  the  Bethlehem  (Indianola)  churches. 


HISTORY     t)F     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  981 

In  ISSO.  the  Hrookslk-rd  iiK-t  with  tlic  church  at 
Lake  Washitiyton.  Four  chnrclics  out  ol'  nine  com- 
posin<4-  the  body  were  not  represented  by  letter  or  dele- 
jjates.  E.  E.  Smith  was  ])resent  as  a  messenj^er  from 
the  Vazoo  Association,  and  \V.  B.  Lumbly  and  L.  J. 
Rather  from  tlie  Central.  R.  A.  Lea  was  their  modera- 
tor, E.  I).  Daveni)()rt  clerk,  and  E.  E.  Smith,  treasurer. 
R.  \V.  Merrill  was  a  meml)cr  of  the  body,  bein.ii'  one  of 
the  dele,!4"ates  from  Bethlehem  church. 

At  that  time  the  Brooksfield  Association  eml:)raced 
in  its  territory  all  of  four  counties  and  a  ])art  of  two 
more,  and  it  was  said  that  there  ous<ht  to  be  more 
churches  in  jiny  one  of  the  counties  than  they  had  in  all. 
The  State  Mission  Board  was  asked  to  occupy  as  many 
important  points  in  the  Delta  as  possible,  and  the 
closest  co-operation  with  the  Board  was  promised. 
The  Association  did  not  have  an  Executive  Board  to 
look  after  the  destitution  in  their  bounds,  and  to 
raise  funds  to  carry  on  their  associationjd  work.  The 
session  of  1884  was  notable  for  two  (2)  facts.  The 
name  of  the  Association  was  then  the  Deer  Ci'cek  Baj)- 
tist  Association,  and  A.  D.  Brc^oks  was  not  amont*"  the 
delegates  which  composed  the  body.  Few  men  of  our 
denomination  have  accomplished  more  in  the  same 
lent^th  of  time  than  A.  D.  Brooks  did  between  1870 
and  1880  in  the  Delta  work.  If  living  at  this  time  he 
is  at  Milford,  Texas,  in  the  76th  year  of  his  age,  and 
has  been  ])reaching  forty-four  years. 

The  session  of  1884-  was  held  with  the  Friendship 
church  in  BoHvar  county.  T.J.  Bailey  and  K.W.  Merrill 
were  received  as  messengers  from  the  Vazoo.\ssociation. 
We  find  th;it  A.  Taylor  and  E.  E.  Smith  were  members 
of  the  body.  No  work  was  reported  as  done  by  the 
Association,  and  Lake  Washington,  Leona,  \'ickland 
and  Bethlehem  churches  were  not  represented. 


9S2  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  session  of  ISS,")  was  liekl  with  the  OhveBraneh 
chureh  in  the  month  of  Aut^ust.  E.  E.  Smith  was 
chosen  moderator,  R.  W.  Merrill  clerk,  and  J.C.  Lusb^^ 
treasurer.  Seven  churches  Avere  represented  l)y  dele- 
gates. The  churches  had  received  by  baptism  an  ag- 
gregate of  thirty  members,  and  twentj^  had  been  re- 
ceived In'  letter.  The  total  membership  reported  was 
227.  Three  churches  \vei"e  not  represented — Greenville, 
Lake  Washington  and  Leona. 

Lewis  Ball,  who  was  representing  the  Convention 
Board,  wrote  the  report  "On  Missions."'  The  old  hero 
of  many  battles  was  still  at  the  head  of  the  column, 
leading  onto  victory  and  encouraging  others  to  greater 
zeal,  sacrifice  and  laljors.  He  could  not  stay  his  hand 
or  restrain  his  tongue  when,  like  Jeremiah,  he  had  a 
message  from  the  Lord  to  deliver.  He  was  always  and 
everywhere  zealous,  ])ut  his  zeal  \vas  quickened  wdien 
on  his  favorite  field  of  lalior,  the  Delta.  With  emphasis 
he  asked  the  question,  "Cannot  the  Baptists  of  Missis- 
sippi give  one  dollar  a  member  to  have  the  gospel 
preached  to  the  world?"  He  said  the  ten  churches  of 
the  Deer  Creek  Association  were  amply  al)le  to  sustain 
a  missionary  in  their  bounds. 

Prohibition,  Sunday  schools,  Mississippi  College 
and  Ministerial  Educcition  were  all  reported  upon  and 
the  reports  well  discussed.  The  session  closed  after 
pledges  were  made  amounting  to  $322.95  for  the  sup- 
port of  a  missionary  "within  our  associational  bounds." 

In  the  session  of  1886,  J.  E.  Watts  was  still  in  the 
chair  as  moderator.  He  also  preached  the  introduc- 
tory sermon  on  "The  Divine  Presence  with  the  people 
of  God."'  That  year  delegates  from  eleven  churches 
composed  the  body.  These  churches  had  a  total  mem- 
bership of  387,  which  was  a  third  more  than  the 
churches  reported  the  N'car  l)efore. 


IIISTOKV     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  983 

On  the  tirst  of  January.  l.SS(),  A.  Taylor  entered  the 
field  as  missionary,  working'  in  the  l)(nnids  ot  the  Asso- 
ciation under  the  joint  commission  of  their  Executive 
Board  jind  the  State  Convention  Board,  at  a  salary  of 
$<)r).00  a  month.  From  the  first  of  January  to  the 
2ord  day  of  Auii,ust  he  traveled  2,()()2  miles,  made  268 
religious  visits,  preached  (>2  sermons.  I'our  persons 
had  licen  received  by  biiptism  and  four  by  letter:  one 
Sunday  school  had  l)een  or^J^anized  hy  him ;  six  sub- 
scriliers  for  the  Baptist  Record  received,  and  $158.40 
collected,  besides  $873.50  pledged  by  the  churches  and 
individuals  fi)r  the  continuance  of  the  work. 

The  committee  on  Sunday  schools  rcjjorted  a  "de- 
cided imjjrovemcnt  in  the  Sunday  schools  of  our  Asso- 
ciation over  the  last  year."  The  report  on  I*rohibition 
condemned  whiskey  drinking-  and  the  sij^ninia^  of  whis- 
key ])etitions  by  the  members  of  Biiptist  churches,  find 
reconnnended  that  such  members  should  be  excluded 
from  tellowship  in  their  respective  churches. 

The  report  on  Missions  was  i^resented  by  W.  AI. 
Broadawciy.  In  the  rc])ort  the  body  was  reminded  of 
the  perishing  millions  who  had  not  the  u;ospel,  and 
ur<i"ed  the  churches  to  heed  Christ's  call  to  ij^ive  them 
the  bread  of  life.  \V.  AI.  Broadaway  was  in  those  days 
an  energetic  coljjorteur.  He  sold  many  i^ood  books  to 
the  peo})le  in  the  Delta.  Wiien  this  historian  was  jjresi- 
dent  of  the  old  State  Mission  Borird,  Broadaway  wrote 
him,  in  a  monthly  report,  that  lie  had  sold  nearlv  all 
the  books  he  had  received,  and  had  the  remainder  on  a 
floatini;"  raft  of  timl)er  on  his  way  down  the  Vazoo 
River,  seeking  a  market  tor  them. 

In  lSS7,the  Association  met  with  the  church  at  Mc- 
Nutt,  LcHore  comity.  Henry  I). White  was, by  un^mimous 
vote,  elected    moderator.     One   year   excei)te(l,  he    held 


DS4  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

this  distinction  in  the  liody  until  1S95.  the  year  of  his 
tleath.  Henry  D.  White  was  not  great  as  a  ]>ulpit 
orator,  l)ut  s^reat  in  his  zeal,  efficiency,  and  imtirini*' 
<levotion  to  the  cause  of  Christ.  In  his  early  years, 
lie  served  the  Choctaw  Association  as  missionary  in 
their  l)ounds  with  a  remarkable  degree  of  success.  He 
was  with  the  most  eminent  in  usefulness  in  the  Delta 
work.  He  loved  the  cause  of  Christ  better  than  hivS 
i)\vn  life.  R.  A.  Cohron,  the  worthy  apostle  of  the 
Delta,  once  said  that  H.  D.  White  had  in  him  the  ma- 
terial of  a  martyr. 

Tlie  Association  roll  showed  an  increase  in  the 
nium't'yer  of  churches.  Fourteen  churches  \vere  repre- 
sented, which  were  supplied  b\'  ten  pastors.  The  total 
membership  in  the  churches  had  grown  to  »523.  -Under 
the  better  organization  of  their  church  Avork,  their  con- 
tributions had  largely  increased.  E.  E.  King,  then  pas- 
tor at  Greenville,  and  secretary-  of  the  Associational 
Board,  reported  $317.05  collected  by  that  agency  and 
sent  to  the  Convention  Board.  A.  Taylor  had  collected 
on  his  field  $256.10  for  State  missions.  Other  contri- 
luxitions  were:  For  Mississippi  College  $45.00,  for 
Home  missions  $76.56,  for  Ministerial  Education 
$60.00,  for  the  poor  $4.56,  for  Sunday  schools  $350.00 
for  pastors'  salary  $1,207.50,  and  for  other  purposes 
.$21.00,  making  a  grand  aggregate  of  $2,367.65. 

E.  E.  King  read  the  report  on  Foreign  missions. 
He  told  of  twelve  missionaries  who  had  gone  to  foreign 
fields,  and  said  that  "J.  T.  Roberts,  of  our  own  rich 
valley,"  sold  his  plantation,  and  went  at  his  own  ex- 
,pense  to  Africa.  A.  Taylor,  in  his  report  on  State  mis- 
sions, said:  ^'In  the  Deer  Creek  Association  there  is 
more  money  given,  more  preaching  done,  and  more 
4)aptisms   this  year  than  in  any  other  year  of  its  his 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  985 

torv."'  Temperance,  I*ul)lieati()ns,  the  Spiritual  Con- 
dition ot"  the  Churches,  Duties  of  Deacons,  Mississippi 
Colleije,  and  Ministerial  Bdueation,  were  all  duly  con- 
sidered. 

It  is  supposed  that  the  Association  had  no  <;^ather- 
ini^-  in  1<S8<S,  as  the  body  adjourned  in  1887  to  meet  in 
Indianola,  and  met  in  that  ])lace  in  1S89.  In  1888  was 
the  .ureat  yellow  fever  scare.  In  the  fall  of  that  year 
there  was  a  ^rcjit  ])anic,  and  very  little  fever  nearer 
than  Jacksonville,  Florida.  It  is  ])robable  that  the 
Deer  Creek  had  no  session  that  year. 

In  1889,  there  were  the  names  of  twenty-two 
churches  on  the  associational  roll,  which  reported  a 
total  membership  of  G29.  That  year  eight  (8)  new 
churches  were  received  into  the  union  :  Hay's  Chai)el, 
Leland,  Glen  Allen,  Rolling  Fork,  Bethany,  Jones'  Bayou, 
Shaw  and  .\reola.  \'.  II.  Nelson  was  then  j)astor  at 
Indianola,  and  was  in  the  meeting  of  the  Association. 
He  was  trom  that  time  on  one  of  the  trio  of  leaders  of 
the  activity  of  the  body.  K.  A.  Cohron,  V.  H.  Nelson, 
and  H.  D.  White.  We  shall  see  more  of  tbem.  Brooks, 
Watts,  Ashford,  and  others,  as  hardy  pioneers,  had 
broken  up  the  fallow  ground,  had  cast  in  the  good 
seed  which  had  fallen  on  good  ground,  which  germin- 
ated and  grew  to  maturity,  and  these  reapers  came 
into  the  harvest  held  singing  the  song  of  tlie  "  Harvest 
Home." 

The  report  on  the  Si)iritual  Condition  of  the 
Churches  had  this  language:  "The  spiritUcal  condition 
of  the  churches  shows  a  marked  imjjrovement.  Acces- 
sions to  membershi])  and  renewed  and  increased  activ- 
ity in  every  good  word  and  work,  shows  an  increase  in 
interest  and  attendance.  There  are  large  congregations, 
more  jirayer  meetings,  more  Sunday  .schools  than  for- 
me rl  v.'" 


986  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

That  year  \V.  T.  Lowrey,  president  of  Blue  Aloun- 
tain  Female  Collei^e,  was  at  their  session.  Pie  had  his 
eye  on  the  Delta  asaresoureefiil  field  for  female  e()lle<j^es. 
He  reeeived  liberal  patronage  for  his  sehool  about  that 
time  from  the  Delta,  and  his  students  returned  from  his 
institution  of  learning"  fully  ecjuipped  to  ])reside  over 
homes  with  ijraee,  eulture  and  ease. 

J.  T.  Christian,  then  seeretary  of  the  Convention 
Board,  was  at  the  Association  in  the  interest  of  State 
evans^elization.  He  proposed  to  have  donated  to  their 
work  $1,000,  if  an  ec|ual  amount  would  be  i^iven  by 
the  churches  for  that  object. 

Before  the  annual  meeting-  in  Greenville  in  1890, 
E.  E.  King  had  left  Greenville  to  assume  the  responsi- 
bilities of  a  ])astor£ite  in  San  Antonio,  Texas.  The 
vacant  pulpit  had  been  supplied  by  a  call  extended  to 
William  Henr\"  Strickland,  of  Georgia.  Strickland  was 
H  strong  man,  and  one  of  the  ablest  preachers  we  have 
had  in  Greenville,  but  could  not  vSupply  the  place  of 
E.  E.  King,  who  was  honored,  reverenced,  and  sought 
lor  special  occasions  ol  a  religious  character  all  over 
the  Delta. 

At  thfit  time  the  Lord  was  prep^iring  another  man 
for  extended  usefulness  in  the  Delta.  That  man  was 
R.  A.  Cohron.  He  was  in  broken  health.  He  was  com- 
pelled to  resign  his  work  in  \'icksburg  and  go  to  Lithia 
Springs,  (ia.,  to  .seek  the  virtue  of  their  healing  waters. 
\'ery  little  hope  was  entertained  as  to  his  final  recovery. 
But  the  corn  must  be  crushed  in  the  mill  before  good 
bread  can  be  served.  R.  A.  Cohron  found  the  medical 
properties  in  the  water  that  lie  needed  and  slowly 
recovered.  His  church  at  Vicksburg  had  been  in  the 
Deer  Creek  Association  for  a  year  or  two,  and  he  ap- 
preciated the  greatness  of  the  Delta  work.     He  induced 


HISTOKV     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  9S7 

the  \'icks])urLi- clnnvh  to  leave  the  Central  Assoeiatioii 
and  join  the  Deer  Creek,  to  form  a  stron^j;^  base  of  sup- 
ply and  eo-operatlon  with  the  Delta  work.  The  eivic 
and  commereial  relations  of  \'ieksbur*2^  were  with  the 
Delta,  and  it  was  thous^ht  wise  to  aliun  themselves 
with  the  work  in  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

The  session  at  Greenville  was  an  inspiration,  and 
the  delei^ates  went  baek  to  their  ehurehes  full  of  zeal, 
and  with  the  determination  to  do  j.jreat  thin«>s  for  the 
Master  during  tlie  coming"  year.  The  Executive  Board 
was  re-ori^anized.  K.  A.  Cohron  was  ])ut  in  the  ])lace 
of  E.  Iv.  Kin^-,  the  retiring-  secretary.  This  action  as- 
sured the  reaping-  of  lar^e  measures  ot  success  in  the 
coming-  years,  DurintJ-  the  3'ear  they  had  four  mission- 
aries in  the  field,  the  Convention  Board  payinj^'  one- 
half  the  expenses,  and  the  Deer  Creek  the  other  half. 

The  session  of  1891  was  held  with  the  Jones'  Bayou 
church,  twenty-one  churches  being  represented.  \'.  H. 
Nelson  preached  the  associational  sermon,  R.  A.  Coh- 
ron reported  for  the  Executive  Board.  They  had  five 
missionaries  in  the  field  during  the  year  on  their  affiliat- 
ing plan  with  the  Convention  Bo^ird.  Their  sakiries 
had  been  j^romptly  paid,  and  $44.75  remained  in  the 
treasury.  The  statistical  table  showed  that  the  churches 
had  given  to  i)astors' s^dary  $4,558.00,  to  church  build- 
ings $1,691.75,  and  to  other  objects,  including  missions, 
making  a  total  contribution  of  $7,8o4.()0.  The  total 
membership  of  the  churches  was  9S1.  The  Committee 
on  .Apportionment  asked  the  churches  to  raise  $1,600, 
exclusive  of  i)astors'  salary  and  church  expenses. 

The  Deer  Creek  Association  met  with -the  Pleasant 
Hope  church,  October  l,'].  1S9L'.  H.  D.  White  was 
moderator,  j.  \l.  Lewis  clerk,  and  j.  T.  I'arrar,  treas- 
urer.     There    were    then    twentv-five   churches    in    tlie 


988  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

union,  with  a  total  menil)ershi|)  of  1,047.  They  had 
paid  their  pastors  $4,831.75,  and  given  to  Foreign 
missions  $105.75,  to  Home  missions  $19.00,  to  State 
missions  $616.90,  to  Ministerial  Education  $166.20, 
and  to  Mississippi  College  $67.50.  During  that  year, 
the  Executive  Board  established  the  custom  of  having 
a  three  daA's'  meeting  with  some  one  of  the  churches, 
including  each  fifth  Sunday  in  the  year.  These  meet- 
ings Avere  highly  beneficial  to  the  churches  where  they 
were  held,  and  helpful  to  the  work. 

John  James  concluded  his  report  on  State  missions 
with  this  language:  "  We  Baptists  of  the  Deer  Creek 
Association  should  take  a  retrospective  view  of  the 
Avork  that  has  been  done  by  the  Convention  Board  in 
our  territory,  and  prove  our  appreciation  of  these 
efforts  by  pushing  forward  with  renewed  vigor  and 
greater  zeal  in  the  cause  of  missions,  until  the  motto  of 
our  Board  is  realized,  'A  Baptist  church  and  a  Baptist 
Sunda\^  school  in  every  community." "' 

R.  A.  Cohron  writes  thus  about  their  relations  to 
the  year  1893  :  "  This  will  be  a  sad,  weary  year  to  some 
of  lis  who  have  toiled  side  by  side  through  long  A^ears 
of  loving  service.  White  is  still  at  the  helm,  piloting 
Avith  broken  nerves  and  unsteady  hand  the  little  barque 
which  has  been  sent  out  on  the  current  of  Christian 
endeavor.  He  does  not  know  it,  but  he  will  not  return 
next  year  to  greet  his  brethren ;  he  will  be  too  feeble, 
and  the  year  after  he  will  go  up  to  meet  the  shining 
ranks  of  glorified  spirits.  And  she  who  has  walked 
with  me  during  twenty-four  years,  has  grown  weary 
in  life's  wearing  conflicts,  and  has  gone  up  from  the 
<lust  and  smoke  of  battle  to  'rest  from  her  toils.'  In 
the  fall  of  the  year  R.  A.  Cohron  will  quit  the  field  for  a 
year;  his  home   has   been   invaded   and   broken  up  by 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  989* 

death."  He  went  to  the  Soutlieni  Baptist  Theolo.^ieal 
Seminary,  wliere  he  studied  the  word  of  the  disposer  of 
human  affairs,  where  he  staved  until  his  fiery  si)irit  for 
work  in  the  Delta  returned  to  him,  to  show  himself  in 
truth  the  irresistible  apostle  to  tiie  Delta,  and  to  make 
a  reeord  that  will  he  an  inspiration  to  the  one  who 
lonjj^s  to  l)e  useful. 

The  sessionof  1S94- was  held  with  the  Bethel  ehurch 
in  Oetoher.  Sure  enoui;h,  Henry  D.  White  was  not  at 
the  tjatherin^-  of  the  representatives  of  the  ehurehes, 
and  W.  L.  A.  Stranbursj:  was  ehosen  as  moderator,  with 
J.  M.  Lewis  as  elerk,  and  M    C.  Middleton,  treasurer. 

With  the  missing  name  of  White  were  a  number  of 
others  at  that  gatheriniiof  their  people.  AI.  E.  Broadus 
had -gone  to  Greenville,  and  other  changes  were  marked. 
But  it  is  to  be  notieed  that  J.  K.  Hughes  was  pastor 
at  Indianola  and  Leona,  J.  F.  Thomjjson  at  Bear  Creek, 
E.  M.  Alobley  at  Cold  Lake  and  Loeh  Lc^nond,  and 
J.  H.  Boyett  at  \'icksl3urg.  From  some  eause,  eleven 
churches  were  not  represented,  and  the  decrease  in  the 
contributions  was  about  fifteen  jx-r  cent.  ()n]v$4-4-3.50 
had  been  received  for  associational  missions  against 
$616.90  in  1S92. 

In  1S95,  the  Associiition  convened  at  Sidon.  M.  E. 
Broadus  was  chosen  moderator,  and  J.  Fink  Smith, 
clerk.  Delegates  were  present  from  nineteen  churches. 
The  contributions  by  the  churches  to  various  objects 
was  only  $957.10,  and  the  amount  i)£iid  ])astors  was 
smaller  than  usual.  What  was  the  matter?  Henrv 
White  was  gone.  His  persistent  appeals  for  money  for 
Christ's  sake  had  l)een  hushed  by  the  palsving  touch  of 
death.  Cohron  had  not  gotten  out  of  the  gloaming. 
It  was  difiicult  for  him  to  get  used  to  ha  ving  a  part  of 
himself  under  the  irreen  sod. 


^90  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

At  that  session  the  plan  of  co-operation  with  the 
Convention  Board  was  chani^ed.  The  entire  work  of 
eniph)ying"  and  paying  missionaries  was  turned  over 
to  tlie  Convention  Board,  and  the  churches  re([uested 
to  send  their  contril)utions  to  all  missions,  direct,  to 
the  s"2cretary  of  the  Convention  Board.  Durini^:  the 
year  several  new  fields  had  been  opened  up  by  the  mis- 
sionaries, Itta  Bena  and  Biacre  among  them.  C.  H. 
Mize  l3egan  work  at  Boyle,  and  W.  vS.  Blackman  at 
F'lower  Hill. 

The  session  of  1S96  was  held  with  the  church  at 
Indianola.  At  that  meeting-  Big  Sunfiower,  Quiver, 
and  Spanish  Fort  churches  were  added  to  the  union. 
At  that  time  it  was  the  custom  to  apjjoint  "standing- 
committees,"  which  could  through  the  year  gather 
facts  concerning-  the  needs  and  work  of  the  Association, 
State  Convention  and  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention. 

In  1896,  R,  A.  Cohron  was  with  them,  and  again 
enthusiastic  in  the  Delta  work.  R.  A.  Cohron  was 
born  in  the  State  of  Georgia,  August  1,  1842.  When 
he  was  five  years  of  age  his  parents  moved  to  Carroll 
county,  Alississippi,  and  made  their  home  near  old 
Shongalo.  In  the  year  of  1859,  he  entered  the  sopho- 
more class  in  the  University  of  Mississippi,  and  in  1869 
he  was  graduated  from  the  law  school  of  Lebanon, 
Tennessee,  after  which  time  he  practiced  law  six  years. 
He  joined  the  Vaid^n  church  in  1867.  He  was  for  more 
than  two  years  a  deacon  in  the  Vaiden  church,  and 
was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry  about 
1873.  He  has  l^een  successful  in  all  his  ministerial 
work,  but  has  reaped  the  largest  measure  of  success  in 
the  Delta  work. 

At  the  meeting  of  that  year,  help  was  given  toward 
the  erection  of  a  church  at  Shaw.     The  letters  from  the 


HISTORY     OP^     MISSISSIPI'I      HAPTISTS.  991 

chnrchcs  showed  that  they  had  reeeived  durin^^  the 
assoeiational  3'ear  128  persons  l)y  baptism,  and  that 
the  total  menil)ership  of  the  churches  was  1,H74-.  The 
total  contributions  of  the  churches,  exclusive  of  jjastors' 
salary,  was  $1,237.95. 

The  year  1897  was  a  year  of  disasters  for  the  people 
of  the  Mississipi)i  Valley.  In  the  sprin^-,  there  was  a 
jjeneral  overflow  in  the  Delta,  the  waters  coverins^'  the 
entire  middle  and  lower  ])art  of  this  re^iion  of  country, 
except  the  highest  places,  from  the  embankments  of  the 
Ya>:oo  and  Mississip])i  \'alley  Railroad  on  the  west  to 
the  hills  on  the  east.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  summer 
there  was  a  ])anic  caused  by  the  appearance  of  yello\v 
fever,  and  in  the  winter  the  price  of  cotton  went  down 
to  four  and  five  cents  a  pound.  The  meetini^  of  the 
Association  was  ])osti3oned  until  the  19th  of  November, 
but  only  seventeen  delciiates  were  ])resent  as  represent- 
iitives  ot  the  churches.  R.  A.  Cohron  was  chosen  mod- 
erator, and  \'.  H.  Nelson  clerk. 

A  sketch  of  the  life  of  \'.  H.  Nelson  can  be  found  in 
Foster's  Mississijjpi  Baptist  Preachers.  Ajiart  from 
^vhat  is  said  of  him  in  that  book,  it  is  but  just  to  the 
history  of  the  Delta  woik  to  state  some  facts  about 
him.  Me  has  Ijcen  one  of  the  three  men  who  have  led 
on  to  development  the  churches  so  wisely  plantetl  ])y 
Feryferson,  Watts,  Ball,  Spark  man  and  Brooks.  With 
Cohron  and  White,  he  joined  hands  for  the  development 
of  Bai)tist  i)ossibilities  in  the  most  fertile  country  the 
sun  shines  upon,  lie  has  labored  without  ceasing,  all 
the  while  suffering-  from  a  sore  throat  that  defied  the 
skill  of  ])hysicians.  In  rain  and  nuul  he  has  traveled 
for  hours,  and  then  preached  with  his  throat  rasped  by 
every  utterance. 

just  here,  merited  ])raise  should  bc*iiven  to  A.  Tay- 


992  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

lor.  He  was  for  many  years  the  missionary  of  the 
body  alon^  the  Yazoo  River  and  in  the  southern  part 
of  the  Delta,  frequently  traveling  in  dugouts  to  reach 
a  small  settlement  of  people  to  hold  for  them  a  religious 
service.  Men  of  all  callings  and  faiths  in  that  part  of 
the  Delta  still  hold  him  in  pleasant  memory,  and  speak 
kindh'  of  his  work. 

At  the  meeting  of  1897,  attention  was  given  to  the 
reorganization  of  their  work.  The  successive  calami- 
ties of  plague  and  overflow,  and  the  stringency  of 
money  matters  had  a  damaging  effect  on  their  under- 
takings. At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Convention 
Board  in  the  winter  of  1896,  R.  A.  Cohron  was  ap- 
pointed general  missionary  in  the  Association  for  half 
time;  the  other  half  he  gave  to  churches  as  pastor. 
He  entered  the  w^ork  heartily,  and  with  a  zest  that  had 
a  telling  effect.  He  was  in  labors  abundant,  and  in 
success  most  encouraging. 

iigain,  in  1898,  the  yellow  fever  was  in  the  State, 
and  in  some  of  the  towns  of  the  Delta.  The  meeting  of 
the  Deer  Creek  Association  had  to  Ik-  postponed  until 
November  the  17th,  and  even  then  there  was  a  small 
representation  of  the  churches.  R.  A.  Cohron  was 
elected  moderator  and  V.  H.  Nelson,  clerk.  P.  I.  Lipsey 
had  returned  to  the  State  to  become  pastor  at  Green- 
wood, and  was  a  visitor  at  the  .\ssociation. 

A.  Taylor  presented  the  report  on  Publications. 
He  reported  that  a  joint  stock  company  had  been 
formed,  which  had  purchased  the  Layman  and  the 
Record,  and  that  the  interests  of  the  two  papers  had 
been  consolidated,  and  the  new  stock  company  was 
giving  the  denomination  a  neat  and  well-gotten  up 
paper,  called  The  Baptist. 

The    Mississippi     Baptist     Orphanage     had     been 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  99.^ 

founded  In^  Loveless  S.  Foster  at  Jackson,  Miss.,  and 
to  it  the  Deer  Creek  gave  hearty  approval,  and  pledged 
to  it  svmpath}'  and  support.  C.  H.  Mize  wrote  the 
report  on  State  missions.  He  recommended  that  the 
Association  urge  the  Home  Board  to  aid  the  Deer  Creek 
and  Sunflower  associations  in  their  efforts  to  supply 
the  destitute  portions  of  the  Delta  with  the  gospel.  It 
is  true  that  the  Home  Board  was  helping  the  Baptists- 
of  Mississippi  at  that  time  1)3^  a  co-operation  with  the 
Convention  Board,  to  which  the  Home  Board  sent 
money  every  year.  The  Convention  Board  was  help- 
ing the  Deer  Creek  Association.  So  it  appears  that 
indirectly  the  Home  Board  was  helping  them. 

In  1899,  the  Association  met  with  the  church  at 
Itta  Bena.  The  delegates  from  the  churches  assembled 
with  cheerful  faces  to  report  the  good  work  done  by 
their  respective  churches.  K.  A.  Cohron  was  elected 
moderator,  W.  M.  Burr  was  made  clerk,  and  Stacy 
Lord,  treasurer. 

The  di{y  before  the  beginning  of  the  session,  a  num- 
Ix'r  of  the  delegates  from  the  churches  met  in  Leland 
for  the  purpose  of  spending  the  day  in  pmyer,  that 
they  might  have  the  manifest  presence  and  i)o\ver  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  prosecution  and  enlargement  of 
the  Delta  work.  After  satisfactory  devotional  exer- 
cises, they  framed  a  resolution  to  present  to  their  asso- 
ciation, known  as  the  "Resolution  from  the  Leland 
Conference.*'     We  will  give  the  resolution: 

'^Resolved,  That  we  re(|uest  the  Deer  Creek  Associa- 
tion to  re(|uest  the  State  Board  to  send  into  the  Delta, 
as  early  as  possible,  two  more  thorough  missionary 
organizers,  for  the  purpose  of  working  in  any  and  all 
centers  where  wisdom  indicates  that  a  church  ought  to 
be  located,  requesting  also  that  the  Sunflower  .\ssocia- 
tion  join  in  this  reciuest.'' 


■994  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  resolution  was  adopted  by  the  Association, 
and  the  recjuest  made  known  to  the  Convention  Board- 
At  the  next  meeting  of  that  Board,  which  was  held  in 
December,  K.  A.  Cohron  was  commissioned  to  enter  the 
lield  as  general  missionary  to  the  Delta.  That  apostle 
to  the  Delta  ^vas  aglow  with  zeal  in  the  work,  and 
buoyed  by  hope,  and  sustained  b^'  a  serene  confidence 
in  the  Lord,  whom  he  was  serving  in  the  UvSe  of  all  his 
endowments  of  nature  and  grace.  His  was  a  hard 
work.  Exposure  to  foul  weather,  the  wear  of  constantly 
i^,oing  without  rest  or  home,  the  pett^-  objections  that 
were  to  be  met,  the  uncertain  undergirding  he  was  to 
receive  in  the  Delta  and  from  the  State,  and  the  care  of 
all  the  churches  were  to  be  borne  on  wearied  shoulders. 

All  the  reports  ot  that  session  looked  to  the  enlarge- 
ment of  their  work  at  home  and  abroad.  These  em- 
phatic words  are  found  in  the  report  on  Home  missions 
made  by  H.  F.  Sproles,  then  pastor  of  the  First  Church 
of  Vicksl)urg :  "  We  ask  that  all  who  love  God,  and 
love  their  country,  and  love  humanity,  unite  in  one 
earnest  effort  to  Ijring  America  to  Christ,  that  Christ 
may  use  America  in  the  world's  redemption."  The 
report  also  recommended  that  F.  H.  Kerfoot,  sec- 
retary of  the  Home  Board,  be  invited  to  visit  the 
Delta,  at  the  earliest  practicable  time,  and  personally 
exiimine  its  missionary  work  and  prospects,  that  his 
Board  ma^'  give  larger  hel]3  to  their  immediate  and 
pressing  demands. 

The  following  is  the  showing  made  in  the  statisti- 
cal table  of  that  year :  The  churches  had  received  by 
letter  45,  by  baptism  57,  and  had  restored  12,  and  ex- 
cluded <S.  They  had  given  to  State  missions  $254.49, 
to  Home  missions  $209.20,  to  Foreign  missions 
-$3024-0,    to    pastors"    salary   $5,640.35,    to    Minutes 


niSTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  995 

$45.05,  to  Ministerial  Education  $24.36,  Sustcntation 
$2.00,  to  Orphans'  Home  $67. 07,  to  the  relief  of  the 
poor  $00.05,  to  ehurch  expenses  $1,290.30,  to  Missis- 
sipi)i  College  $230.75,  to  building  and  repairing 
churches  $702.75,  and  to  other  i)urposes  $219.69. 

The  session  of  the  Deer  Creek  Association  of  1900, 
met  October  the  iSth  atLeland,  in  Washington  county. 
Tlie  officers  of  tlie  body  consisted  of  Stacy  Lord,  mod- 
erator, \V.  AI.  Burr,  clerk  and  J.  J.  Richards,  treasurer, 
Avho  were  each  elected  without  o])p(jsition.  The  An- 
guilla  chureli  was  received  into  the  union.  Reports 
were  made  on  the  objects  of  benevolence  fostered  by 
the  Association. 

In  that  closing  year  of  the  century,  they  gave  to 
State  missions  $590.75,  to  Home  missions  $300.35,  to 
Foreign  missions  $3S9.95.  These  figures  show  that 
their  contribution  for  these  objects  were  in  advance  of 
the  year  previous  l)y  $332.26  to  State  missions,  $91.15 
to  Home  missions,  and  $S7.49  to  Foreign  missions. 

The  work  done  by  tlie  Deer  Creek  in  the  twenty- 
two  years  of  its  history  is  truly  gratifying  to  one  inter- 
ested in  the  evangelization  of  our  State.  The  move- 
ment was  all  tlie  time  onward,  and  the  progress  nota- 
ble. The  field  was  in  the  beginning  of  their  efforts 
destitute,  and  its  demands  enticing.  Some  of  the  most 
promising  men  of  the  hills  went  to  the  Delta  about  the 
time  the  Deer  Creek  .\ss()ciation  was  constituted. 
Many  of  them  lormed  tlie  l)asis  of  successful  work  in 
the  young  an i  growing  towns. 

But  that  which  imiMvssed  one  most  is  the  fine  mis- 
sionary spirit  disjjlayed  by  some  of  the  workers.  They 
labored  not  from  a  stern  sense  of  duty,  but  prompted 
to  effort  by  sjjlcndid  missionary  conviction.  The  real 
Avarrior  is  the  man  who  has  a  passion  for  battle,  and 


996  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

the  real  missionar}^  is  the  man  who  has  a  passion  for 
evangehzation.  Many  of  the  workers  in  the  Deer  Creek 
Association  had  this  passion,  beautifull}'  displayed  in 
their  earnest  efforts  and  consecrated  lives  The  names 
of  Brooks,  Nelson,  Taylor,  White  and  Cohron  need  be 
classed  with  the  world's  missionaries,  and  future  gener- 
ations will  award  them  the  merited  meed  of  praise. 

SUNFLOWER   ASSOCIATION. 

As  has  been  stated  the  Sunflower  Association  was 
organized  in  the  fall  of  1870,  at  vShuffordville.  Much 
of  the  history  of  this  bod^^  has  been  given  in  this  run- 
ning statement  of  facts  as  to  the  Delta  work.  This 
mode  of  treatment  of  the  Delta  work  has  been  deemed 
best,  as  it  gives  all  the  facts  in  a  more  interesting  way 
than  by  studied  statement  of  occurrences  in  the  asso- 
ciational  meetings  year  In^  year. 

The  division  of  the  Sunflower  Association  in  1877, 
restricted  its  associational  limits  to  the  northern  part 
of  the  Delta,  the  Deer  Creek  Association  in  the  division,, 
falling  heir  to  by  far  the  largest  part  of  the  Mississippi 
bottom.  The  territory  of  the  Sunflower  Association 
was  in  the  part  of  the  Delta  emliraced  in  the  counties 
of  Tunica,  Quitman,  Coahoma,  and  the  northern  part 
of  Bolivar  county. 

The  Sunflower  Association  has  maintained  a  heal- 
thy existence,  notwithstanding  its  unfavorable  environ- 
ments. Its  access  to  the  vital  force  of  Mississippi  Bap- 
tists was  indirect  and  toilsome.  The  only  railroad 
threading  their  territory  is  the  Yazoo  and  Mississippi 
Valley,  which  runs  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  and  far  south  by 
Vicksburg,  Miss.  Conseciuently  the  churches  have  had 
few  visitors  from  the  churches  of  the  hill  counties,  and 
thei'e  have  been  l3ut   few  representatives  of  the  general 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  997 

interests  of  Mississippi  Baptists  at  the  annual  associa- 
tional  meetino^s. 

Beside  these  unfavorable  environments,  we  must  in 
justice  notice  the  ftict  that  the  ministerial  force  of  the 
Association,  while  good,  has  not  at  any  time  been  nu- 
merous. By  referring  to  the  Minutes  of  18S7,  we  see 
that  there  were  only  four  ])astors  in  the  Association, 
W.  L.  Slack,  R.  A.  Lee,  B.  B.  Milam  and  E.  13.  Hustler. 

We  notice  also  that  at  that  date  there  were  nine 
(9)  churches  in  the  body,  with  a  total  membership  of 
14-8  persons,  which  shows  a  decrease  of  two  churches 
in  ten  (10)  A'cars.  Of  the  nine  churches  then  constitut- 
ing the  union,  only  five  (5)  were  represented  in  the  As- 
sociation, which  was  composed  of  seventeen  (17)  dele- 
gates. Manv  of  their  churches  were  weak,  and  iit  some 
centres  of  inHuence  there  were  no  churches  at  all.  All 
over  that  rich  countrv  there  were  many  as  sheep 
without  a  shepherd,  and  the  few  laborers  in  the  Sun- 
flower .Association,  largely  detached  from  their  breth- 
ren of  quick  spiritual  pulse  beat,  felt  that  they  were 
neglected.  E.  D.  Hustler,  all  that  his  name  indicated, 
was  their  missionary,  and  was  endeavoring  to  supply 
ten  mission  stations. 

A  little  later  their  force  was  augmented  by  the  ap- 
pearance in  their  midst  of  J.  \V.  Collins,  and  an  occti- 
sional  pastorate  of  H.  D.  White,  of  Vicksburg.  J.  W. 
Collins  was  born  in  De  Soto  county,  was  a  Ijrave  Con- 
federate soldier,  and  was  later  graduated  from  Missis- 
sippi College.  His  coming  among  them  was  hailed 
with  delight.  He  ])roved  to  be  a  successful  workman, 
^md  soon  arose  to  honor  and  great  usefulness.  In  1890, 
he  was  pastor  of  the  Sunflower  and  Lula  churches,  and 
the  newly  organized  church  at  Belen.  In  1890,  there 
Avere  ten  churches  in  the  Sunflower  Association  with  an 


99<S  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

aggregate  of  24-2  members,  which  shows  a  decided  in- 
crease of  memljership  in  three  years. 

For  many  years  previous  to  1890,  Dr.  Wm.  L. 
Slack  was  moderator  of  the  Association.  He  was  in 
earh'-  hfe  a  Presbyterian,  \n\t  finding  it  necessary  to 
satisf3'  a  Baptist  wife  as  to  the  spiritual  authority  for 
infant  baptism,  pursued  his  studies  on  that  point  of 
doctrine,  until  he  was  forced  b\' thought  and  conscience 
to  relinquish  his  belief  in  the  s]jrinkling  of  infants,  and 
became  a  Baptist.  He  was  a  well  informed  man,  a  be- 
loved ph3^sician,  a  splendid  teacher,  and  an  acceptable 
minister  of  the  gospel.  His  home  for  many  years  was 
in  the  town  of  Pontotoc. 

In  1891,  J.  M.  Chresman  began  to  preside  over  the 
body,  Dr.  Wm.  L.  Slack  having  resigned  his  work  at 
Friar's  Point,  and  First  Church,  Bolivar  count3',  to 
begin  work  with  one  of  the  churches  in  Alemphis.  At 
that  date,  the  enrollment  of  the  churches  was  thirteen, 
and  the  organization  of  their  work  notable.  Ten  com- 
mittees made  reports,  and  the  contributions  of  the 
churches  given  a  place  in  the  Minutes  in  itemized  form. 
The-  church  at  L3'on  had  walked  ahead  of  the  sister- 
hood of  churches  in  its  contributions.  It  reported 
.$100.00  paid  to  the  endowment  of  Mississippi  College, 
$44.00  sent  to  the  Convention  Board  for  missions,  and 
$225.00  paid  on  pastors'  salary.  Thomas  W.  White 
was  pastor  of  the  church. 

In  this  treatment  of  their  histor3'-  Iw  comparison, 
we  find  that  in  1894,  there  were  twelve  churches  in  the 
organization,  after  dropping  the  names  of  the  Friend- 
ship and  Bethel  churches.  The  churches  of  the  Associa- 
tion had  a  total  membership  of  382,  reporting  41  bap- 
tisms. Six  churches,  or  just  half,  reported  vSundav 
schools.     The  total  increase  of  the  3'ear  by  baptism  and 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  999 

otherwise  was  76,  the  decrease  21,  and  the  rerd  increase 
over  the  year  before  55  memljers. 

Two  more  facts  about  >  that  meeting- of  the  Sun- 
flower must  1)6  noticed.  Not  a  visitor  from  any  other 
association, "nor  a  represent;fitive  of  any  one  of  the  g^en- 
eral  benevolences~of  the  State  Convention  were  present. 
D.  H.  S.  Cox  was  a  member  of  the  body,  and  pastor  of 
the  churches  at  Friar's  Point,  Lyon  and  Refuge.  He 
was  a  true  yoke-fellow  for  j.  \V.  Collins  from  that  time 
on  to  the  loss  of  Collins  by  the  Association. 

The  following  year,  A.  \.  Rowe,  corres])()nding  sec- 
retory of  the  Convention  Board,  was  with  them,  and 
made  a  most  impressive  si)eech  on  missions.  The  fol- 
lowing resolution  was  adopted  Ijy  the  Association  : 

"  Resolved,  That  this  Association  enter  into  a  hear- 
ty and  full  co-operation  with  the  State  Board,  and 
that  the  trcc'psurer  of  this  Association  be  instructed  to 
turn  over  all  mission  funds  to  the  Secretary  of  the  State 
Board,  to  be  applied  within  the  l)ounds  of  this  Associa- 
tion." Tlie  churches  that  year  raised  $175.30  for  mis- 
sions. 

In  1S96,  J.  M.  Chresman  was  still  moderator. 
Tliere  were  then  twelve  churches  in  the  institution, 
with  an  aggregate  membership  of  474-.  This  shows  an 
increase  since  1S94-,  or  in  two  years,  of  S2  members. 
The  rei)ort  on  the  State  of  Religion  has  this  statement: 
"The  Lord  has  been  with  His  people,  greatly  revived 
the  churches."'  Tlie  ])astors  of  the  churches  at  that 
time  were:  j.  E.  Watts  at  Shelby,  R.  A.  Cohron  at 
Lyon,  I).  H.  S.  Co.\  at  Refuge,  Friar's  Point,  and  Lula, 
A.  P.  Coi)eland  at  Belen,  Oak  Ridge  and  Hnon,  B.  B. 
Milam  at  Mound  Bayou  and  First  Bolivar,  and  M.  .\. 
Cameron  at  Shady  (irove.  Six  churches  had  each  a 
Sunda\'  school. 


1000  HISTORY    OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  following  year  the  total  membership  of  the 
cliurches  \vas  476,  or  an  increase  of  twelve  over  the 
year  189G".  S.  M.  Ellis,  of  Clinton,  was  pastor  of  Oak 
Ridge  church  and  the  church  at  Clarksdale,  the  latter 
-a  recently  organized  church. 

The  principal  item  of  business  in  the  associational 
meeting  of  that  year  was  a  pream])le  and  resolution 
looking  to  a  closer  alliance  ot  the  Sunflower  and  Deer 
Creek  Association  in  forwarding  the  Delta  work.  This 
action  was  in  line  with  the  original  intention  of  the 
workers  in  the  Delta  when  the  Sunflower  Association 
was  divided  and  the  Deer  Creek  constituted.  The  divi- 
sion was  only  tor  convenience,  and  was  to  be  only  par- 
tial. The  design  and  desire  was  for  the  two  bodies  to 
work  side  b\''  side  in  the  Delta  and  in  the  closest  frater- 
nal relations.  But  partial  estrangement  had  come 
apace,  and  they  had  gotten  far  apart. 

The  preamble  and  resolution  made  it  clear  that 
the  closest  co-opei'ation  should  be  maintained  between 
the  two  associations,  in  every  practical  way,  and  re- 
commended the  appointment  of  a  committee  of  five  (5) 
to  work  in  harmony  with  a  like  committee  appointed 
by  the  Deer  Creek  Association  for  the  furtherance  of  the 
cause  in  the  Delta. 

This  was  a  sensible  action  Their  country  is  one. 
It  is  walled  in  on  the  east  by  the  hills  of  the  bluff  for- 
mation, and  limited  on  the  west  by  the  Mississippi 
River.  Nature  has  placed  no  boundaries  across  their 
territor\\  The  closest  aflftnit3'  and  the  warmest  frater- 
nity should  characterize  them  in  their  Delta  work. 
The  sun  does  not  shine  on  a  more  fertile  country,  and 
no  more  inviting  mission  field  can  be  found  in  the  Sunny 
South. 

In  the  year  1900,  J.  M.  Chresman  was  still  presiding 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1001 

over  the  both'.  For  nine  years  he  had  held  that  posi- 
tion of  distinction  in  the  Association.  He  presided  \Yith 
disunity  and  his  rulings  were  always  satisfactory.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  church  at  Belen  in  Ouitman  coun- 
ty. "ai)pr()ved  in  Christ." 

In  that  year  the  chnrches  had  a  total  membership 
of  only  423  against  476  in  1897,  or  a  falling  off  of  53 
members.  The  pastors  of  the  churches  were  J.  E.  Bar- 
nett,  C.  H.  Mize,  J.  D.  Rice,  D.  H.  S.  Cox,  and  E.  D. 
Solomon.  The  report  of  the  Finance  Committee  shows 
that  the  churches  paid  that  associational  year  to  For- 
eign missions  $57.35.,  to  Home  missions  $58.96,  to 
State  missions  $25.15,  to  Mississippi  College  $5.00, 
and  to  the  Orphanage  $25.50,  making  a  total  of 
$171.98. 

The  hope  is  cherished  that  the  churches  of  the  Delta 
will  maintain  harmony  in  their  great  work,  and  con- 
tinue to  realize  the  vastness  of  their  field  of  evangelical 
labor.  Many  of  the  workmen,  who  have  borne  the 
heat  and  burden  of  the  da^-,  are  now  missing  on  the 
field.  The  gifted  Collins  has  fallen  out  of  the  line  in 
the  Sunflower.  Dr.  Wm.  L.  Slack  has  been  with  his  Lord 
five  (5)  \'ears.  H.  D.  White  no  longer  presses  collec- 
tions in  the  Deer  Creek  for  the  Lord's  sake.  Cohron's 
health  has  failed,  and  he  is  in  the  hills  prolonging  his 
valuable  life.  But  the  Lord  lives,  and  watches  his 
work  with  a  tireless  eye.  His  strength  does  not  fail  as 
the  \'ears  follow  each  other,  and  his  interest  is  unabat- 
ing.  He  will  raise  up  men,  suggest  measures,  until  the 
Delta  will  bloom  as  the  rose,  and  our  alluvial  land 
become  vocal  with  his  praise. 


1Q02  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

FAIR    RIVER   ASSOCIATION.  "'  ] 

The  formation  of  this  association  in  1872  was  for 
the  convenience  of  the  churches  that  constituted  the 
bod3\  It  is  to  be  observed  that  through  the  passing 
3'ears  associations  were  formed  as  the  territory  was 
occupied  bj^  the  establishment  of  good  churches.  In 
early  times  the  messengers  to  an  association  had  to 
ride  on  horseback  man3^  miles  to  reach  the  f)lace  of 
meeting.  It  is  true  that  sometimes  in  the  study  of  the 
associations  of  the  State  we  do  not  find  that  conven- 
ience was  the  happ^^  cause  for  the  formation  of  a  new 
organization.  Some  times  church  disaffection,  or  a  dif- 
ference of  opinion  on  missionary  labors,  have  been  the 
causes  for  the  division  of  an  association,  but  generally 
the  organization  of  new  associations  have  been  for  the 
convenience  of  the  messengers  and  for  vsecuring  a  full 
representation  of  the  churches. 

The  10  churches  that  went  into  the  Constitution  of 
the  Fair  River  Association,  Oct.  19,  1S72,  were  from 
the  associations  in  that  section  of  South  Mississippi. 
Their  dismission  from  those  associations  was  peaceful 
and  with  a  hearty  good  will.  The  territoiw  was  first 
occujjied  hy  the  Pearl  River  Association,  Ijut  later  by 
the  Strong  River,  the  Bogue  Chitto  and  the  Union  as- 
sociations. 

The  ten  churches   that  constituted  the  bodv  were 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS  1008^ 

Beaureijard,  Galilee,  Mt.  Zion  and  Wesson,  of  Copiah ; 
Fair  River,  Macedoniii,  Pleasant  Hill,  Union  Hall  and 
I'nion,  of  Lincoln  count^^  ?ind  Shiloh,  ot  Lawrence. 
The  bod^'  \vas  organized  at  the  Shiloh  church.  There 
were  four  (4-)  ordained  ministers  in  the  churches  com- 
posing the  body,  viz:  Elisha  Douglass,  of  Monticello ; 
G.  H.  Barrett,  of  Beauregard;  T.J.  Hutson  and  \V.  H. 
Bailey,  of  Brookh^iven,  with  E.  P.  Douglass  and  j.  \V. 
White  as  licentiates.  The  prominent  laA'men  were  S.  H. 
Allen,  M.  Tyler,  L.  H.  Tillman,  J.  W.  White,  A.  Pace  and 
otliers  of  equal  note  and  ability. 

In  the  organizing  convention  Elisha  Douglass  was 
rct(uested  to  act  as  moderator,  and  L.  H.  Tilhnan, clerk. 
The  resolution  on  which  the  new  association  was  or- 
ganized provided  that  the  eastern  and  western  boun- 
daries should  l)e  the  Pearl  River  and  the  I.  C.  Ry.  In 
the  permanent  organization  E.  Douglass  was  chosen 
moderator,  L.  H.  Tillman,  clerk,  and  M.  Tyler,  treas- 
urer. The  body  was  in  strict  accord  with  the  organ- 
ized work  of  the  Baptists  of  the  State,  and  opened  up 
correspondence  at  once  with  tlie  State  Convention, 
delegating  five  messengers  to  go  to  the  next  meeting 
of  that  body.  The  accord  of  the  Fair  River  with  the 
advanced  work  of  our  people  has  l)een  hearty  and  in- 
variable to  this  date. 

A  numl)er  of  resolutions  were  adopted  at  the  first 
meeting  of  the  body  which  showed  their  attitude  as  to 
our  denominational  work.  By  resolution  an  associa- 
tional  mission  board  of  five  members  was  a])pointed, 
which  was  directed  to  secure  a  missionary  to  look  after 
the  destitution  in  their  l)oun(ls  and  to  organize  Sunday 
schools.  The  Orphans'  Home,  at  Lauderdale,  Miss., 
received  due  notice  and  was  recommended  as  worthy  of 
pecuniary  sui)])ort.     It  was  resolved    tliat  each  .-hurch 


1004  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS, 

should  be  requested  to  appoint  a  committee  of  three  (3) 
female  members  to  canvass  their  respective  churches 
and  raise  funds  for  the  Missionary  Board,  for  Sunday-- 
school  work  and  for  the  Orphans'  Home. 

The  second  meeting  of  the  Fair  River  was  with  the 
ITnion  Hall  church,  Oct.  18.  1873.  Six  churches  were 
received  into  the  bod3%  Brookhaven,  Mt.  Moriah,  Gall- 
man,  Rehoboth,  Saron  and  Mt.  Pisgah.  These  addi- 
tions to  the  ten  churches  that  went  into  the  organiza- 
tion constituted  a  body  of  16  good  churches.  The  sec- 
ond session  was  instinct  with  life.  A.  A.  Lomax  repre- 
sented the  church  at  Beauregard,  and  J.  R.  Parish  was 
one  of  three  messengers  from  the  Gallman  cburch.  S. 
W.  Sibley  was  present,  and  was  made  one  of  the  read- 
ing clerks.  J.  M.  Ritchey,  W.  P.  Green,  J.  A.  Hackett, 
T.  J.  Walne  and  VV.  Hillman  were  recognized  as  mem- 
bers of  corresponding  bodies.  Their  presence  at  the 
•  association  assured  some  good  speaking  and  valuable 
^vork. 

The  association  was  organized  by  the  election  of 
A.  A.  Lomax  as  moderator,  E.  P.  Douglass  clerk,  and 
M.  Tyler  treasurer.  T.  J.  Walne  preached  at  11  a.  m, 
Sunday,  J.  A.  Hackett  at  2  p.  m.  and  J.  R.  Parish  at  7 
p.  m.  At  4  p.  m.  a  Sunday  school  mass  meeting  was 
held  which  was  addressed  b\'  T.  J.  Walne. 

Suitaljle  preamble  and  resolutions  were  adopted  as 
to  the  State  Mission  work  of  the  Baptist  State  Con- 
vention. The  Board  was  then  domiciled  at  Hazlehurst, 
which  was  on  the  western  boundary  of  the  association, 
and  T.  J.  Walne  was  its  energetic  consecrated  corre- 
sponding secretary.  He  was  cordially  and  most  affec- 
tionately invited  to  visit  the  churches  of  the  body  in 
the  interest  of  his  great  work.  The  churches  were  urged 
to  contribute  regularly  to  the  State  Mission  Board,  and 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1 005< 

the  Executive  Board  of  the  association  instructed  toco- 
operate  with  the  Board  in  its  work.  They  had  no  fight 
to  make  against  the  new  enterprise  as  some  associa- 
tions did,  but  extended  to  it  the  freedom  of  territory  of 
the  l3ody.  The\'  had  confidence  in  the  men  who  had 
projected  the  enterprise  and  the  future  of  the  work. 

Satisfactory  reports  were  presented  on  Education, 
on  Mississippi  College,  Central  Female  Institute,  and 
Ministerial  Education.  They  ])roposed  to  support  Mis- 
sissippi College  with  their  pra^x'rs,  their  SNanpathies, 
and  their  means,  and  to  aid  in  raising  an  adequate  and 
ample  endowment  fund.  Central  Fenicde  College  was 
recommended  to  parents  having  daughters  to  educate. 
It  WctS  recommended  that  the  churches  of  the  Associa- 
tion encourage  the  young  men  called  of  God  to  preach 
the  gospel  in  obtaining  thorough  ec{uipmcnt  for  the 
high  calling  and  to  aid  them  in  their  attemj^t  to  secure 
the  necessary  educational' preparation  for  usefulness. 
James  Nelson,  the  corresponding  secretjir\^  of  the  Board 
of  Ministeifial  Education  was  cordially  invited  to  pre- 
sent the  subject  to  the  churches  of  the  body. 

The  new  organization  entered  with  fine  spirit  into 
the  Sunday  school  work.  Each  church  was  strongly 
urged  to  sustain  at  least  one  Sunday  school  and  all 
the  Sunday  schools  of  the  churches  of  the  Association 
to  identify  themselves  with  the  Fair  River  Sunday 
School  Convention.  The  uniform  system  of  Sunday  school 
lessons  was  commended  nnd,  of  course.  Kind  Words. 
It  is  refreshing  and  instructive  to  note  that  the  Sunday 
schools  of  the  churches  of  the  body  had  a  total  attend- 
ance of  44-3  when  the  menil)ersliip  of  the  churches  was 
only  ()98.  This  is  a  fine  showing  when  we  consider  the 
fact  that  nearly  all  the  churclies  were  in  the  country 
where  there  are  constant  inducements  for  the  vounii-  to- 


1006  HISTORY    OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

go  to  some  one  of  the  variouschurehes  within  an  hour's 
ride  of  their  homes,  instead  of  attending  the  Sundaj 
sehool  of  their  own  church. 

The  following  year  the  association  was  favored 
with  the  presence  of  such  recruits  and  visitors  as  J.  B. 
Chrisman,  E.  C.  Eager,  B.  A.  Crawford,  D.  I.  Purser, 
\V.  H.  Tucker,  and  W.  J.  David.  W.  H.  Tucker,  forceful, 
learned  and  pious,  was  representing  the  Orphans"  Home. 
W.  J.  David  was  then  a  missionary  to  Africa. 

The  missionary  work  of  the  ]3ody  was  in  a  most  en- 
couraging condition.  T.  J.  Walne  was  in  the  body  and 
made  his  presence  aistinctly  felt.  $216.75  was  secured 
in  cash  and  pledges  for  State  Missions.  W.J.David 
saw  a  collection  taken  for  Foreign  Missions  of  $153.00. 
Happy  the  people  who  can  let  their  missionary  work 
begin  at  the  hearthstone  of  home,  and  extend  to  wilds 
•oi  far-off  Africa. 

The  Committee  on  Abstracts  reported  the  spiritual 
condition ot  the  churches.  Brookhaven  has  E.  C.  Eager 
as  pastor,  and  had  been  greatly  blessed  by  a  steady  in- 
crease of  membership.  The  Fair  River  church,  with 
Elisha  Douglass  as  p'astor,  had  bright  evidences  of 
grace.  J.  K.  Farish  was  pastor  at  Gallman,  where  a 
good  prayer  meeting  was  maintained.  Galilee  had 
.had  several  accessions.  Mt.  Zion  had  trouble  with 
heresy  and  had  excluded  one  deacon  and  seven  mem- 
bers. Heresy  had  crept  into  Macedonia  and  the  church 
was  in  a  deplorable  state,  but  Pleasant  Grove  reported 
peace  and  considerable  interest  under  the  ministrations 
of  T.  J.  Hutson. 

In  1875,  Antioch  church  was  received  from  the  Pearl 
River  Association  and  Friendship  church  from  the  old 
Mississippi  Association ;  and  the  Gallman  and  Galilee 
-•churches  dismissed  to  join  other  associations. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1007 

That  year  was  memorable  for  the  projeetion  of  the 
Centennial  movement.  It  was  an  occasion  for  the  de- 
liverance of  great  S])ceches,  and  for  the  swcllino;  of  pa- 
triotic hearts.  Some  money  was  received  for  education, 
and  in  many  parts  large  su1)scriptions  taken  which  were 
too  often  no  better  than  the  paper  they  were  written 
up(3n.  A  good  rejjort  was  put  iDcfore  the  Fair  River  on 
the  subject.  It  made  prominent  the  fact  that  Missis- 
sippi Baptists  proposed  to  raise  "a  liberal  sum  for  the 
endowment  of  Mississip])i  College,"  and  recommended 
that  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  by  the  Associa- 
tion to  take  charge  of  the  work,  and  that  the  churches 
be  recjuested  to  release  their  pastors  for  one  month  in 
the  year  to  engage  without  charge  in  the  \vork. 

The  co-operation  of  the  Fair  River  with  the  State 
Mission  Board  w^as  close  and  engaging.  The  Associa- 
tion pledged  itself  to  pray  for  the  divine  blessings  on 
the  State  Board.  That  was  much.  It  is  remarkable 
how  few  mistakes  the  old  State  Mission  Board  made 
in  its  ai3pointments  and  work,  largeh^  the  result  of 
prayer  for  the  work  by  its  warm  supporters  in  those 
trying  days  of  stout  opposition  by  some  of  our  best 
ministers. 

In  1876,  the  reports  put  before  the  Association  for 
approval  were  short  and  of  no  remarkable  interest  ex- 
cept the  reports  on  Sundaj^  Schools  and  Pulolications. 

The  report  on  Sunday  Schools  was  presented  by  De^i- 
con  A.  Page,  now  a  member  of  the  Galilee  church,  ])ut 
then  of  the  Rehoboth  church.  The  report  suggested 
that  a  well  conducted  Sunday  school  was  a  strong  arm 
in  the  promotion  of  the  missionary  spirit  and  recom- 
mended that  the  Executive  Board  of  the  Association 
reorganize  the  Sunday  school  Convention  of  the  body 
at  once.    The  suggestion  was  replete  with  wisdom,  and 


1008  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

has  in  it  the  only  effectual  means  for  the  promotion  of 
the  Sunda\"  school  cause.  The  sustaining  of  an  asso- 
ciational  Sunday  school  Convention  is  an  arduous  work. 
but  productive  of  the  most  happ3^  results  to  church  life 
and  rrissionary  vigor,  as  well  as  the  advancement  of 
the  Sunday  school  interest. 

The  report  on  Publications  recommended  the  SoLrt/i- 
ern  Baptist,  at  Meridian,  and  The  Bt'ipt/st,  of  Memphis, 
Tenn.  The  Mississippi  Baptist  State  Convention  was 
without  a  sustaining  religious  paper  at  the  time,  but 
was  agitating  the  question  of  publishing  an  organ  of 
communication  for  the  promotion  of  the  interests  fos- 
tered b}'  that  body.  Deacon  Page  offered  the  following 
preamble  and  resolution  to  the  Association  : 

"Whereas,  The  Mississippi  Baptist  State  Conven- 
tion c]id  at  its  last  session  decide  to  l^uild  up  a  Baptist 
State  paper,  and  appointed  a  committee  to  carry  into 
effect  such  an  arrangement ;  and 

Whereas,  Said  committee  has  asked  for  an  expres- 
sion from  all  of  the  associations  in  the  State;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  this  action  of  the  State  Convention 
meets  with  the  hearty  approval  of  this  Association  and 
that  we  promise  to  support  a  good  hind  mark  Baptist 
paper  when  started.'' 

For  the  next  two  \'ears,  the  work  of  the  Association 
was  in  an  even  tenor.  There  was  an  effort  made  to  in- 
fuse more  interest  in  the  work  of  Ministerial  Education. 
In  1877,  it  was  recommended  in  the  report  that  one 
member  of  the  body  be  appointed  to  look  after  the 
work,  to  raise  money  for  Alinisterial  Education  and 
encourage  young  ministers  to  go  to  school.  The  next 
year  it  was  recommended  that  a  committee  of  five  be 
appointed  whose  duty  it  should  be  to  raise  funds  for 
the  support  of  young  ministers  at  school.   There  seemed 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1009' 

to  be  an  apprehension  that  the  bod3^\vas  retroi^rading^. 
and,  as  is  usualh'  true,  under  such  circumstances,  they 
resorted  to  the  method  of  raising  special  committees. 
Mr.  Spurgeon  has  the  reputation  of  saying  that  the. 
best  committee  is  a  committee  of  three  with  two  so  un- 
well  as  not  to  be  able  to  keep  out  of  bed.  A  committee 
is  only  an  executive  body  to  guide  life,  it  seldom  ere- 
ates  life. 

As  soon  as  1876,  ^ve  find  some  disposition  mani- 
fested by  the  Association  to  establish  associational  mis- 
sion work  on  an  associational  basis.  It  was  recom- 
mended the  year  jDrevious,  and  insisted  upon  that  a 
Board  of  one  member  from  each  church  ht  formed  to 
supply  the  places  of  destitution  so  far*as  possible.  In 
1877,  the  Board  made  a  succinct  report  to  the  Associa- 
tion. In  the  report  it  was  stated  that  the  Sunday 
School  Convention  had  been  reorganized  and  that  A.F^ 
Payne  had  been  employed  as  missionary  and  colporteur^ 
and  that  four  mission  stations  had  been  occupied  a  por- 
tion of  the  time  during  the  year.  The  following  year^ 
the  report  of  the  Board  was  meager.  In  the  report 
placed  before  the  body  on  the  general  subject  of  mis- 
sions, it  was  recommended  that  an  Executive  Board  of 
five  (5)  should  be  appointed,  who  should  use  the  mis- 
sion funds  of  the  Association  Jis  thev  deemed  best,  either 
in  doing  associational  mission  \vork  themselves,  or  b\' 
co-operation  with  the  State  Mission  Board.  This  re- 
port was  presented  b\'  E.  I*.  Douglass. 

In  1879,  an  Executive  Board  was  constituted  with 
"power  to  transact  any  business  pertaining  to  the  in- 
terest of  the  Association.  The  Executive  Board  had 
for  one  year  co-operated  ^vith  the  Union  Association  in 
missionary  work.  R.  A.  Coo])er  was  commissioned  by- 
the  two  Boards,  and   received   $4-0.00  from  the  Fair 


1010  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

River  Association.  The  missionary  did  good  work,  and 
was  praised  for  his  faithful  labors.  In  1880,  the  body 
wheeled  into  line  again  and  passed  the  following  reso- 
lution : 

"'Resolved,  That  we  enter  again  into  co-operation 
with  the  State  Board,  and  that  our  Board  be  instructed 
to  carry  out  said  co-operation,  and  that  our  churches 
be  earnestly  requested  to  make  liberal  contributions  to 
this  purpose  ;  and  that  the  secretary  of  the  State  Board, 
T.  J.  Walne,  be  invited  to  visit  our  churches  and  solicit 
contributions  for  the  Board." 

It  was  a  sad  fact  at  that  time  that  the  State  Alis- 
sion  Board  had  pot  the  money  necessarA^  for  supplying 
all  the  destitution  apparent  in  the  associations,  and  it 
seemed  to  some  to  be  an  organization  for  receiving  their 
money  to  spend  on  other  fields.  This  apparent  neglect 
cooled  the  ardor  of  some  for  the  State  mission  work, 
and  resulted  sometimes  in  a  temporary  rejection  of  the 
State  Board. 

The  Fair  River,  in  1879,  seemed  recovering  from  a 
spell  of  the  blues.  In  the  corresponding  letter,  the  mod- 
erator said  that  the  churches  were  well  represented  in 
the  Association,  and  most  of  them  reported  prosperity. 
In  1880,  when  the  body  had  gone  back  to  its  first  love, 
the  State  Mission  Board,  the  circular  letter  contained 
this  sentence;  "Many  of  our  churches  have  enjoyed 
gracious  revival  seasons  during  the  past  3^ear."' 

In  1879,  a  good  interest  was  manifested  by  the  Fair 
River  in  education.  Charles  H.  Otkin  was  at  the  meet- 
ing of  the  body  and  did  yeoman  service  for  education. 
He  was  made  chairman  of  the  committee  on  this  sub- 
ject and  presented  a  splendid  report.  The  report  ear- 
nestly expressed  the  belief  that  Mississippi  College  should 
be  endowed  liberalW,  and  that  the  associations  of  the 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1011 

State  should  hold  consultations  as  to  the  matter.  It 
was  declared  that  Lea  Female  Colle^i^e,  which  opened 
its  doors  for  pupils  in  1877  met  a  lon*:^  needed  want  in 
South  Mississippi  and  was  recommended  to  hearty 
patronage.  .  The  report  on  Education  in  1880  Wcis 
equally  as  pronounced  in  its  recommendation  of  these 
two  schools  and  added  the  Central  Female  Institute. 

In  1880,  the  Association  acted  upon  the  reports  of 
a  due  number  of  representative  committees,  except  that 
it  had  but  one  report  on  missions.  The  one-report 
method  lacked  directness,  and  usually  no  specific  infor- 
mation was  given  in  the  report  as  to  the  practical 
workings  of  the  Board.  The  Association  had  its  re- 
ports on  missions  by  the  one-report  method  until  1890. 
In  1882,  the  statistical  table  showed  contributed  to 
Heme  missions  (or  associational),  $119.70,  and  to  For- 
eign missions,  $91.85.  In  1884,  the  contributions  had 
decreased  to  $51.55  for  Home  missions  and  $67.25  for 
F^oreign  missions.  But  in  1890  there  had  been  a  grati- 
fying increase,  as  $180.40  was  given  to  State  missions 
and  $154.35  to  Foreign  missions. 

In  the  decade  between  1880  and  1890,  the  Associa- 
tion took  high  ground  on  the  subject  of  temperance. 
For  much  of  that  period,  Joel  H.  Gambrell  and  B.  T. 
Hobbs,  two  of  the  most  ardent  temperance  workers  of 
the  State,  were  mem1)ers  of  the  Association,  and  made 
their  presence  felt  when  the  temperance  reform  was  dis- 
cus.sed  by  the  1)ody.  In  1882,  J.  E.  Thigpen  was  chair- 
man of  the  committee  on  temperance.  The  following 
resolution  was  placed  at  the  close  of  the  report: 

^^  Resolved,  That  the  churches  of  this  Association 
be  recommended  to  withdraw  fellowship  from  such  of 
their  members  as  persist  either  in  using  or  advocating 
the  sale  of  intoxicating  spirits.'' 


1012  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  report  on  the  subject  in  1884-  has  a  vStriking  re- 
semblance to  the  report  of  1882,  but  did  not  have  this 
resolution  attached. 

The  report  of  1885  has  no  name  subvScribed  to  it, 
but  takes  an  advanced  step.  It  maintained  that  total 
abstinence  is  the  only  safe  rule  for  the  individual,  and 
then  asserted  with  emphasis  that  prohibition  by  the 
State,  of  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  intoxicants  as  a 
beverage,  is  the  best  method  of  handling  the  "matchless 
evil."  It  was  resolved  that  "the  powers  that  be"  be 
urged  to  incorporate  temperance  text  books  into  the 
curriculum  of  the  common  schools  of  the  State,  that 
the  children  might  know  the  deadl3^  effect  of  ardent 
spirits. 

The  report  of  1886  was  long,  and  well  written.  B. 
T.  Hobbs  was  chairman  of  the  committee.  In  it  we 
find  the  statement  that  the  prohibition  and  temperance 
agitation  ^vas  sweeping  the  land.  It  was  recommended 
that  the  churches  be  advised  to  continue  an  uncom- 
promising protest  against  the  saloon,  the  signing  of 
whiskc}'  petitions,  voting  for  license  and  going  on  the 
bonds  of  liquor  dealers ;  also,  to  dismiss  from  their  fel- 
lowship members  lending  their  influence  in  any  way  to 
the  sale  of  intoxicants.  The  W.  C.  T.  U.  was  endorsed, 
and  the  members  of  the  bod3^  asked  to  use  their  influ- 
ence upon  the  colored  people  that  the  principles  of  tem- 
perance might  l)e  fixed  in  their  minds. 

The  Minutes  of  the  Fair  River  of  1888  are  breezy  on 
the  subject  of  the  temperance  issue.  It  appears  that 
J.  M.  Ritche\'  vv^as  a  member  of  the  Association  of  1885 
and  voted  for  the  strong  temperance  report  of  that 
year,  but  afterward  receded,  and  denounced  the  report,, 
the  members  of  the  churches,  and  the  ministers  in  the 
strongest  terms  he  could  command.     Elder  Ritchev  was 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1013 

a  niemlxn"  of  the  Tnion  church  in  18S5,  and  was  aincn- 
tiblc  to  it  for  his  utterances.  The  preamble  and  resolu- 
tions of  the  church  were  placed  before  the  Association, 
and  a  strong  committee  aj)i)ointed  by  the  Association 
to  report  upon  them,  with  Judge  J.  B.  Chrisman  as 
chairman.  The  report  of  the  committee  was  prudent, 
positive  and  wise.  It  embraced  the  thoughts  that  the 
sentiment  of  the  Fair  River  on  the  temperance  (luestion 
had  not  been  changed  except  in  its  intenseness,  that  no 
church  of  the  Association  had  condemned  the  actions 
of  the  Union  church,  and  no  controversy  was  pending 
on  the  subject,  and  that  the  subject  matter  of  the  reso- 
lution was  entirely  beyond  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Asso- 
ciation. 

In  1890,  the  Association  was  stirred  to  the  core 
over  the  fact  that  the  Mississippi  Constitution^ll  Con- 
vention refused  to  incorporate  statutory  prohibition. 
J.  H.Gambrell  presented  two  resolutions  on  thesubject, 
one  of  which  glowed  .with  righteous  indignation,  both 
of  which  were  unanimously  adopted.  It  is  but  just 
that  one  of  them  should  be  preserved  as  history. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Fair  River  Association  put  the 
seal  of  righteous  disapprobation  upon  the  action  of  the 
Mississippi  Constitutional  Convention  for  refusing  to 
abolish  the  saloon  in  this  State.'' 

The  second  resolution  hjul  as  its  import  the  instruct- 
ing of  the  clerk  of  the  l)ody  to  forward  to  Judge  J.  B. 
Chrisman  and  Hon.  R.  H.  Thompson  a  copy  of  the 
id)ove  resolutions. 

As  in  other  associations,  there  was  much  iniiformity 
in  the  reports  placed  l)efore  the  Fair  River  on  the  sub- 
ject of  our  publications.     The  Baptist  Record,  The  For- 
eign Mission  Journal,  now  and  then  the  Tennessee  Bap- 
tist were  recommended,  and  occasionally  Ford's  Chris- 


1014  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

tian  Repository  and  the  National  Temperance  Advo- 
cate, the  Young  Missionary  and  Kind  Words.  The 
closest  allegiance  was  maintained  to  their  religious 
State  paper;  it  was  commended,  taken,  and  carefully 
read. 

More  than  usual  notice  was  taken  of  Sustentation 
by  them.  Reports  were  made  yearh^on  the  subject  and 
were  invariably  printed.  It  was  in  1882,  at  their  meet- 
ing at  the  Shiloh  church  that  a  motion  obtained  favor 
to  the  effect  that  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  to 
report  at  their  next  meeting  on  the  duty  of  the  churches 
to  superanuated  preachers.  They  had  some  superan- 
uated  ministers  among  them,  whose  wants  might  be 
ascertained  with  a  little  pains.  In  1885,  a  collection 
was  taken  of  $29.4-5  in  cash,  w^hich  was  to  be  distrib- 
uted by  the  Finance  Committee  among  the  superanu- 
ated preachers  and  their  families.  In  1886,  the  com- 
mittee on  this  benevolence  expressed  pain  that  the  old 
preachers  were  neglected  in  their  ministrations.  The 
following  3xar  quarterly  collections  for  Susteniation 
were  suggested,  which  suggestion  was  repeated  in  1889. 
This  tender  consideration  for  the  olcf  preachers,  who 
freel3'  gave  their  best  3'ears  to  the- preaching  of  the  gos- 
pel while  poorly  sustained  b}'  the  churches,  was  right 
and  showed  the  best  side  of  human  nature  directed  by 
grace.  It  is  not  charit^^  to  aid  old  preachers ;  it  is  the 
continuation  of  their  ministeriid  support  for  work  well 
done. 

The  Association  helped  the  women  who  labored  for 
the  promotion  of  Christ's  cause.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that 
they  are  3'et  continuing  in  this  way.  In  1884,  B.  T. 
Hobbs  read  the  report  on  Woman's  Work.  He  stated 
that  the  question  of  Woman's  Rights  had  deterred  some 
from  encouraging  women  in  the  righteous  efforts  in 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1015 

Spreading  the  gospel,  but  that  it  was  true  that  in  the 
twelve  months  preceding  that  date  the  Christian  wo- 
men had  contributed  $600,000  to  give  the  gospel  to 
the  heathen.  The  work  of  the  women  was  hailed  with 
delight,  and  the  women  advised  to  work  through  their 
respective  churches  and  to  organize  themselves  into  mis- 
sionary societies.  Like  suggestions  were  made  the  fol- 
lowing two  3^ears. 

The  report  on  this  subject  in  1888  showed  that  un- 
der the  leadership  of  Airs.  A.  M.  Hillman  the  Baptist 
women  of  Mississippi  had  given  to  the  work  of  the  Con- 
vention Board  $2,374.19,  and  for  home  work  $3,- 
422.99,  making  a  total  of  $5,797.18.  Who  could  with- 
hold help,  or  in  an}'  wise  stay  such  willing  hands,  or 
check  the  generous  impulses  of  such  noble  hearts  ?  That 
year  the  clerk  was  directed  to  incorporate  in  the  Min- 
utes the  proceedings  of  the  annual  meeting  of  the  La- 
dies' Missionar}'  union.  In  their  proceedings  it  appears 
that  they  gave  that  year  to  various  objects  $311.30. 
In  1889,  it  was  suggested  that  an  effort  lie  made  to 
establish  a  Ladies'  Missionary  Society'  in  each  church 
of  the  body.  The  Woman's  Missionary  Societies  of  the 
Association  in  1890  reported  collected  for  various  pur- 
poses, $604.73. 

In  1882,  J.  E.  Thigpen  read  the  report  on  Sunday 
schools.  His  statistics  are  interesting.  The  number  of 
Sunday  schools  in  the  Association  was  14 ;  number  of 
churches  without  Sunday  schools,  9 ;  the  attendance 
was  486  ;  number  of  children  and  3'oung  people  attend- 
ing no  Sunda\'  school,  1,000.  What  was  to  be  done? 
The  four  following  years  usual  reports  were  read  on  the 
subject.  The  report  of  1888  was  cheerful.  It  declared 
that  the  Sunday  school  was  to  the  church  what  the 
potato  patch  was  to  the  farm,  a  necessar\'  au.xiliary. 


1016  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

and  expressed  gladness  that  the  ehurehes  were  awaking 
to  a  sense  of  their  dut}'  in  Sunda\'  school  work. 

The  Fair  River  was  unalterable  in  its  attachment 
to  ^Mississippi  College  and  Alinisterial  Education.  They 
not  only  reported  on  the  subject,  they  acted.  Thej'  re- 
■sponded  to  every  call  of  the  college  with  cheerfulness 
•and  unanimity,  and  sent  their  sons  to  share  in  the  un- 
told advantages  of  that  remarkable  school  of  learning. 
The  best  history  is  the  history  that  requires  the  least 
words  to  record  it.  Contentions  and  bloodshed  call 
for  minute  details,  but  smoothly  flowing  action  in  the 
Tight  has  no  angles  to  describe.  It  was  the  habit  of  the 
Fair  River  to  fall  in  line  at  the  bugle's  blast,  to  respond 
to  roll  call,  and  to  keep  step  with  the  friends  of  Minis- 
terial Education  and  Mississippi  College.  In  1885,  they 
gave  $132.62  to  Ministerial  Education,  and  in  1890, 
the\'  contributed  $1,381.65  to  Mississippi  College. 

In  1886,  the  Association  had  its  first  experience  with 
internal  disorder.  On  page  4  of  the  Minutes  of  that 
year  w^e  find  that  objections  were  raised  to  receiving 
the  messenger  from  the  Antioch  and  Oak  Grove  churches. 
A  committee  of  three  was  appointed  to  consider  these 
objections.  In  the  report  of  that  committee  we  learn 
that  the  two  churches  retained  in  their  membership 
persons  s^-mpathizing  with  and  giving  their  influence 
to  the  li([uor  traffic,  for  which  crime  the  erring  churches 
had  the  hand  of  fellowship  withdrawn  from  them.  His- 
tory shows  that  they  proceeded  to  form  a  very  small 
association,  which  had  a  short  existence.  The  Oak 
Grove  church  was  unanimouslj^  restored  to  its  place  in 
the  Association  in  1  889. 

The  Association  passed  an  unusual  resolution  in 
1889.  It  allowed  all  Baptist  ministers  "  in  good  and 
regular  standing,"' belonging  to  churches  of  the  body, 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1017 

the  right  to  participate  freeh'  in  the  deliberations  of  the 
Association.  Tlie  following  year  the  moderator  was 
requested  to  make  a  riding  on  this  resolution.  He  ruled 
"that  no  minister,  not  sent  to  the  Association  by  his 
church  as  a  delegate  was  entitled  toa  vote  in  the  body/' 
whereupon  a  resolution  was  adopted  amending  the 
Rules  of  Decorum  of  the  Association  to  grant  the  con- 
tested resolution  binding  force.  Just  why  this  strange 
action  wiis  taken,  the  Minutes  do  not  explain. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  to  give  the  names  of  the  officers 
of  the  Fair  River  from  its  constitution  to  1890.  The 
moderators  were  E.  Douglass  in  1872,  A.  A.  Lomax, 
4873  and  1874 ;  E.  C.  Eager,  1875 ;  P.  Douglass,  1876 
and  1877;  T.  Green,  1878;  G.  H.  Barrett,  1839 ;  W.  H, 
Bailey,  1880;  E.  P.  Douglass,  1882  to  1890.  The 
clerks  were,  L.  H.  Tillman,  1872  ;  E.  P.  Douglass,  1873 
to  1881;  J  E.  Thigpcn,  1882:  C.  R.  Dale,  1884  ;  B.  T. 
Hobbs,  1885  to  1890.  The  treasurers  were,  M.  Tyler, 
1872  to  1874:  A.  J.  Martin,  1875  to  1890. 

At  the  session  of  1891  and  1892,  B.  T.  Hobbs  was 
clerk  and  A.  J.  Martin  treasurer:  R.  J.  Boone  was  mod- 
erator in  1891,  and  J.  A.  Scarborough  in  1892.  The 
session  of  1891  was  held  with  the  Union  Hall  church, 
Lincoln  county,  and  of  1892  with  the  Mt.  Zion  church 
of  the  same  county. 

In  1892,  a  motion  was  made  and  carried  that  found 
no  favor  with  those  who  had  charge  of  Woman's  Work 
in  the  State.  The  copy  of  the  Minutes  now  before  the 
eye  of  the  writer  has  been  in  the  hands  of  the  lamented 
Mrs.  Adelia  M.  Hillnian.  .\bout  the  motion  she  has 
placed  pfircnthctic  lines  dark  and  distinct.  The  motion 
was  to  abolish  the  Committee  on  Woman's  Work,  be- 
cause it  was  not  necessary.  Those  who  sustained  the 
motion   surelv  meant  no   more  than  that  the  women 


1018  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

were  having"  their  own  meetings  and  keeping  their  own 
records,  and,  as  that  \Yas  true,  a  Committee  on  Wo- 
man's Work  ^Yas  superfluous. 

The  usual  reports  were  made  that  year  on  Missions, 
Sunday  Schools,  Temperance,  Publications,  etc.,  which 
were  intended  for  instruction  to  the  members  of  the 
churches  more  than  to  indicate  lines  of  eftbrt. 

The  Executive  Board,  in  1891,  reported  that  an 
effort  had  l^een  made  to  secure  a  Sunday  school  mis- 
sionarv,  but  a  suitable  man  could  not  be  found  who 
could  give  the  Association  the  time  that  was  needed. 
It  was  recommended  that  the  effort  should  l)e  continued 
to  secure  some  one  to  look  after  their  Sunday  school 
work.  We  find  no  report  on  the  subject  in  the  Minutes 
of  the  following  3'ear. 

In  1892,  there  were  in  the  Association  23  churches, 
with  a  total  membership  of  2,056.  They  gave  that 
3'ear  to  State  missions  $145.4-6,- to  Foreign  missions 
$195.74,  and  to  church  buildings  and  repairs  $944.35. 
The  session  of  1892  was  concluded  with  the  under- 
standing that  thej^  wei-e  to  meet  in  1893  with  Calvarj^ 
church,  Lawrence  county,  on  Frida}'  before  the  third 
Sundaj'-  in  October. 

In  1893,  J.  H.  Gambrell  was  chosen  moderator, 
B.  T.  Hobbs,  clerk,  and  A.  J.  Martin,  treasurer.  In 
1894,  J.  Jasper  Green  was  elected  moderator.  The  clerk 
and  treasurer  of  the  previous  year  were  re-elected. 

(The  Fair  River*  is  now  the  Lincoln  County  Asso- 
ciation. ) 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISvSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1019 


CHAPTER   XXXII. 

HOBOLOCHITTO   ASSOCIATION'. 

The  origin  and  progress  of  the  Hobolochitto  Asso- 
ciation is  a  line  study.  It  had,  for  many  years,  a  hard 
strut^gle  in  perpetuatin*^-  its  existence,  but  finally  began 
slowly  to  grow,  and  gradualW  took  on  new  life,  until  it 
became  strong  and  useful  It  was  constituted  in  a  very 
small  territory  in  the  extreme  southern  part  of  the 
State.  The  churches  were  all  in  what  was  then  called 
Hancock  county.  They  were  in  mailing  distance  of 
Gainesville,  Kiceville,  and  Ba^^  St.  Louis. 

Their  oldest  church  wjis  Palestine,  which  was  con- 
stituted in  1842.  Gainesville  was  organized  in  lS5v5, 
Salem  in  1857,  and  Zion  Hill  in  1856.  The  dates  of 
the  organization  of  the  other  four  churches  that  doubt- 
less went  into  the  organization,  are  not  given  in  the 
Minutes.  The  Gainesville  church  came  from  the  Pearl 
Kiver  Association ;  the  I'nion  and  others,  from  the 
Eastern  Louisiana. 

The  majority  of  the  churches  constituting  the  Hob- 
olochitto, were  in  the  Gulf  Coast  region.  The  land  is 
thin,  with  a  small  pine  growth,  which  is  penetrated  by 
the  long  leaf  pine  region,  as  if  l)v  jutting  fingers.  The 
country  is  threaded  l)v  a  numl)er  of  creeks  and  small 
rivers.  There  are  two  prongs  of  the  Abolochitto  river 
running  through  the  territory,  for  which  the  .\ssocia- 
was  doubtless  niimed. 


1020  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  eight  churches  constituting  the  body  were : 
Palestine,  Gainesville,  Bethel,  Salem,  Zion  Hill,  Juniper 
Grove,  Union  and  Elim.  The  Palestine  was,  numeri- 
cally, the  strongest,  having  78  members  ;  Gainesville 
had"  18,  Bethel  24,  Salem  17,  Zion  Hill  22,  Juniper 
Grove  36,  and  Union  59.  All  the  churches  seemed  on 
the  decrease.  In  1862,  Palestine  had  only  65  members, 
Gainesville  15,  and  Union  58.  In  that  \'"ear  onl\'  four 
churches  were  represented  in  the  Association.  It  may 
be  said  that  three  men  held  the  body  together,  W.  H. 
Varnado,  A.  M.  Slayden,  and  Willis  Fortinberry.  For- 
tinberry  was  of  the  Pearl  River,  but  came  annualh'  to 
their  meetings,  encouraging  them  with  his  presence  and 
inspiring  them  with  his  words. 

In  1860,  the  bod^^  was  composed  of  sixteen  dele- 
gates; in  1861,  of  ten,  and  in  1862,  of  only  seven. 
The^'  met  that  year  with  the  Palestine  church.  W.  H. 
Varnado  was  elected  moderator,  and  A.  M.  Slayden, 
clerk  and  treasurer.  They  had  to  regret  that  no  mes- 
sengers reached  them  from  other  associations.  They 
were  corresponding  wdth  only  two  associations,  the 
Pearl  River  and  the  Eastern  Louisiana.  Sermons  were 
preached  by  \V.  H. Varnado  and  A.  M.  Sla\'den. 

Only  125  copies  of  the  Minutes  were  ordered  printed. 
The  fact,  that  the  statistics  of  the  t\xo  previous  years 
were  ordered  printed  in  the  Minutes  of  that  vear,  makes 
it  almost  certain  that  no  Minutes  were  printed  of  the 
proceedings  of  those  two  years.  It  is,  at  least,  a  sub- 
ject of  cbnjecture,  if  their  Minutes  were  printed  before 
1862,  as  their  proceedings  were  exceedingly  brief,  the 
churches  few,  and  their  members  in  exceedingly  limited 
circumstances.  The  Minutes  of  1862  cover  only  a  little 
more  than  one  page,  having  no  reference  to  an3'  mis- 
sionarv  work,  and  carry  no  resolutions  as  to  activities 


HISTOKY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1021 

of  the  body.  The  closing  sentences  of  the  Minutes  are 
rather  touching.  It  is  said,  "Our  little  sess/o/?  passed 
oft' in  hai'mony  and  peace;  and  we  humbly  trust  that 
God  will  bless  us  as  a  little  association."' 

The  seventh  session  convened  with  Union  church  on 
Saturday  l)efore  the  fourth  Lord's  day  in  October,  lS6o. 
Onh'  six  churches  were  represented  by  delegates,  Jind 
no  new  churches  were  seeking  membership  in  the  bod}-. 
E.  W.  Moore  was  jjresent  as  a  messenger  from  the 
Eastern  Louisiana,  and  Z.  Daughdrill  from  Pearl  River. 
Their  presence  was  cheering  to  the  Hobolochitto.  The 
Minutes  show  that  five  churches  sent  to  the  Asso- 
ciation $71.00  "for  associational  purposes."  An  asso- 
ciation, as  an  individual,  shows  a  better  face  when 
there  is  some  money  on  hand. 

The  tollowing  year  Lewis  Fortinberry  was  with 
them.  The  Union  church,  f)f  Louisiana,  was  received 
into  the  Association.  The3'  showed  their  api)reciation 
of  the  church  I33'  agreeing  to  hold  their  next  session 
with  it.  There  was  the  usual  amount  of  preaching 
done,  which,  doubtless,  ])roduced  a  good  impression  on 
the  delegates. 

The  next  3-ear,  two  more  churches  came  into  the 
organization,  Alt.  Olive  and  Bonner  Creek,  both  of 
Louisiana.  The  Association  began  to  acquire  territory 
westward,  and  outside  of  our  State.  In  1866,  two 
more  churches  were  received.  Pine  Grove  and  Enon. 
The  names  of  twelve  churches  were  in  their  statistical 
table,  these  churches  having  an  aggregate  membership 
of  34-8.  The  churches  contributed  $31.25  to  the  asso- 
ciational fund.  It  was  resolved  that  their  annual 
meeting,  alternate  with  the  two  natural  divisions  of 
their  territory,  east  and  west  of  Pearl  River.  The 
Rules  of  Faith  and  GospelOrder  were  published  in  their 


1022  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Minutes  that  year.  The\'  were  virtually-  the  same  as 
found  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Pearl  River  Association. 
Their  prominent  ministers  were  W.  H.  Varnado,  A.  M. 
Slayden,  R.  R.  Breland,  J.  C.  Scale,  W.  E.  Aloore  and 
T.  Mitchell. 

In  1867,  Half  Moon  Bluff  church  was  received  into 
the  fraternitv.  It  had  been  in  the  Mississippi  Associa- 
tion and  the  Pearl  River,  and  was  later  in  the  Bogue 
Chitto,  and  Magees  Creek.  The  next  annual  meeting 
was  to  be  held  with  that  chinxh.  The  Committee  on 
Finance  reported  $57.00  sent  Idv  the  churches  for  asso- 
ciational  purposes.  It  was  at  this  session  that  the 
first  resolution  was  adopted  as  to  missionary-  work. 
G.  W.  Stovall  was  requested  to  labor  under  the  author- 
ity- of  the  Association  in  destitute  places  inside  the 
limits  of  the  body,  "including  Logtown,  Pearlington, 
and  around  on  the  gulf  coast  through  Shieldsborough, 
Pass  Christian,  and  west  of  the  Pearl  River,  etc.'"  The  j 
had  gotten  up  a  good  head  of  steam. 

Their  Minutes  had,  to  that  date,  been  printed  in 
Amite  City,  La.,  but  in  1868,  the  Southwestern  Pub- 
lishing Company,  of  Memphis,  Tenn.,  did  their  print- 
ing. The  Minutes  show  that  four  churches  were  re- 
ceived into  the  bod^- — Pearlington,  Bethany-,  Pisgah, 
■  and  Hebron.  The  institution  was  then  composed  of 
seventeen  churches.  The  sum  of  $92.67  was  reported 
on  hand. 

The  surplus,  after  paying  for  the  printing  of  the 
Minutes,  was  to  be  appropriated  to  associational  mis- 
sions. Their  missionary-,  William  G.  Stovall,  in  his 
report  of  mission  work,  said,  "It  was  thought  impol- 
itic to  make  an  effort  at  missionary'-  collection,  on  ac- 
count of  the  impoverished  condition  of  the  country 
along  the  seaboard."    That  3-ear,  for  the  first  time,  a 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1023 

circular  letter  was  printed  with  their  Minutes.  The 
Juniper  Grove  church,  which  left  the  Hol)olochitto  in 
1862  to  join  the  Pearl  River,  was  again  received  into 
the  Hobolochitto  in  1S69. 

Up  to  this  date,  the  growth  of  the  Hol)olochitto 
had  becii  westward.  In  1862,  it  did  not  have  a  church 
west  of  Pearl  River.  In  1S71,  there  were  seven  ot  their 
churches  in  Louisiana.  The  accession  of  the  Red  Creek 
church  showed  a  beginning  of  growth  eastward.  That 
was  well.  The  old  Leaf  River  church,  constituted  by 
Xorvell  Robertson,  Sr.,  covered  the  territory  east  of 
them, but  it  had  long  since  been  dissolved.  It  remained 
for  the  Hobolochitto,  as  a  missionary  influence  coming 
out  of  an  unexpected  (juarter,  to  gather  strength,  and 
make  speed  for  the  east.  In  tlie  year  above  mentioned, 
the  Hobolochitto  received  from  the  Eastern  Louisiana 
the  courtesy  of  a  package  of  Minutes  Ijy  the  hands  of 
J.  C.  Seale,  and  at  once  dropped  correspondence  with 
that  body.  AVhat  this  summar_y  action  meant  is  not 
explained.  At  once  it  was  agreed  to  "offer  correspond- 
ence'' with  the  Ebenezer,  the  territory  of  which  was 
northeast  of  the  Hobolochitto. 

Their  treasurer,  in  1871,  made  a  fniancial  state- 
ment, showing  $119.60  on  hand,  which  was  almost 
entirely  for  associational  uses.  Before  adjournment,  it 
^vas  resolved  thiit  a  Missicjnary  Board,  consisting  of 
five  members,  be  formed  for  tlie  purpose  of  sup])l\'ing 
the  destitution  within  their  bounds.  The  Board  was 
re(|ucsted  to  meet  with  the  Union  church  on  Saturday 
before  the  second  Sunday  in  March,  1872.  This  meet- 
ing of  the  Board  in  Louisiana  was,  perhaps,  to  hold 
together  their  churches,  and  thus  to  form  a  large,  strong- 
association  in  an  extensive  territory.  But  rivers,  seas 
and  mountains   are  nature's  boundarv  lines,  and  men 


1024-  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

cannot  reverse  nature's  provisions.  ^Mississippi  Col- 
lege received  a  C()ni])linientar\'  notice  by  the  Hobolo- 
chitto.  The  Association  was  to  tint!  suitors,  equal  and 
superior  on  every  side. 

In  1871,  they  met  with  Bonner  church,  Washington 
Parish.  A.  M.  Slay  den  was  elected  moderator.  He 
was  a  wise  man,  and  one  in  whom  all  had  the  utmost 
confidence.  A  Missionary  Board  was  ajjpointed,  con- 
sisting often  members.  These  members  were  all  of  the 
churches  in  Mississippi,  which  showed  conclusively  that 
a  division  of  the  body  was  anticipated.  Just  before 
adjournment,  a  resolution  was  adopted  to  give  letters 
of  dismission  to  eight  churches  in  Louisiana.  The  Hob- 
olochitto  had  fostered  their  interests  until  they  grew 
strong,  and,  as  they  wished  to  form  an  association  on 
their  side  of  Pearl  River,  the}^  were  bidden  God  speed. 

Nothing  daunted,  the  Hobolochitto  turned  its  face 
hopefulh^  to  the  east.  In  1873,  it  most  cheerfull3'  wel- 
comed the  representatives  of  the  new  association — the 
West  Peai-1  River.  Three  churches  were  received  from 
their  eastern  borders,  viz:  Ten  Alile,  Sunny  Hih,  and 
Sand  Hill.  The  Mission  Board  was  re-appointed  (ex- 
cept Slaj'den),  with  the  addition  ot  one  member  from 
each  of  the  newl3'  received  churches.  Elini  church  and 
Ba3'  St.  Louis  petitioned  the  Association  to  send  a  mis- 
sionary "to  labor  with  them,  and  assist  them  in  their 
next  representation."  The  Alacedonian  cr3'  came  to 
the  Hobolochitto  from  the  east  and  from  the  south. 

Thomas  Price  preached  the  introductory  sermon  be- 
fore the  bod}'  in  1874.  He  was  a  man  of  fine  common 
vSense  and  a  due  amount  of  grace.  A  new  era  wa& 
dawning,  and  new  men  were  coming  to  the  front.  T.  D. 
Bush  was  clerk  of  the  bod^'.  W.  A.  Whitfield  was  pres- 
ent as  a  delegate  from  Elim  church.    J.  B.  Hamberlin, 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     I5APTISTS.  1025 

the  missionarvof  the  State  Mission  Board  on  the  eoast^ 
by  request,  preached  the  missionary  sermon.  On  mo- 
tion, a  committee  was  formed  on  Domestic  missions, 
which  was  something  new.  The  body  was  united  in 
its  interests,  and  was  read\^  for  an  onwanl  movement. 

It  was  resolved  tliat  the  Association  o])en  corres- 
pondence with  the  State  Convention,  and  also  with  the 
General  Association.  The  Hobolochitto  recognized 
these  two  general  bodies  as  useful,  and  wished  to  get 
into  touch  with  them. 

A.  AI.  Sla^^den  and  John  Williams  had  served  under 
their  Missionary  Board,  (and  J.  B.  Hamberlin  was: 
missionary  in  their  bounds).  They  had  liaj)tized  seven- 
ty-two people,  organized  one  church,  and  collected 
$148.00  on  the  held.  Their  territory  embraced  the 
entire  counties  of  Hancock  and  Harrison,  and  part  of 
Marion,  Jackson  and  Perry.  In  these  counties,  the- 
Hobolochitto  had  eighteen  churches.  The  following^ 
year,  a  collection  was  taken  to  aid  the  General  Associa- 
tion in  its  work. 

In  1877,  this  resolution  ol)tained  acceptance: 

"Resolved,  That  this  .\ss()ciation  appoint  an  Execu- 
tive Mission  Board,  consisting  of  three  members,  nomin- 
ated by  the  chair,  and  appointed  In- this  body;  that  said 
Board  receive  all  money  from  the  hands  of  the  treas- 
urer, for  missionary  purposes,  employ  a  missionary  to 
labor  in  the  destitution  of  this  Association,  and  rei)ort 
their  proceedings,  etc.  The  three  members  of  the  com- 
mittewere:  Hiram  P.Smith,  Jesse  Lee,  and  Wiggins- 
Hatten.  The  destitution  in  the  bounds  of  the  AsscKna- 
tion  was  on  Pearl  River,  west  of  the  Hobolochitto, 
southeast  of  Gainesville  and  southeast  of  Black  Ci-eek.. 

The  efforts  of  the  Hobolochitto  were  becoming  far- 
reaching.   Since  the  going  out  of  the  Louisiana  churches 


1026  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

HO  missionary  work  was  done  west  of  Pearl  River. 
There  was  great  destitution  east,  and  they  gave  their 
attention  to  it. 

Another  division  of  the  Association  was  imminent. 
The  body  had,  in  1879,  twenty-one  churches,  in  four 
counties,  with  a  membership  of  945  persons.  The 
broadening  of  their  scope  of  vision  is  seen  in  the  in- 
creased Hst  of  committees  appointed  at  the  annual 
meetings.  In  that  year,  committees  were  raised  on 
Foreign  missions.  Home  missions.  Publications,  Sun- 
day schools,  and  Obituaries.  The  Executive  Mission 
Board,  appointed  the  year  before,  reported  that  soon 
a  sufficient  number  of  churches  would  be  constituted  to 
cover  all  the  field.  Happy  state  of  religious  affairs, 
T.  D.  Bush  offered  a  resolution  to  the  effect  that,  in 
1880  the3'  co-operate  with  the  General  Association,  and 
Vi'ith  the  Baptist  State  Convention.  In  the  Hobolo- 
chitto  were  many  friends  ot  these  general  bodies. 

In  1880,  the  Committee  on  Publications  recom- 
mended the  Baptist  Record,  and  resolution  was  at- 
tached to  the  report  commending  the  Southern  Baptist. 
This  showed  a  difference  of  sentiment  in  the  body, 
Avhich  was,  perhaps,  caused  by  the  long  distance  be- 
tween the  extremes  of  their  territorA'.  The  time  had 
come  for  another  division  of  the  body.  The  Committee 
on  Petitions  and  Requests  recommended  that  letters  of 
dismission  be  granted  to  the  following  churches :  Ju- 
niper Grove,  Ten  Miles,  Spring  Hill,  Canceling  Hill, 
Mt.  Zion,  Red  Creek,  Union,  Oak  Grove,  Sand  Hill, 
Morris  Hill,  Black  Creek.  These  churches  formed  the 
Red  Creek  Association. 

In  1883,  Hickor3'  Creek  and  Poplarville  churches 
went  into  the  institution.  The  Hobolochitto  had  won- 
derful  recuperative  power.     Just   west   of  it  was  the 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1027 

West  Pearl  River,  to  the  north  was  the  Pearl  River, 
and  to  the  east  the  Red  Creek.  So  the  body  began  to 
give  attention  to  a  more  thorongh  interned  develojinient 
and  to  look  toward  the  seaboard.  Taylor  Frierson 
(col.)  sought  help  for  his* association,  the  Sea  Coast, 
and  three  ministers  volunteered  assistance — H.  M.  Slay- 
den,  J.  P.  Johnson,  and  Thomas  Price.  In  that  year, 
the  sum  of  $94-. 20  was  collected  for  associational  mis- 
sions. J.  P.  Johnson,  their  missi()nar3',  traveled  950 
miles,  preached  150  sermons,  l)aptized  twelve  believers, 
and  aided  in  the  constitution  of  three  churches. 

In  the  3'ears  of  the  existence  of  the  Hobolochitto, 
that  we  have  held  under  review,  \V.  H.  Varnado  was 
moderator  in  1861  and  1863,  Freeman  Jones  m  1865, 
W.  H.  Varnado  from  1866  to  1869,  W.  G.  Stovall  in 
1871,  A.  M.  vSlayden  from  1872  to  1876,  Thomas  Price 
from  1877  to  1881,  and  A.  M.  Slayden  in  1888.  The 
clerks  were  A.  M.  Slay  den  from  1862  to  1864,  W.  F. 
Elliott  in  1865,  T.J,  Simmons  from  1866  to  1871, 
Hardy  Smith  in  1872,  T.  D.  Bush  from  1873  to  1879, 
and  f.  D.  Mitchell  from  1880  to  1883. 

The  Hobolochitto  was  composed  of  strong,  sensible 
men,  men  who  strove  for  the  greatest  good  and  for  the 
greatest  number.  Their  movement  forward  was  not 
feverish,  at  any  time,  but  slow,  steady,  sure.  The  body 
has  had  a  great  mission  to  fill,  and  has  proved  worthy 
of  their  sacred  commission. 


1028  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

SPRINC, FIELD   ASSOCIATION. 

The  churches  of  the  Springfield  Association  were,  at 
the  time  of  its  constitution,  in  the  counties  of  Rankin, 
Scott,  Smith  and  Leake.  The  churches  that  were  in 
Rankin  were,  New  Prospect,  Pelahatchie,  Union  and 
Antioch;  in  Scott,  Lime  Creek,  Shiloh,  Forest,  New 
Prospect,  Hopewell,  Rocky  Creek,  Springfield,  Hills- 
boro,  Homewood  and  Morton  ;  in  Leake,  Primitive  Hill; 
in  Smith,  Mt.  Carmel  and  High  Hill.  These  14-  churches 
had  a  membership  of  978.  The  churches  of  Rankin 
were  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county;  of  Smith,  in  the 
■v\^estern  part ;  and  of  Southern  Lake.  The  churches  of 
Scott  were  from  various  parts  of  the  county.  The  rail- 
way trom  Vicksburg  to  Meridian  was  through  the  ter- 
ritory of  the  Association. 

The  constituency'  of  the  body  is  of  people  of  sterling 
worth.  The  members  of  the  churches  are  mostly  far- 
mers, men  who  attend  strictly  and  honestly  to  their 
own  business  and  make  a  comfortable  living  for  them- 
selves and  their  families.  None  of  them  are  of  great 
learning  or  profound  scholarship,  l3ut  the^'^  know  many 
things,  and  know  them  well,  especially  about  the  Word 
of  God. 

The  churches  of  this  Association  were  mostly  from 
the  Strong  River,  the  Mount  Olive  and  the  Mt.  Pisgah 
Association.     The  Springfield  at  first  showed  a  strong. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1029 

sympathy  tor  the  Baptist  State  Convention,  but  after- 
ward suffered  some  thiui^s  to  sHsj^htly  alienate  them 
from  that  general  organizcition.  That  their  sentiment 
should  be  somewhat  divided  l)etween  the  Convention 
on  the  west  and  the  General  Assoeiation  on  tlie  east,  is 
not  to  be  a  subjeet  of  wonder.  It  ma^''  be  just  and 
right  just  here  to  say,  that  the  General  Association  of 
East  Mississippi  has  done  a  grand  work.  It  has  done 
what  the  convention  coukl  not  have  done  with  the 
people  of  that  section  of  the  State.  Thefarmers  of  those 
pine  hills  were  not  wealthy,  nor  remarkable  for  their 
extended  information,  and  would  not  have  yielded  to 
the  progressive  sentiments  of  the  convention.  It  was 
necessary  to  be  patient  in  holding  them  together  and 
properly  directing  them  in  missionary  work  without 
expecting  any  great  things  from  them.  All  praise  to 
N.  L.  Clark  and  his  co-la1)orers,  that  thev  have,  with 
years  of  patient-  labor,  held  those  people  true  to  the 
faith,  so  that  now,  when  railways  are  threading  their 
territory,  they  are  ready  to  be  used  for  church  exten- 
sion. 

There  were  two  churches  that  went  into  the  consti- 
tution of  the  Springfield  Association  which  had  a  lau- 
dable desire  that  the  new  association  should  bear  the 
name  they  carried,  the  Springfield  and  the  Hopewell. 
But  the  body  chose  the  former  name.  Yet  after  years 
have  passed  the  Scott  County  and  the  Springfield  Asso- 
ciations have  united  in  one  organization,  which  is  called 
the  Hopewell  Association.  The  cheerful  submission  of 
the  Hopewell  church  was  held  in  kindly  remembrancx?, 
and  the  church  at  last  honored.  It  is  delightful  to  note 
such  beautiful  recompense  of  a  kind  Providence. 

The  Sjiringfield  Association  was  constituted  at  the 
Springfield  church,  Scott  county,  August  28,  1875.     W. 


1030  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

R.  Butler,  a  member  of  the  Hillsboro  church,  was  elected 
moderator.  He  was  a  successful  planter,  owning  at  one 
time  360  acres  of  land.  He  was  a  Mason,  and  was  1)y 
all  regarded  as  a  correct  man.  S.  H.  Kirkland,  a  thought- 
ful man  and  a  true  Baptist,  was  chosen  clerk,  and  J.  L. 
Gresham,  of  Forest,  a  sturd_y  l3usiness  man,  was  made 
treasurer. 

It  was  after  the  organization  was  ])erfected  that 
the  Pelahatchie  church  went  into  the  union.  The  Rules 
of  Decorum  provided  that  the  moderator  was  elligible 
to  his  office  for  only  two  (2)  sittings  of  the  Association, 
a  rule  that  was  afterward  rescinded.  The  l3od3'  cheer- 
fully resolved  to  co-operate  wath  the  State  Alission 
Board  of  the  Baptist  State  Convention.  They  gave  to 
State  missions  $116.00,  and  to  Foreign  and  Indian 
missions  $100.00  each. 

Their  second  annual  session  was  held  with  the  New 
Prospect  church,  Rankin  county.  The  officers  of  the 
last  session  were  re-elected .  Five  churches  were  received 
into  the  union,  Polkville,  Rock  Bluff,  Union,  White  Oak 
and  Antioch.  Among  the  visitors  and  correspondents 
w^ere  T.  A.  Haley,  H.  M.  Long,  W.  D.  Magouirk,  W.  S. 
Webb,  J.  H.  Whitfield,  J.  C.  Bruce,  T.J.  Walne  and  M. 
T.  Alartin. 

The  first  report  received  was  the  document  on  the 
Centennial  movement.  The  report  recommended  that 
a  contril)ution  be  raised  for  the  endowment  of  Missis- 
sippi College,  and  that  the  delegates  composing  the 
bod}'  be  appointed  a  committee  in  their  respective 
chui'ches  to  solicit  donations. 

The  Executive  Board  had  not  done  anj'  missionary 
work  in  their  bounds.  They  gave  two  reasons  for  this 
apparent  neglect :  the^'  did  not  have  the  money  suffi- 
cient for  the  support  of  a  missionary,  and  really  there 


HISTORY     (IF     ^5  SSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1031 

was  little,  if  any,  destitution  within  their  l^ounds 
They  had  been  instrneted  to  eo-operate  with  the  State 
Mission  Board,  and  had  turned  over  to  its  eorrespond- 
mg  seeretary  all  the  monej'  the}'  had.  The  Assoeiation 
during  the  first  year  of  its  existence  gave  $81.30  to 
State  missions,  the  second  3^ear,  $288.50,  with  $7. SO  to 
Foreign  missions. 

In  1875,  the  only  method  of  communication  Missis 
sippi  Baptists  had  as  a  newspaper  was  the  Mississippi 
Department  of  llie  Baptist,  of  Alemphis,  Tenn.  In 
North  Mississippi  The  Baptist  was  extensiveh'  read. 
But  this  new  association  in  Central  Mississippi  did  not 
mention  it  in  its  report  on  Publications.  The  Southern 
Baptist,  of  Meridian,  had  just  l)een  projected  as  ^i  reli- 
gious newspaper  enterprise,  and,  though  little  was 
known  of  it,  was  timidly  recommended. 

The  fourth  annual  session  was  held  with  the  Mount 
Carmel  church,  in  Smith  county,  Home  wood  the  post- 
office.  The  moderator  was  re-elected  and  J.  D.  W.  Duck- 
■w'orth  chosen  clerk,  with  W.  W.  Lowrey  treasurer 
The  prominent  visitors  were  N.  L.  Clark,  T.J.  Walne 
and  M.  T.  Martin. 

The  spiritual  condition  of  the  churches  was  re- 
ported good  and  most  of  them  in  a  healthy  and  pros- 
perous condition.  They  were  ready  for  work.  The 
college  and  its  work  were  commended,  and  patronage 
pledged.  The  regret  was  expressed  in  the  report  on 
Missions  that  only  eight  of  the  twenty-one  churches 
had  contributed  to  mi.ssions.  It  was  recommended  a 
systematic  pkm  of  benevolence  be  adopted,  and  collec- 
tions taken  in  all  the  churches  at  stated  periods.  But 
the  report  of  the  Executive  Board  showed  that  teu 
churches  had  made  contributions  to  missions,  amount- 
ing to  $90.20.     An  appeal  was  made  to  the  churches 


1032  HISTORY     UF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

tt)  come  to  the  help  ot"  the  Executive  Board,  that   the 

showing'  for  missions   might  be  more  creditable  and 

more  in  accord  with   their  ability.     A  continuance  of 

^ijo-operation  with  the  State  Board  was  recommended. 

Year  by  year,  the  supporters  of  the  Convention 
Avatched  their  interests  in  the  Springfield.  Their  hold 
■on  this  territory  was  tentative,  but  it  was  b\'  a  steady 
^rasp.  In  1878,  among  the  visitors  to  the  Association 
were:  W.S.Webb,  M.  T.  Martin,  J.  B.Gambrell,  George 
Whitfield  and  T.  J.  Walne.  The  Minutes  we're  printed 
that  year  1)y  the  Baptist  Record,  But  the  report  on 
Publications  was  neutral  as  to  religious  newspapers, 
No  publication  was  recommended. 

The  Executive  Board  reported  that  no  effort  had 
been  made  to  do  missionary  work  in  their  bounds. 
The  work  of  the  State  Alission  Board  was  described, 
the  pastors  earnestly  retiuested  to  ])reach  on  missions, 
^md  the  churches  to  contribute  liberally  to  the  work. 

In  1879,  the  Springfield  met  with  the  Liberty 
•church,  Scott  county,  commencing  September 28.  R.W. 
Butler  was  elected  moderator,  the  clerk  and  treasurer 
^were  re-elected.  Nearly  all  the  churches  reported  ad- 
ditions to  their  inembership.  Among  the  visitors  here 
this  session  was  M.  P.  Murrell  of  the  Mount  Pisgah 
Association.  It  is  said  that  he  was  a  preacher  of  great 
ability.  When  it  was  known  he  was  to  preach  great 
crowds  gathered  to. hear  him.  For  a  number  of  years 
he  enjoyed  great  popularity  in  central  East  Missis- 
sippi. A.  Gressett,  of  Meridian,  was  also  at  the  Associa- 
tion, and  preached  on  the  "  Condescension  of  Christ." 

The  body  was  beginning  to  show  a  restlessness  as 
to  its  work  done  through  the  State  Alission  Board. 
The  clerk  of  the  bodv  was  asked  to  ascertain  from  T.  J, 
'Walne  what  the  churches  had   done  through  the  last 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1033 

■associational  year.  .Much  of  the  contributions  to  State 
missions  was  sent  directly  to  T.J.  Walne,  and  the  E.x- 
ecutive  Board  was  in  hHsstul  isjnorance  as  to  what  the 
churches  were  doing. 

Z.  T.  Falkner  presented  an  interesting  re])ort  on 
Sunda\"  schools.  Three  churches,  Forest,  Rocky  Bluff, 
and  New  Prospect  of  Rankin  county,  reported  Sabbath 
schools  with  an  average  attendance  of  seventy-five  or 
eighty  i)upils.  As  no  Sunday  school  statistics  cippear 
in  the  Minutes,  we  have  no  waj'  of  finding  out  how 
many  of  the  churches  had  Sunday  schools.  In  the  re- 
port referred  to  it  is  urged  that  when  it  was  not  prac- 
ticable to  keep  up  a  weekh''  Sunday  school  the  pastor 
should  gather  their  churches  in  Sunday-school  capacity 
and  teach  the  word  of  God.  The  following  year,  Z.  T. 
Falkner  again  placed  this  subject  before  the  Association. 
He  was  encouraged.  The  Sunday  school  work  was 
growing.  Six  churches  reported  Sunday  schools  in  a 
flourishing  condition — Polkville,  Antioch,  New  Prospect, 
(Rankin)  Forest,  White  Oak  and  Line  Creek.  These 
churches  had  a  total  average  attendance  of  200  pupils. 
This  was  a  considerable  gain  over  the  previous  \'ear. 

The  growing  restlessness  of  the  body  as  to  its  co- 
operation with  the  State  Board  appears  in  two  ways. 
A  resolution  was  passed,  ordering  the  treasurer  to  re- 
tain in  hand  all  inission  funds  unexpended  subject  to 
the  disposal  of  the  Executive  Bocird.  A  complaint  is 
subjoined  to  the  report  on  missions  b\''  the  clerk  that 
T.J.  Walne  had  not  complied  with  the  request  of  the 
Association  to  send  to  the  clerk  a  statement  of  the 
State  mission  work  for  the  past  year.  The  total  con- 
tril)utions  reported  to  the  Association  were  $68.55. 

The  following  year  the  Convention  had  no  repre- 
sentative at   their  meetintj.     Prominent  among  their 


1034  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

visitors  were  X.  L.  Clark  and  A.  Gressett.  Correspond- 
enee  was  arranLjed  with  a  number  of  assoeiations  and 
with  the  General  Assoeiation,  but  a  proposition  to 
vsend  delegates  to  the  State  Convention  met  opposition, 
and  the  motion  was  tabled.  The  report  on  Publica- 
tions reeommended  The  Baptist  of  Alemphis,  the  West- 
ern Recorder,  ForcVs  Repository  and  Kind  Words,  but 
not  a  breathing  appeared  on  the  page  as  to  the  Baptist 
Record.  In  the  report  of  the  Executive  Board  it  Avas 
suggested  that  the  Association  retain  within  her  own 
hands  "  all  domestic  or  home  missionary  funds,  and  all 
surpluses  on  hand  for  associational  purposes,  and  ap- 
propriate the  same  to  the  supph'ing  of  the  destitution 
within  our  own  liounds,  and  that  we  thus,  for  the  pres- 
ent, dissolve  all  our  connection  with  all  other  mission- 
ary bodies.''  The  utterance  was  plain.  The  crisis  had 
come.  But  a  due  and  fair  explanation  was  made  of 
this  action  in  the  corres])onding  letter.  ''  We  have  con- 
cluded to  employ'  a  missionary  in  the  bounds  of  our 
association,  but  we  do  not  intend  to  do  anything  that 
Avill  l)e  detrimental  to  the  State  Mission  Board.''  There 
was  disaftection,  but  no  malice. 

In  1882,  four  new  churches  were  received  into  the 
union :  Leesburg,  Rankin  county;  Siloain,  Simpson 
county;  New  Zion,  Smith  county,  and  Good  Water, 
Smith  county.  In  1883,  Mountain  Hill  and  Campbell 
Creek  churches  were  received  from  the  Strong  River 
Association ;  in  1884-,  S3'lvan  Grove  and  Mt.  Zion  of 
Smith  county,  and  Poplar  Springs  churches  of  Simpson 
county  were  received,  and  the  following  year  Shady 
Grove  of  Smith  count}^;  in  1886,  Grand  Hill,  Scott 
county;  the  next  year,  Beulah,  Ephesus,  Good  Hope, 
Harmony,  Fellowship,  and  Sharon.  In  1888,  Sardis, 
Union,  Galilee,  and  New  Hope  (Smith  county). 


HISTORY     OF     MISSIvSSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1035 

In  1882,  there  were  twenty-six  ehurches  in  the 
union,  and  in  1888,  a  total  of  forty  churehes.  That 
year,  by  resolution,  the  elerk  was  ordered  to  write  let- 
ters of  dismission  "to  any  ehurch  belonging  to  this 
body."  Upon  this  resolution  a  number  of  ehurches 
left  the  Association  to  go  into  other  connections. 

Between  1882  and  1890,  there  was  not  any  agita- 
tion in  the  part  of  our  State  in  which  this  association 
was  concerned.  But  as  "eternal  vigilance  is  the  price 
oflibert3',"  the  body  had  annual  reports  on  Temper- 
ance. It  ma3'  not  be  amiss  to  give  some  of  the  closing- 
sentences  of  these  annual  deliverances.  "  .\othing  pei"* 
manent  can  be  effected  against  the  sin  of  intemperance 
and  the  use  ot  intoxicating  liquors  *  *  *  until  the 
masses  are  convinced  that  such  things  are  morally 
wrong."  "We  would  give  as  our  deliberate  opinion 
that  no  member  of  any  Baptist  church  has  a  right  to 
buy,  sell,  or  use  as  a  beverage,  any  intoxicating  hquors, 
or  frequent  places  where  they  are  kept  for  use."  "  Let 
us  as  a  body  of  Christians,  endeavor  to  keep  our  Ijoys 
from  drinking  in  saloons,  and  be  sure  to  keep  away 
ourselves."  "We  recommend  to  our  ministers  and  lay- 
men that  they  endeavor  to  inculcate  sound  temper- 
ance principles  in  the  minds  of  the  colored  race."  "Your 
committee  would  earnestly  endorse  the  petitron  as  pre- 
pared and  addressed  to  the  Constitutional  Convention 
by  J.  B.  Gambrell  on  the  subject  of  prohil)ition,  asking 
for  a  prohibition  clause  in  our  organic  law."" 

Sunday  schools  had  some  warm  advocates  in  the 
Springfield,  but  their  Sunday  schools  had  small  life  and 
a  fluctuating  existence.  In  1883,  it  was  decided  that  a 
Sunday-school  Institute  1)e  held  at  9  a.  m.  on  the  Sun- 
day included  in  the  meeting  of  the  body,  but,  if  it 
was  held,  no  record   is  made  of  its  work.     Too  otten 


1036  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

the  Sundiiy  school  interest  is'givcn  the  most  profitless 
hour  of  the  time  occupied  b3'  our  public  gatherings, 
and  speakers  appointed  for  the  occasion  whose  feeling- 
must  be  respected,  but  whose  utterances  are  profitless. 

In  1 884,  the  report  on  Sunday  schools  had  this  ex- 
pression :  "  There  are  now  more  Sunday-  schools  in  suc- 
cessful operation  in  our  bounds  than  ever  before.'' 
This  might  have  been  true,  and  yet  not  a  matter  of 
congratulation.  The  same  cheerfulness  characterized 
the  report  of  the  following  year.  In  1886, ^the  report 
was  discouraging,  and  no  better  in  1887.  But  in  1888, 
it  was  said,  "  We  are  glad  to  know  that  a  goodly  num- 
ber of  our  churches  report  Sunday  schools:"  but  in 
1890,  the  profound  regret  was  expressed,  the  Associa- 
tion having  twenty-six  churches  with  a  total  member- 
ship of  1,312,  reported  only  five  (5)  Sunday  schools. 

The  usual  attention  was  given  b\'  this  body  to  the 
general  educational  interests.  Reports  were  made 
yearly  on  Mississippi  College.  They  had  no  denomina- 
tional school  in  their  borders.  In  1884,  the^-  passed  a 
commendatory  resolution  as  to  the  S\'lvarena  High 
School  under  the  fostering  care  of  the  General  Associa- 
tion, but  Sylvarena  was  southeast  of  their  territory. 
In  1889,  they  commended  the  effort  then  being  made  for 
the  endowment  of  Mississippi  College,  and.  in  1890, 
proffered  pecuniary  aid  to  the  effort.  The  territory  of 
the  Association  has  furnished  the  college  some  good 
students,  and  some  of  them  are  now  making  a  worthy 
record. 

The  religious  newspaper  for  the  family  was  not  a 
subject  of  unanimous  agreement  in  the  Springfield. 
Which  way  should  they  look  for  a  home  paper  ?  The 
Record  was  published  west  of  them,  the  Southern  Bap- 
tist east   of  them.    From   1882  to   1886,  both  these 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  103  i 

papers  were  commended,  the  only  preference  that  was- 
shown  The  Record  was,  thiit  it  was  invarialjly  spoken 
of  before  the  Southern  Baptist.  From  18S6tolS89, 
inclusive,  the  Southern  Baptist  Record,  the  consol- 
idated interests  of  the  two  i)apers  was  commended. 
In  1890,  the  Mississippi  Baptist,  published  at  Newton 
b3^  N.  L.  Clark,  was  commended  along  with  The  South, 
em  Baptist  Recoid,  Kind  Words,  The  Little  Missionary, 
The  Religious  Herald,  The  Foreign  Journal,  and  the 
Home  Field  occasionally  received  favorable  mention. 

The  visible  unrest  of  the  Springfield  was  in  its  al- 
liances in  missionary  work.  The  perplexing  question 
was,  should  it  associate  itself  with  the  Convention,  or 
the  General  Association,  or  should  it  do  neither,  but 
carry  on  work  in  the  Association  unallied  with  either 
of  the  general  bodies.  They  began  to  co-operate  with 
the  Convention  in  its  work.  The  relation  was  hapjiy. 
They  said  they  had  no  destitution  in  their  limits.  The 
General  .\ssociation  made  no  overture,  but  played  the 
role  of  the  gentleman.  The  number  of  churches  in- 
creased, and  their  Ijorders  were  extended,  then  they 
had  destitution.     What  should  be  done  ? 

In  1882,  A.  J.  Hill,  one  of  their  most  infiuential 
preachers,  made  an  acceptable  motion  they  continue  to 
carr\'  on  their  own  work,  and  a  collection  was  taken 
for  their  work,  amounting  to  $57.00.  In  Xoveml)er, 
1881,  Z.  T.  P^alkner  was  employed  as  their  evangelist, 
and  did  good  work.  Morton  and  Pelahatchie  had 
been  supplied  from  Mississippi  College.  The  continu- 
ance of  the  plan  of  keeping  £in  evangelist  in  the  field 
was  decided  upon.  The  follov^ing  ^'■ear  there  was  con- 
flicting sentiment.  A  short  preamble  and  resolution 
were  adopted,  asserting  that  there  was  no  destitution 
in  their  bounds,  and  suggesting  the   discontinuance  ot 


1038  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

missionarv  colportage  and  evangelistic  work,  jjut  the 
Executive  Board  recommended  that  the  plan  1)e  con- 
tinued as  heretofore. 

In  1884,  the  Baptist  State  Convention  made  over- 
tures to  them  for  co-operation.  For  this  proposition 
the  Springfield  returned  thanks,  but  thought  it  not  ad- 
visable to  take  action  in  the  matter,  as  the  body  was 
divided  on  the  subject.  The  following  year,  the  man 
they  delighted  to  honor,  W.  R.  Butler,  acted  as  their 
missionarv.  He  did  good  work.  Ladies  missionary 
societies  were  encouraged. 

In  1886,  J.  A.  Hill  moved  to  discontinue  their  mis- 
sionar\^  work.  The  motion  was  well  discussed,  and^ 
finally  was  carried.  But  the  E^xecutive  Committee  still 
called  for  the  continuance  of  their  associational  work. 
The  next  3^ear,  the  whole  work  was  turned  over  to  the 
Executive  Board,  but  their  missionary  work  was  to  be 
restricted  to  the  Homewood  church. 

In  1888,  the  matter  of  co-operation  with  one  or 
the  other  of  the  two  general  bodies  was  referred  to  the 
churches.  That  action  was  democratic  and  Baptistic, 
but  we  do  not  find  that  the  churches  responded  to  the 
proposition.  H.  F.  Husbands,  a  most  acceptable  man, 
had  preached  through  the  year  as  missionary  at  Home- 
Wood.  The  Association  seemed  determined  to  make 
something  of  the  church  at  Homewood,  which  had  at 
that  time  just  ten  members.  Homewood  is  in  the  in- 
terior, fifteen  or  twenty  miles  southeast  from  Morton. 
In  1890,  a  movement  was  on  foot  to  build  a  church 
house  at  Homewood.  A  collection  was  taken  bv  T.  J. 
Miley  for  this  purpose  of  $60.50  in  cash  and  pledges; 
and  Hi  Eastland  agreed  to  furnish  all  the  nails  for  the 
.building. 

In  1890,  the  Executive  Board  at  last  vielded  to  the 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1039 

inevitable,  and  reeonmiended  that  in  the  future  the  As- 
sociation co-operate  with  the  Baptist  State  Conven- 
tion, that  the  missionary,  Sunday  school  and  colport- 
age  work,  with  all  the  funds  they  had  on  hand,  be 
turned  over  to  the  State  Mission  Board.  The  wheel 
had  turned  around.     The  chapter  was  ended. 

From  1882  to  1890,  the  moderators  of  the  Spring- 
field Association  was  \V.  K.  Butler.  He  was  mod- 
erator of  this  bod^'  sixteen  years.  The  clerks  were 
Hi  Eastland  from  18S2  to  1887,  inclusive,  W.  P.Frank- 
lin in  1888,  1889  and  1890.  The  treasurers  were  J. 
McPhersonin  1882  and  1883,  S.  "Drummond  in  1884, 
W,  A.  Gatewood  from  1885  to  1890.  The  sttong  men 
in  the  Association  in  this  period  were  Z.  T.  Falkner, 
W.  R.  Butler,  W.  P.  Chapman,  T.  J.Wiley,  Hi  Eastland, 
S.  H.  Kirkland,  J.  A.  Hill,  W.  P.  Franklin,  and  W.  A. 
Gateway. 

In  1892,  the  body  met  with  Shady  Grove  church, 
Smith  county.  T.  J.  Wiley  was  elected  moderator, 
W.  P.  Franklin,  clerk,  and  W.  A.  Gatewa\',  treasurer. 
There  were  twent3'-seven  churches  in  the  body  \vith  a 
total  membership  of  1,386.  The  churches  received  111 
b^' baptism.  They  gave  to  Foreign  missions  $118.30, 
and  to  State  missions  $4-7.03.  The  Association  ad- 
journed to  meet  with  the  Hillsboro  church  on  Saturday 
before  the  fourth  Sunday  in  September,  1893.  W.  H. 
Boone  was  to  ])rcach  the  associational  sermon. 


1040  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

MOUNT   OLIVE  ASSOCIATION. 

It  must  he  reniemljered  that  the  existence  of  this 
bodj^  was  one  of  the  results  of  the  contention  that 
arose  in  the  Harmony  Association  in  1874,  as  to  the 
reception  of  the  Stump  Bridge  church  in  that  organiza- 
tion. The  Mount  Olive  Association  no  longer  exists,, 
but  in  its  brief  life  rendered  itself  worthy  of  a  passing 
consideration. 

After  the  withdrawal  of  the  delegates— Rehoboth,. 
Good  Hope,  Bethlehem,  Haj-s  Creek,  Doak's  Creek,  and 
Friendship  churches  from  the  meeting  of  the  Harmony 
Association  in  1874,  these  disaffected  churches  held 
annual  sessions  in  a  kind  of  chaotic  state.  On  Friday, 
October  19,  1877,  their  delegates  with  representatives 
of  other  churches  met  with  the  Mount  Pisgah  churchy 
Rankin  county,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  an  associa- 
tion. The  following  churches  were  represented  in  the 
Convention:  Bethlehem,  Doak's  Creek,  Friendship, 
Hays  Creek,  Hebron,  Landi?iark,  Mt.  Pisgah,  Mt.  Oli- 
vet, and  Rehoboth,  These  churches  were  in  the  coun- 
ties of  Scott,  Madison,  Leake  and  Rankin.  Their  pas- 
tors were  Wm.  Robinson,  M.  B.  Maum,  T.  E.  Morris, 
A.  J.  Tripp,  W.  W.  Kirsh.  and  G.  W.  Davis. 

On  motion  the  ])ody  resolved  itself  into  an  associa- 
tion, and  assumed  the  name,  Mt.  Olive  Baptist  .4sso- 
ciation.  M.B.  Maum  was  chosen  as  moderator.  Berry 
Bilbro,   clerk,    and   O.  H.  Parker,   treasurer.     They  re- 


PIISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1041 

ceived  S.  H.  Home  and  E.  Creel  as  messengers  from  the 
Mount  Pisgah  Association.  Little  was  done  at  that 
sitting  of  the  Association  beyond  the  return  of  corres- 
pondence, the  usual  preaching,  the  reading  of  the  re- 
ports of  some  committees  on  general  benevolence,  and 
the  adoption  of  articles  of  faith  and  rules  of  decorum. 

The  session  of  1878  was  held  with  the  Mt.  Olivet 
church.  The  moderator  and  clerk  were  re-elected,  and 
P.  H.  Bil1:)ro  chosen  as  treasurer.  On  iiccount  of  the 
epidemic  of  yellow  fever,  the  session  was  held  in  Decem- 
ber. Eight  churches  were  represented.  It  seems  that 
the  Landmark  church,  like  Bunyan's  "  Plialile,''  went 
with  them  only  a  short  wa^-  and  left  them.  It  is  said 
that  it  withdrew  fellowship.  The  following  year,  thev 
passed  preamble  and  resolutions  as  to  that  cantering,. 
wa\'ward  member.  It  is  said  that  the  Landmark 
church  went  away  without  provocation,  and  was 
charged  with  disorder,  and  fellowship  withdrawn  from 
the  withdrawer  of  fellowship.  Honors  were  even.  The 
sum  of  $23.05  was  received  from  the  churches  for  the 
printing  of  their  Minutes;  that  was  all. 

In  1879,  the  Association  met  down  in  Scott  count\% 
with  the  Bethlehem  church.  The  presence  of  A.  Gres- 
sett,  of  Mount  IMsgah,  was  noticed,  and  the  privileges 
of  the  floor  granted  him.  He  preached  on  Sunday  at 
11  o'clock  a.  m.  Prof.  M.  T.  Martin  was  also  with 
them,  and  it  is  said  he  preached  an  interesting  sermon 
on  Monday.  Correspondence  was  returned  to  the  Mt. 
Pisgah  Association.  The  report  on  Missions  declared 
that  there  was  much  destitution  in  their  bounds,  and 
recommended  more  activity  in  mission  work. 

The  session  of  1880  was  held  with  the  Hebron 
church,  Madison  county,  beginning  October  9.  The 
moderator  anfl  clerk  were  re-elected,  and  D.  W.  Denson, 


1042  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

elected  treasurer.  The  principal  business  was  the  ap- 
pointment of  a  committee  to  investigate  some  troubles 
in  the  Hays  Creek  church.  One  faction  of  the  church 
presented  a  letter  to  the  Association  in  1879,  and  an- 
other in  1880.  The  first  letter  Avith  the  delegates  was 
received  iqDon  the  persuasion  that  the  troubles  in  the 
Hays  Creek  church  were  to  be  investigated  ;  the  investi- 
«^ation  was  not  made,  and  the  Association  deceived  in 
the  matter.  The  delegates  at  meeting  of  1880,  were 
requested  to  withdraw  their  petition,  that  the  Associa- 
tion might  1)e  free  to  investigate  the  differences  in  the 
church.     The  child  resembles  its  mother. 

At  the  request  of  some  members  of  the  Harmony 
Association  a  committee  was  appointed  to  report  on 
^vhat  terms  correspondence  could  be  established  be- 
tween the  two  bodies.  The  committee  reported  that, 
the  Harmony  Association  would  have  to  confess  disor- 
der in  receiving  the  Stump  Bridge  church  on  a  majority 
vote,  and  by  repudiating  and  having  removed  the  thir- 
teen baptisms  administered,  and  the  ordination  of  two 
deacons,  in  the  disorganized  state  of  a  church. 

The  fifth  annual  session  of  the  body  was  held  with 
the  Rehoboth  church,  Rankin  countv,  beginning  on 
Saturday  Ijefore  the  second  Sunday  in  October,  1881V 
J.  AI.  Pearson  was  to  preach  the  introductory  sermon, 
and  M.  B.  Maum  xhe  annual  "sermon  at  11  o'clock  a.m. 
on  the  Sabliath.  M.  B.  Alaum  was  a  good  man,  and  a 
very  acceptaljle  preacher  in  that  part  of  the  State. 

In  1884,  P.  H.  Bilbro  was  appointed  to  preach  the 
introductory  sermon  in  1885.  But  the  appointee  being 
abs.ent  Wilham  Robinson  preached  the  sermon.  At  the 
session  of  1885,  William  Robinson  was  elected  modera- 
tor, Berry  Bilbro,  clerk,  and  D.  W.  Denson,  treasurer. 
The  Central  and  the  Springfield  associations  were  rep- 
resented by  messengers. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1043 

In  their  letter  of  cDrrespondenee  we  tind  this  eon- 
fession :  "We  regret  to  sa\-,  that  there  has  Ijeen  but 
little  done  to  advanee  the  eause  of  Christ."'  In  the  fin- 
nancial  statement  we  find  that  thej-  gave  that  assoeia- 
tional  3-ear  to  Indian  missions  $15.80,  to  Sustentation 
$4.20,  and  to  Home  missions  $3.35.  A  gpod  report 
AViis  read  on  temperance,  and  the  Harpersville  College, 
Sylvarena  High  School,  and  ^lississippi  College,  were 
recommended  to  the  Association  for  patronage  and 
support.  In  1885,  there  were  eight  churches  in  the 
body,  but  Doak's  Creek,  the  "bone  of  contention,"  was 
not  represented.  The  Association  was  constituted  in 
1877,  with  nine  churches,  and  an  aggregate  of  365 
members.  After  eight  years  of  existence,  it  was  com- 
posed of  eight  churches,  with  a  total  menibershii)  of 
441.  The  body  lost  the  Friendship,  Landmark  and 
Hays  Creek  churches,  and  gained  the  Leesl)urg  and 
Union  churches. 


lO^^  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

'  CALHOIW   ASSOCIATION. 

In  IS-i-i,  the  Zion  Association  was  composed  of 
forty-four  churches,  wliich  had  a  total  membership  of 
over  3,000.  These  churches  were  in  the  counties  of 
Webster,  Calhoun,  (3ktibbelia,  Pontotoc,  Montgomery-, 
Chickasaw,  Grenada,  and  Yalobusha.  Their  numbers 
were  great,  and  their  territorx'  extended,  and  a  division 
of  the  Association  would  not  have  been  unwise. 

Consequently,  on  the  30th  of  October,  1875,  a  con- 
vention composed  of  representatives  of  Baptist  churches, 
was  held  at  Pittsboro,  Calhoun  county,  to  deliberate 
upon  the  advisal^ilin-  of  organizing  a  new  association. 
Thirteen  churches  had  delegates  at  the  convention, 
ready  to  act  in  the  matter — Friendship,  Hopewell,  Mt. 
Tabor,  Mt.  Comfort,  New  Liberty,  Pittsboro,  Pleasant 
Grove,  Poplar  Springs,  Rock^^  Mount,  Oak  Orove, 
Macedonia,  Shiloh  and  Pleasant  Ridge.  All  these 
churches  were  of  the  Zion  Association.  Spring  Creek 
church  of  the  YalolDusha  Association  was  also  repre- 
sented. 

Nearly  all  of  these  churches  were  in  Calhoun  county, 
which  covered  the  northwestern  half  of  the  territory  of 
the  Zion  Association.  Calhoun  is  in  the  heart  of  the 
yellow  loam  region  of  our  State.  The  country  is  undu- 
lating, but  threaded  by  the  tributaries  of  the  Ycdo- 
busha,  the  Turkey  creeks  and  the  Skooner  river,  and  is 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1045 

exceedino-ly  well  watered.  It  is  inhabited  by  a  thrifty 
po])ulation.  The  farms  are  small,  but  the  people  live 
well,  and  arc  free  from  debt,  having-  some  money  at 
their  command. 

After  the  adoption  of  Articles  of  Faith,  Rules  ot 
Decorum,  etc.,  the  i)ermanent  orjjanization  of  the  body 
Avas  effected  l)y  electing- C.  G.  Blount  moderator,  and 
J.  S.  Ryan,  clerk. 

The  first  annual  session  of  the  body  met  with  the 
Spring  Creek  church  on  Frida\'  before  the  fourth  Sun- 
day in  October,  1S76.  C.  G  Blount  was  re-elected 
moderator,  and  L.  \V.  Harrelson  chosen  clerk.  Their 
•  strength  was  increased  by  the  addition  of  the  following 
churches  from  the  Yalobusha  Assfjciation :  Concord, 
Dividing  Ridge,  Drivers  Flat,  Pilgrim's  Rest  and  Tur- 
kev  Creek :  Alt.  Moriah  church  was  I'ceeived  from  the 
Zion  Association,  and  London  Hill,  of  Lafayette  county. 
The  second  annual  session  of  the  Association  was 
held  with  the  New  Liberty  church  of  Calhoun  county, 
beginning  September  22,  1S77.  E.  A.  Crocker,  ot 
Rocky  Mount  church,  \vas  chosen  modei'ator,  and  L.W. 
Harrelson,  clerk.  The  churches  had  a  total  member- 
ship of  1,147.  Their  ordained  ministers  were,  C.  G. 
Blount,  J.  \V.  Burgess,  E.  A.  Crocker,  Josei)h  Grifhn, 
H.  L.  Johnson,  J.  A.  Killingsworth,  Lee  Linder,  P. 
Landford,  W.  G.  Morehead,  F.  Mize,  James  Martin,  L. 
Prescott,  AL  Parker,  John  Sanders.  J.  W.  Trusty,  and 
John  Wilkins. 

In  1878,  they  met  with  the  Pilgrim's  Rest  church. 
C.  G.  Blount  was  elected  moderator,  and  L.  \V.  Harrel- 
son, clerk.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preached  by 
P.  Landford. 

This  session  of  the  body  was  not  convened  until  the 
24th  of  October.     Yellow  fever  was  prevailing  in  the 


1046  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

State,  and,  from  lack  of  other  orders,  the  Pilorini's  Rest 
church  took  upon  itseU'  the  authority  to  change  the 
opening  of  the  meethig  from  Thursdaj^  before  the  fourth 
Sunday  in  September  to  the  date  mentioned  above. 
The  Association  in  session  b^'  preamlile  and  resolution 
approved  the  action  of  the  Pilgrim's  Rest  church. 

The  Eliam  church  was  received  into  the  fraternit}' 
at  that  meeting.  J.  R.  Sumner,  J.  A.  Alurphree,  and 
R.  H.  Thompson  were  received  as  messengers  from 
the  Yalobusha  Association,  and  H.  L.  Finley  from  the 
Chickasaw. 

After  the  adoption  of  the  report  on  Foreign  mis- 
sions, a  cash  collection  was  taken  for  that  object^ 
amounting  to  $5.80.  H.L.Johnson  read  the  report 
on  Home  missions,  and  pleaded  for  the  giving  of  "the 
good  news  to  the  destitute  in  our  midst."  He  was,  at 
that  time,  showing  himself  to  he  one  of  their  best  men. ' 

A  good  report  was  presented  on  Mississippi  College. 
It  was  suggested  in  it  that  the  Association  should  keep 
at  least  one  young  minister  in  school  at  Clinton  eveiy 
session,  that  he  might  come  back  to  them,  and  settle 
among  them,  and  impart  to  them  some  of  the  benefits 
of  his  collegiate  training. 

From  the  report  on  Publications,  we  get  the  follow- 
ing language:  "Your  committee  earnestly  recommend 
all  of  our  members  to  take  and  read  the  Baptist  Record, 
published  at  Clinton,  and  edited  by  our  much  esteemed 
brother,  J.  B.  Gambrell,  whose  labors  commend  them- 
selves to  every  lover  of  truth."' 

The  session  of  1879  was  held  with  the  Macedonia 
church,  which  is  four  miles  south  of  Pittsboro.  It  was 
held,  beginning  on  the  date  set  for  the  meeting,  the 
25th  of  September.  The  officers  of  the  previous  session 
were  re-elected.     Sarepta  church  was  received  into  the 


HISTORY    OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1047 

Association.  W.  K.  Bryant  was  I'eceived  as  ^i  corres- 
pondent from  the  Oxford  Association,  J.  W.  Howard 
from  the  Zion,  R.  \V.  Thompson  from  tlie  Al)erdeen, 
and  H.L.  Finley,  J.  T.  Pitts,  W.  L.  Souter,  J.  E.  Blount 
from  the  Chickasaw. 

A  good  report  was  read  on  Home  missions.  It 
spoke  of  the  destitution  in  some  parts  of  the  State,  and 
of  the  work  done  b\'  H.  L.  Finley-  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  State,  and  by  J.  B.  Hamberlin  on  the  coast.  This 
resolution  was  adopted  with  the  report : 

^'Resolved,  That  a  most  earnest  effort  in  behalf  of 
Home  (State)  missions  is  the  imperative  duty  devolving 
upon  us,  the  discharge  of  which  is  necessary  to  our 
prosperity  and  growth  in  grace."' 

Preambles  and  resolution  were  attached  to  their 
report  on  Ministerial  Education,  as  follows: 

"Whereas,  our  ministers  are  almost  entirelv  desti- 
tute of  books  and  periodicals,  and, 

Where.\s,  they  are  not  able  to  supply  themselves 
and  support  their  families ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  we  will  take  up  a  collection  in  our 
churches  to  supjily  these  brethren  with  books  and  sui> 
plies,  and  that  we  will  loan  and  give  them  books."' 

After  the  adoption  of  the  report  on  Foreign  mis- 
sions, a  collection  was  taken  for  missions,  amounting 
to  $7.30.  The  finance  committee  reported  $4-2.20  as 
raised  l)y  H.  L.  Finley  for  Domestic  missions. 

Their  fifth  annual  session  was  held  with  the  Drivers 
Flat  church,  six  miles  nortli  of  Banner,  commencing 
September  25,  1880.  K.  F.  Stokes  was  made  modera- 
tor, and  L.  W.  Harrelson,  clerk.  Antioch  and  Pine 
Grove  churches  were  received  in  the  l)ody.  Prof  M.  T. 
Miirtin,  the  ul)i(|uitous,  was  with  them,  rei)resenting 
the  Baptist  Record.  He  secured  a  number  of  sub- 
scribers for  his  jjajicr. 


1048  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

J.  L.  Johnson,  of  Oxford,  president  of  the  State  Mis- 
sion Board,  was  with  them  and  decidedly  in  evidence. 
The  report  on  Home  (State)  missions  was  discussed  by 
J.  S.  Ryan,  H.  L.  Johnson,  and  In' J.  L.  Johnson.  The 
clerkof  the  Association  sa^'s  that  the  last  speaker  made 
"an  able  and  stirring  speech,"  and  his  statement  is  not 
to  be  questioned.  The  speaker  is  highly  gifted,  the 
cause  was  a  pressing  and  engaging  one,  and  the  collec- 
tion good.  The  sum  of  $292.85  was  received  in  cash 
and  pledges. 

In  1880,  there  were  twentA'-seven  churches  in  the 
fraternity,  with  a  total  membership  of  1,557.  They 
had  that  year  136  accessions  to  their  churches  133^  bap- 
tism, and  109  by  letter.  The^^  had  in  their  churches 
tvv'ent^'-three  ordained  ministers  and  nine  licentiates. 

The  sixth  annual  session  was  held  with  the  Poplar 
Springs  church,  which  is  twelve  miles  northeast  of 
Pittsboro.  H.  L.  Johnson  was  chosen  moderator,  the 
clerk  was  re-elected. 

The  Executive  Board  reported  that  H.  L.  Johnson 
had  been  employed  as  missionary'  in  their  bounds  on  a 
joint  commission  with  the  State  Mission  Board.  He 
served  five  months,  traveled  295  miles,  and  preached 
26  sermons.  There  were  thirty  persons  baptized  at 
meetings  which  he  held.  "  Tr^^  pledges ' '  were  given 
that  vear  for  State  missions,  amounting  to  $111,80. 

Only  three  Sunday  schools  were  reported  in  the 
letters  to  the  Association.  A  resolution  was  passed 
requesting  the  pastors  to  urge  the  churches  to  organize 
Sunday  schools.  The\'  had  the  same  problem  to  solve 
that  was  distressing  other  associations  composed 
largely  of  country  churches.  It  was  a  problem  the 
-equations  to  which  none  of  them  had  found. 

At  the  session  of  1880,  a  resolution  was  adopted 


HISTORY     OK     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1049 

referrinij;-  to  the  tr!)ul)le  in  the  I'inc  Fhit  church.  A 
minister,  whose  name  we  tbrl)ear  to  mention,  had  sun- 
dry charges  against  him,  seriously  derogatory  to  his 
Christian  character.  A  wise  and  judicious  committee 
was  raised  to  be  present  at  his  trial  before  the  church, 
and  to  report  at  the  next  session  of  the  Association  the 
result  of  the  trial.  The  committee  reported  unf^vora- 
bl}'  as  to  the  accused.  By  ]jreamblc  and  resolution,  as 
the  Pine  Flat  church  had  utterly  failed  of  its  duty  in 
the  case,  it  ^\-as  excluded  from  the  fellowship  of  the 
Association. 

Spring  Creek  church  entertained  the  Association  of 
1882.  This  cnurch  is  two  miles  west  qf  Banner.  The 
Executive  Board  of  that  year  consisted  of  G.  W.  Alurff, 
R.  II.  Cruthirds,  II.  L.  Johnson,  J.  A.  Hollingsworth, 
and  L.  W.  Harrelson.  The  Hebron  church«was  received 
into  their  fellowship. 

Pending  the  adoption  of  the  report  on  Foreign  mis- 
sions, a  collection  was  taken  of  $16.60.  After  the  dis- 
cussion of  the  report  on  Mississippi  College  $3.90  in 
cash  was  collected.  J.  R.  Sumner  pledged  $5.00  for 
this  cause,  and  J.  M.  Tate  $1.00. 

H.  L.  Johnson,  the  efficient  minister  and  colporteur 
of  the  Association,  re])orted  922  miles  traveled,  102 
sermons  preached,  six  i)ersons  baptized,  and  68  Testa- 
ments and  22  Bibles  sold,  and  1,800  pages  of  tracts 
^iven  away.    He  had  sold  books  to  the  value  of  $19.20. 

The  pastors  in  the  Association,  in  1883,  were  Jo- 
seph Griffin,  G.  C.  Goodwin,  B.  French.  G.  W.  Riley, 
C.  G.  Blount,  J.  R.  Sumner,  E.  McGregor,  \V.  G.  More- 
house, R.  F.  Stokes,  J.  G.  Bratton,  and  E.  W.  Priddy. 
The  Mt.  Arrarat  and  Sarepta  churches  were  received 
into  the  frjiternitv,  and  the  right  hand  of  fellowship 
extended  to  their  delegates. 


1050  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  necessity  for  the  work  our  Convention  Board 
is  now  doing  in  sustentation  was,  at  that  date,  felt  by 
them.  In  fact,  one  of  their  ministers  is  now  on  our  list 
of  beneficiaries  of  this  fund.  They  adopted  this  resolu- 
tion : 

''Resolved,  That  the  pastors  of  the  churches  of  this 
Association  be  requested  to  appoint  a  suitable  person 
in  their  churches  to  try  to  collect  25  cents  from  each 
church  member  for  the  supjDort  of  James  Martin  and 
Sister  Minta  Crocker,  wadow  of  ^.  A.  Crocker,  and  for- 
^vard  the  same  to  the  clerk  of  this  Association,  as  soon 
as  collected,  for  distribution. 

Their  report  on  Finance  showed  as  collected  for 
Sister  Crocker  $24.90,  for  Minutes  $40.25,  for  Home 
missions  $6.25,  and  for  Foreign  missions  $12.90. 

The  ninth  annual  session  of  the  iDody  met  with  the 
Pilgrim's  Rest  church,  in  Yalobusha  county,  four  miles 
north  of  Air  Mount,  September  25,  1884.  The  Execu- 
tive Board  consisted  of  L.  W.  Priddj^  J.  A.  Killings- 
worth,  W.  G.  Morehead,  H.  L.Johnson,  and  L.W.  Har- 
relson.  The  Mt.  IMeasant  church  was  received  into  the 
Association. 

A  request  came  to  the  Association  from  Pleasant 
Grove  church  to  set  apart  to  the  full  work  of  the  minis- 
ter, Daniel  Tabb,  a  member  of  that  church.  The  re- 
quest was  referred  to  a  special  committee,  whose  duty 
it  was  to  report  to  the  Association  what  course  to 
pursue  in  the  matter.  The  committee  very  wiseh'  re- 
commended "that  the  matter  be  referred  back  to  the 
church  from  whence  it  came,  as  we  disclaim  any  au- 
thority to  act  in  such  matters.''  It  is  not  an  easy  work 
to  catch  a  Baptist  association  off  its  guard  in  matters 
of  doctrine  and  church  authority. 

Their  report   on   Education  gives  us  a  glimpse  of 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  lOol 

their  school  interests,  aiul  their  views  of  Ministerial 
Education.  It  is  stated  that  there  was  then,  "  a  fine 
school  at  Banner,  and  one  at  Sarepta,  and  one  at  Pitts- 
boro,  which  they  purpose  having  chartei'ed  as  a  col- 
lege." The  report  says:  "If  we  have  3-oung  men 
among  us  who  feel  it  their  duty  to  preach  the  gospel, 
and  are  not  able  to  educate  themselves,  it  is  our  duty 
to  help  them  with  our  means  to  accomplish  this  noble 
end." 

As  publications,  (luite  a  number  of  periodicals  were 
recommended.  Kind  Words,  the  Baptist  Record,  the 
Tennessee  Baptist,  The  Argus,  and  the  Christian  Re- 
pository. 

The  Executive  Board  had  T.  H.  Smith  employed  as 
missionar3'  and  colporteur.  He  collected  $50.65  for 
Associational  missions,  and  $3.00  for  Foreign  missions. 
He  sold  25  Bil)les,  75  Testaments,  and  32,219  pages  of 
Baptist  literature.  G.  W.  Riley  was  also  in  the  field. 
He  gave  the  Board  51  days,  traveled  4-35  miles,  organ- 
ized one  church,  baptized  five,  collected  $5.40  for  mis- 
sions, distributed  4,000  pages  of  tracts,  etc.  Thev  had 
two  of  their  best  men  in  the  field,  and  their  labors  were 
blessed  with  fruitful  results. 

They  had,  that  \'ear,to  mourn  the  loss  of  two  good 
and  useful  men,  J.  S.  Ryan  and  P.  R.  Thornton.  They 
had  been  familiar  figures  at  their  annual  gatherings. 
J.  S.  Ryan  was  one  of  the  promoters  of  the  scheme  to 
organize  the  Calhoun  Association,  and  had  not  missed 
an  annual  meeting  to  the  year  of  his  death.  He  was  a 
good  writer,  and  had  aided  in  the  writing  of  some  of 
the  best  reports  that  had  been  placed  before  the  body. 

For  years  the  Association  liad  been  electing  H.  L. 
Johnson  moderator,  and  L.  W.  Harrelson,  clerk.  They 
were  elected  again   in   lSiS5.     Five  churches   were   re- 


1052  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

ceived    into    their    fellowship    that    3'ear — Providence, 
Meridian,  Antioch,  New  Prospect,  and  Damascus. 

The  following  important  resolutions  were  adopted 
that  year: 

"Resolved,  That  this  Association  approve  the  ac- 
tion of  the  Baptist  State  Convention  in  consolidating 
the  benevolent  agencies  of  the  denomination  under  the 
management  of  one  Board,  known  as  the  Convention 
Boiird. 

"Resolved,  That  we  pledge  our  hearty  support  to 
said  Board,  and  that  we  consider  the  amounts  asked 
from  us  none  too  much  for  us  to  give  for  the  spread  of 
the  gospel  at  home  and  abroad." 

The  bod\^  was  again  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss 
of  one  of  its  worthy  members,  James  Martin,  one  of 
the  pioneer  preachers  of  the-  State,  had  been  called  to 
his  reward.  He  lived  to  a  good  old  age,  and  was  uni- 
versally respected. 

There  were  then  eighteen  churches  in  the  fraternity 
with  a  total  membership  of  2,094.  The  churches  had 
received  16v3  by  baptism,  and  135  b\'  letter. 

The  sessions  of  1886  and  1887  had  few  incidents 
beyond  the  usual  order  of  business  of  the  body.  In 
1887,  T.  H.  Smith  was  made  moderator  in  the  place  of 
H.  L.  Johnson,  who,  133^  the  way,  was  absent.  That 
year  the  Hopewell  and  Macedonia  churches  were  re- 
ceived in  the  fellowship  of  the  Association.  And  the 
following  resolution  was  adopted  : 

"Resolved,  That  we,  as  an  association,  turn  over 
our  missionary  and  colportage  work  into  the  hands  of 
the  Convention  Board,  asking  them  to  co-operate  with 
our  Executive  Board  in  the  employment  of  a  mission- 
ary and  colporteur  to  labor  in  our  bounds  during  the 
incoming  year."' 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS  1058 

The  session  of  1888  was  held  with  the  Turkey 
Creek,  Calhoun  eounty.  The  Assoeiation  then  had 
ehurehes  in  the  eounties  of  Calhoun,  Lafayette,  Yalo- 
busha, Pontotoc  and  Chickasaw.  The  Association  in 
1888,  saw  fit  for  the  first  time  to  electa  treasurer.  A.  A. 
Bruner,  one  of  their  l)est  men,  now  livin<j;  in  four  miles 
of  Coffeevillc,  was  elected  to  fill  the  i)()sition.  If  the 
writer  needed  a  pocket-book,  it  is  supposable  that  he 
would  bu\'  one.  He  has  not  had  one  for  years,  but  if 
the  occasion  should  demand,  he  would  doubtless  follow 
the  worthy  example  of  the  Calhoun  Association,  and 
make  due  arrangements  for  taking  care  of  his  money, 
A.  A.  Bruner  was  also  chairman  of  the  Executive  Board. 
The  highly  tippreciated  visitors  at  that  meeting  of 
the  bodA'  were:  L.  Ball,  J.  C.  Brandon,  JohnW.  Powell, 
H.  C.  Finle\'  and  li.  L.  Johnson,  then  of  the  Oxford  As- 
sociation.    These  were  duly  received. 

Some  member  of  the  Association  had  lost  his  poise 
on  account  of  an  invidious  rumor  that  was  afioat. 
This  was  the  distressing  cause  :  •"  A  prominent  minister 
of  another  denomination  did,  on  a  certain  Sabbath  day, 
recently  state  puhlicly  that  he  hoped  his  congregation 
had  not  fallen  as  low  as  the  Baptists,  stating  that  the 
Avidow  of  a  prominent  Baptist  minister  was  in  the 
poorhouse  in  Calhoun  county.''  The  minister  of  an- 
other denomination  thought  he  had  found  some  car- 
rion, and  it  seemed  to  suit  his  nose.  The  Association 
appointed  a  committee  to  investigate  the  matter^ 
which  did  not  re])ort.  It  is  not  necessary  that  we 
chase  every  "will-o'-the-wisp,"'  or  spend  our  time  try- 
ing to  condense  the  substance  of  every  vaporing. 

It  was  agreed  that  a  Sunday-school  Convention 
be  formed  in  their  bounds,  which  was  an  exceedingly 
wise  resolution.    J.  .\.  Killingsworth  was  recommended 


1054  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

for  president,  L.  W.  Prickly  for  viee-president  and  J.  L. 
Lyon  for  seeretary.  The  convention  was  to  meet  with 
the  Alt.  Comfort  church  on  Saturday-  before  the  fifth 
Sunday  in  1889.  It  was  also  recommended  that  pas- 
tors and  churches  use  their  best  efforts  to  orijanize  a 
Sunday  school  in  each  of  their  churches  before  that 
time. 

The  following  3'ear  a  growing  interest  in  Sunday 
school  work  was  observable.  It  was  a  matter  of  re- 
joicing that  several  of  their  Sunday  schools  was  in  a 
pros])erous  condition.  The  Sunday-school  Convention 
of  that  year  was  to  meet  with  the  Macedonia  church, 
and  it  was  recommended  that  every  church  organize  a 
Sunday  school,  and  send  delegates  to  the  convention. 
The  Sunday-school  Convention  of  1890  met  at  the 
Spring  Creek  church. 

The  Executive  Board  of  1888,  had  H.  L.  Finle^^  em- 
ploj-ed  as  missionary  and  colporteur.  He  was  to  give 
the  Association  half  his  time,  and  to  receive  $300.00  as 
salary,  the  Convention  Board  agreeing  to  pay  one-half 
of  the  amount.  He  gave  14-6  da3'S  service,  traveled 
1,760  miles,  sold  19  Bibles  and  40  Testaments,  and 
distributed  10.000  pages  of  tracts.  The  value  of  his 
sales  was  $231.10.  The  following  year,  the  Conven- 
tion Board  agreed  to  give  them  $300.00  for  their  work 
provided  that  they  raise  $300.00,  but  seeing  that  they 
could  not  raise  their  part  of  the  $600.00,  nothing  was 
done  that  year.  In  1890,  J.  A.  Killings  worth  was  em- 
ployed at  a  salary  of  $400.00  The  American  Baptist 
Publication  Society  donated  to  them  $100.00  worth  of 
books,  which  left  them  $300.00  to  raise.  Killingsworth 
gave  261  days  of  service,  traveled  1,796  miles,  sold  61 
Bibles  and  69  Testaments,  and  distributed  17,000  pages 
of  tracts.  Eternity  and  God  alone  can  tell  the  good  he 
did.  •  He  realized  $337.05  on  his  sales  of  literature. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1055 

In  1888,  T.  H.  Smith  was  tlicir  moderator,  G.  W. 
Riley  in  1889  and  1890.  L.  W.  Harrelson  was  still 
*  clerk  in  these  years,  and  A.  A.  Bruner,  treasurer.  In 
1890,  there  were  thirty-three  churches  in  the  fraternity 
w^ith  a  good  total  of  2,272  members.  Their  ordained 
ministers  were:  J.  G.  Bratton,  Joseph  Griffin,  J.  A.  Kil- 
lingsworth,  Lee  Linder,  C.  E.  Murjihree,  L.  W.  Priddy, 
W.  G.  Morehead,  G.  W.  Riley,  T.  H.Smith,  J. W. Trusty, 
S.  E.  Wallace,  W.  M.  Wilson,  and  Samuel  Wilkins. 

It  is  gratifying  to  the  student  of  the  History  of 
Mississippi  Baptists  that  all  of  our  associations  con- 
nected with  our  convention  and  the  General  Associa- 
tion have  recorded  themselves  opposed  to  the  manufac- 
ture, sale,  and  use  as  a  beverage  of  intoxicating  drinks. 
The  Calhoun  Association  was  no  exception  to  the  rule. 
Year  hy  year,  reports  in  some  form,  were  placed  before 
the  Association  against  intemperance  so  called.  We 
will  give  some  quotations  from  their  reports  made  in 
the  decade  between  1890  and  1900. 

In  1891,  it  Avas  said:  "We  would  recommend  the 
churches  to  take  the  social  dram-drinking  into  consid- 
eration, and  ])ut  it  down  as  soon  as  possible."'  Let 
our  churches  enforce  a  vigorous  discipline  against  mem- 
bers, who  patronize  or  abet  the  li({Uor  traffic  in  any 
way.''  (Report  of  1893).  In  1896,  the  report  was  on 
Prohil)itiori  and  said :  Shall  we  not  protect  our  chil- 
dren and  bring  them  up  in  wisdom's  paths,  and  in  the 
fear  of  the  Lord.*"  "  We  are  thoroughly  convinced  that 
the  most  successful  way  to  suppress  the  liquor  traffic  is 
b}'  constitutional  prohibition."     (Report  of  1897). 

After  the  Bible,  the  Calhoun  Association  recom- 
mended to  reading  Bajjtists,  the  Baptist  Record,  Kind 
Words,  the  Foreign  Mission  Journal,  and  Our  Home 
Field.    In  1892,    The  Layman  was  given  a  place  with 


1056  HISTORY     OF     MISvSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

these  publications,  which  it  .usually  held  until  the  con- 
solidation of  our  paper  interests.  In  1897,  The  Orph- 
an's Gem  was  awarded  a  place  in  the  list  of  pulDlica- 
tions  recommended,  which  it  held  to  the  close  of  this 
period. 

The  Orphanage  received  due  consideration  earh' 
after  the  opening  of  its  doors  to  the  little  homeless  ones, 
and  was  constanth'  remembered  in  their  prayers  and 
alms-giving.  In  1900,  $52.00  was  sent  to  the  meeting 
of  the  Association  for  this  worthy-  cause. 

Woman's  Work  was  generalh^  reported  upon  in 
this  decade,  but  no  great  interest  was  shown  in  the 
work.  N^  societies  reported  to  the  Association.  In 
the  report  on  the  subject  in  1896,  it  is  said :  "  We  see 
from  the  repoi  ts  from  the  churches  of  the  Association 
that  we  have  not  any  Ladies'  Mission  Societies."  In 
1899,  this  resolution  was  adopted  : 

''Resolved,  That  the  Association  recommend  that 
the  churches  organize  Woman's  Missionar^^  Societies  in 
each  church  as  an  auxiliary  to  the  mission  work  of  this 
Association." 

The  Calhoun  Association  was  ever  true  to  our  Bap- 
tist school  of  learning,  Mississippi  College.  Reports  on 
its  working  were  every  3'ear  in  the  decade  we  are  con- 
sidering. These  reports  were  well  written,  and  full  of 
useful  information,  as  to  the  workings  and  worth  of 
the  college.  In  1891,  they  showed  a  due  appreciation 
of  Ministers'  Institutes  in  the  following  preambles  and 
resolution : 

"  Whereas,  There  is  being  agitated  among  Bap- 
tists over  the  State,  the  ([uestion  of  establishing  a 
school  or  S3'Stem  of  lectures  of  one  month's  duration, 
at  some  convenient  point  in  the  State,  for  the  purpose 
of  educating  ministers,   Sunday-school  workers,   and 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS,  l()v57 

others  interested  in  the  aflvaneenient'of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom,  and 

Whekkas,  In  tlie  (^pinion  of  this  Assoeiation,  such 
a  school  or  system  of  lectures,  properly  conducted, 
Avould  result  in  much  good,  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  we  endorse  the  movement  provided 
it  does  not,  in  uny  way,  effect  our  school  at  Clinton. "'^ 

Good  reports  were  read  annualh'  on  Foreign  mis- 
sions. Home  missions  and  State  missions.  They  were 
placed  before  the  Association  to  be  read  by  the  mem- 
bers of  the  churches  after  the  Minutes  were  printed  and 
distributed,  as  inforniiition  on  these  subjects.  We  must 
go  to  the  reports  of  the  Executive  Board,  and  to  the 
treasurer  to  find  what  they  really  did  in  and  for 
missions. 

In  1891,  the  Executive  Board  had  J.  A.  Killings- 
worth  employed  as  missionary  and  colporteur.  He 
was  to  supply  two  destitute  churches,  Mt.  Tabor  and 
Poplar  Springs,  The  churches  gave  that  year  to  State 
missions  $893.90,  and  to  Foreign  missions  $324.1,"). 

In  1893,  the  associational  mission  work  was  dis- 
continued. They  gave  that  year  to  State  missions 
$60.70,  and  to  Foreign  missions  $40.10.  In  1S97. 
they  contributed  to  Foreign  missions  $166.95,  and  to 
State  missions  $39.10.  In  1900,  the\'  gave  to  Foreign 
missions  $159.96,  and  to  Orphanage  $52.00. 

In  1792,  there  were  thirty-one  churches  in  the  fed- 
eration, which  had  a  total  meml)ership  of  2,215;  in 
1895,  they  still  had  thirty-one  churches  which  had 
2,322;  and  in  1900,  they  had  an  enrollment  of  thirty- 
six  churches,  which  had  a  grand  aggregjite  of  2,380 
mem])ers.  This  statement  of  facts  shows  that  in  ten 
years  they  had  a  gain  of  five  churches  and  1  Go  members. 

As  near  as  it  can  be  estimated,  the  Calhoun   Asso- 


1058  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

ciation  licus  given  to  missions  in  the  years  of  its  cxist- 
cnec,  $2,921.51 ;  the  ehurches  received  Ijy  baptism 
3,34-2,  by  letter  2,224,  and  restored  509.  They  have 
excluded  1,04-5,  dismissed  by  letter  3,745,  and  lost  by 
death  576.  These  figures  have  been  received  from  A.  A. 
Bruner,  who  is  one  of  the  best  informed  men  of  the  Cal- 
houn Association,  and  is  much  interested  in  its  history. 

The  moderators  of  the  Association  in  this  decade 
Avei'c  :  G.  W.  Riley  from  1891  to  1895,  inclusive;  Lee 
Linder  from  1896  to  1898,  inclusive;  G.W.Riley  in 
1899  and  1990.  Their  clerks  were  L.  W.  Harrelson 
from  1891  to  1892,  inclusive;  L.  M.  Howell  from  1896 
to  1898,  inclusive;  J.  A.  Killingsvvorth  in  1899  and 
1900.  Their  treasurers  were:  A.  A.  Bruner  from  1891 
to  1893,  inclusive;  J.  A.  Powell  in  1894,  A.  A.  Bruner 
from  1895  to  1900. 

The  Calhoun  has  had  a  pleasant,  peaceful,  and 
profitalile  existence.  It  is  a  delightful  historical  study. 
It  has  had  in  it  some  men  remarkable  ]n'  nature  and 
li^race,  men  of  sterling  worth  and  good  biblical  knowl- 
edge. Their  churches  are  at  present  in  good  working- 
order,  and  promise  well  for  the  future.  May  the  great 
Captain  of  our  salvation  ever  be  their  leader. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1059 


CHAPTER   XXXVI. 

CHICKASAHAY    ASSOCIATION. 

Pursuant  to  previous  arrangement,  delegates  from 
several  churches  met  in  convention  at  Shubuta,  Decem- 
ber 2,  1876,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing-  a  new  asso- 
ciation. The  churches  represented  in  the  convention 
were  all  along  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railway.  Why 
the}'  agreed  to  leave  the  associations  to  which  they 
belonged  is  not  stated  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Convention. 
But  the  principal  reason  for  the  organiziition  of  a  new 
association,  the  writer  has  heard,  was  for  convenience, 
and  to  secure  a  good  re])resentation  ot  the  churches  at 
the  associational  gatherings.  People  who  live  in  towns 
seldom  keep  the  necessar}-  conveyances  for  meeting  the 
country  appointments  of  an  association. 

The  new  association  was  called  the  Chickasahay. 
Several  names  were  i)ro])ose(l,  Ijut  this  one  gained  the 
greatest  favor.  The  churches  ct)mposing  the  l)o(ly  were 
adjacent  to  the  Chickasahay  River,  and,  it  is  possiljle, 
Baptists  will  give  their  associations  the  name  of  some 
river  or  creek,  as  they  reasonalily  think  of  water  when 
they  think  of  cliurch  connections,  or  associational 
aililiations. 

The  Chickasaliay  had  at  its  constitution,  and,  in 
fact,  has  had  all  the  while  some  men  of  sterling  worth. 
In  the  proceedings  of  the  first  session  we  find  such 
names    as    Bozeman,   Hardy,   Hall,   Gordon,    I'atton, 


1060  HISTORY     OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Bowen  cind  Duncan.  J.  W.  Bozeman  was  an  Alabam- 
ian,  educated  at  the  University  of  Virginia :  W.  H, 
Hardy  was  a  man  of  liberal  education:  AI.  C.  Gordon 
\vas  a  teacher  well  qualified  for  his  work;  W.  H.  Pat- 
ton  \vas  a  thinker,  and  ardentU'  opposed  to  the  use  of 
any  drink  that  would  confute  the  brain ;  O.  D.  Bowen, 
a  man  of  broad  philanthropy-,  and  R.  A.  Duncan,  strong 
at  many  points. 

The  Chickasahay  early  aligned  itself  with  the  Bap- 
tist State  Convention.  T.  J.  Walne  was  at  the  second 
session  of  the  institution,  of  course  by  invitation.  He 
-was  at  that  time  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  old 
State  Mission  Board,  and  was  going  nowhere  without 
a  purpose.  This  affiliation  isolated  the  Chickasaha\', 
as  the  associations  in  that  part  of  the  State  belonged 
to  the  General  Association  of  Southeast  Mississippi.. 
But,  by  railways,  it  was  an  easy  matter  for  their  mes- 
sengers to  reach  the  meetings  ot  the  conventions. 

The  work  of  the  Chickasahay  was  a  gradual  de- 
velopment. There  was  the  appearance  of  inefficiency 
in  the  infancy  of  the  body,  but  it  soon  aplied 
itself  to  earnest  work.  The  Northeastern  Railroad 
opened  up  a  country  contiguous  to  their  original  ter- 
ritory, along  which  railroad,  new  towns  were  louilt 
by  inen  in  sympathy  with  the  progressiveness  of  the 
Chickasahay.  Consequently,  churches  that  were  or- 
ganized along  this  new  arter\'  of  commerce  attached 
themselves  to  the  Chickasahay  Association,  as  far 
down  as  Hattiesburg. 

There  were  nine  churches  that  went  into  the  consti- 
tvition  of  this  union — Meridian,  Enterprise,  Quitman, 
Shubuta,  Buckatunna,  State  Line,  Lauderdale,  DeSoto, 
and  Waynesboro  (or  Salem).  The  Lauderdale  church 
"was  loosely  related  to  the  connection.     It  was  not  rep- 


HISTORY     OF     »5_SSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1061 

resented  b\'  a  delegate  in  the  orsj^anization,  nor  in  the 
second  annual  session,  and  its  name  is  not  in  the  enroll- 
ment of  1879. 

William  D.  Northrup,  of  the  Quitman  church,  acted 
as  moderator  of  the  constituting;  convention,  and  F'rank 
C.  McGee,  secretary.  They  filled  these  positions  re- 
spectively in  the  permanent  organization,  and  AI.  E. 
Norriswas  chosen  treasurer. 

The  reports  of  committees  were  necessarily  short 
at  their  first  meeting,  as  the  committees  had  only  a 
short  time  to  consider  the  subject  matter  that  \vas  em- 
braced in  the  reports.  Every  church  that  did  not  have 
a  Sunday  school  was  urged  to  organize  one  at  once. 
The  Meridian  Female  College,  a  school  for  girls,  and 
Mississippi  College,  were  recommended  as  worthy  of 
patronage.  The  Baptist  of  Memphis,  received  favor- 
able consideration,  and  The  Southern  Baptist  of  Mer- 
idian, was  especially  recommended.  The  session  was 
harmonious  and  indeed,  gratifying  to  those  who  were 
most  interested  in  the  new  organization. 

Their  second  annual  session  was  held  with  the 
church  at  Enterprise,  November,  1877.  ().  D.  Bowen 
was  elected  moderator,  and  Fank  C.  McGee,  clerk. 

W.  H.  Hard3'  presented  a  well  written  report  on 
Foreign  missions.  In  the  concluding  pai'agraph  it  was 
recommended  that  missionary  societies  be  formed  in  all 
their  chilrches,  and  the  practice  of  making  weeklv  oifer- 
ing  to  the  Lord  be  encouraged.  R.  X.  Hall  wished  a 
resolution  added  to  the  report  to  the  effect  that  they 
endeavor  to  raise  $100.00  for  Foreign  missions  during 
the  associational  year.  He  presented  a  like  resolution 
after  the  reading  of  the  report  on  Ministerial  Educa- 
tion. 

The  Association  took  a  decided  stand  at  once  as  to 


1062  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

its  affiliation  with  the  State  Convention.  It  received  a 
carefully  written  report  on  State  missions.  The  report 
gave  an  itemized  statement  of  the  w'ork  of  the  State 
Mission  Board.  The  work  of  the  Board  was  heartily 
endorsed,  and  its  corresponding  secretary  cordialh'  in- 
vited to  visit  their  churches,  and  present  the  claims  of 
State  missions. 

The  report  on  Pul)lications  contained  a  commenda- 
tion of  the  Baptist  Record,  of  Clinton,  and  the  South- 
ern Baptist,  of  Meridian.  The  Baptist  Record  began 
publication  early  in  that  year,  and  was  the  medium  of 
communication  of  the  ardent  supporters  of  the  Baptist 
State  Convention,  and  was  conducted  by  J.  B.  Gam- 
bred  and  M.  T.  Martin. 

The  committee  on  associational  missions  presented 
h  ree  resolutions  looking  to  a  line  of  evangelization  in 
their  territory.  A  committee  of  five  was  to  be  ap- 
pointed to  receive  mone^^  collected  for  associational 
missions,  and  to  employ-  a  missionary  to  labor  in  the 
bounds  of  the  Association.  All  the  churches  were  re- 
quested to  take  collections  for  this  object,  and  co-oper- 
ation with  the  Mission  Committee  of  the  Bethlehem 
Association  was  recommended. 

The  moderator  appointed  W.  H.  Patton  to  raise 
$100.00  for  Ministerial  Education,  and  Frank  C.  Mc- 
Gee  to  raise  $100.00  for  F'oreign  missions.  The  mem- 
bers of  this  association  at  this  day  would  feel  amused 
if  the\'  were  called  on  to  raise  such  small  amounts  for 
these  objects,  but  it  reciuired  an  effort  to  accomphsh 
work  at  that  time.  The  treasurer's  report  shows 
$77.10  received  for  State  missions,  $10.35  for  Indian 
missions,  and  $24.75  for  Foreign  missions. 

The  Association  of  1878,  convened  at  State  Line  in 
October.      M.  C.  Gordon   was  to  preach  the  associa- 


IIISTUKV     OP     MISSISSirPI     IJAPTISTS.  1063 

tional  sermon,  and  Luther  Xorris,  the  missionary  .ser- 
mon. It  is  to  be  remembered  that  ISJSwasthe  year 
that  the  yellow  fever  ra.u:ed  in  our  State.  The  ])opida- 
tion  of  some  of  our  towns  was  deeimated,  the  wheels 
of  progress  stopped  in  their  revolutions,  and  religious 
work  generally  suspended  in  the  fall  and  early  winter. 
The  assoeiational  meeting  that  was  held  was  destitute 
of  life  and  poorly  attended.  The  yellow  fever  raged  at 
Lake,  just  west  of  the  territory  of  the  Chiekasahay  As- 
sociation. 

The  annual  session  of  1879  was  held  with  the 
church  at  Shubuta.  There  were  thirteen  churches  in 
the  union,  but  the  Bethlelem  and  the  Concord  were  not 
represented.  W.  D.  Xorthrup  was  chosen  moderator, 
and  Frank  C.  McGee,  clerk.  W.  B.  Crumpton,  then 
pastor  of  the  church  in  Meridian,  was  a  member  of  the 
body. 

Through  reason  ot  the  consternation  caused  by  the 
yellow  fever  in  1878,  W.  H.  Patton  did  not  make  a  re- 
port of  what  he  collected  for  Ministerial  Education 
until  the  following  year,  when  he  rendered  an  itemized 
statement  of  two  years.  In  187S,  he  collected  $45. 50, 
and  in  1879,  he  raised  $74-.55,  which  showed  gratifving 
progress  in  his  work.  A  foot-note  to  his  report  is  put 
in  this  language :  "  Would  state  that  all  the  monev  col- 
lected during  the  kist  assoeiational  year  was  expended 
on  G.W.  Knight,  a  young  brother  from  Wayne  countv."' 
He  has  been  heard  from  since  that  time,  and  now  needs 
no  introduction  to  Mississippi  Baptists.  The  writer 
has  but  to  regret  that  he  had  not  the  op]K)rtunitv  of 
putting  money  in  his  development. 

In  1880,  the  Chiekasahay  convened  with  the  church 
in  Meridian.  J.  W.  Bozeman  was  elected  moderator, 
and  Frank  C.  MeGee,  clerk.  The  reijresentation  of  the 
churches  was  small,  Meridian  church  excepted. 


10G4  HISTORY    OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

During  the  associational  vear  of  1879-80,  O.  D, 
Bowen  was  missionary  in  their  bounds.  He  was  under 
the  appointment  of  the  State  Mission  Board  to  labor 
in  that  part  of  the  State.  He  gave  the  Board  134  days 
of  actual  .service,  traveled  1,503  miles,  preached  136 
sermons,  baptized  19  pei'sons,  constituted  one  church, 
organized  two  Sunday  schools,  and  collected  $22.4-0 
for  Foreign  missions,  and  $270.40  for  State  missions. 
W.  H.  Hardy  expressed  the  deep  regret  in  his  report  on 
State  missions  that  O.  D.  Bowen  was  to  be  transferred 
to  the  Gulf  Coast  Mission. 

In  the  report  on  Ministerial  Education  the  commit- 
tee recommended  Mississipjji  College  for  bo^'S,  and 
Meridian  Female  College  for  girls.  We  cannot  forbear 
making  the  following  quotation  from  the  report:  "  We 
also  l)elieve  that  our  people  should  give  greater  atten- 
tion to  Ministerial  Education.  A  minister  is  better  able 
to  teach  his  people  after  receiving  the  advantages  af- 
forded, b}^  a  literar\'  and  theological  education.  The 
people  are  rising  in  intelligence,  and  the  ministry  must 
be  educated,  or  others  will  come  in,  and  possess  the 
land.''  George  W.  Knight  w^as  still  at  Mississippi  Col- 
lege, and  was  making  a  fine  record. 

In  1880,  ten  churches  were  represented  in  the  union, 
(three  churches  not  represented)  reporting  a  total  mem- 
bership of  634.  They  had,  in  the  associational  j-ear 
contributed  to  State  missions  $374.93,  to  Home  and 
Foreign  missions  $142.83,  and  to  Ministerial  Educa- 
tion $48.50.  Meridian  church  had  contributed  to  local 
expenses  a  total  of  $2,000. 

Their  anniversary  of  1881  was  held  with  the  church 
at  Quitman.  W.  D.  Northrup  presided  over  the  body. 
Their  vStatistical  table  shows  only  eight  churches  en- 
rolled, with  a  total  membership  of  581.     The  churches 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1065 

had,  during  that  associational  year,  contn1)uted  for 
various  rehgious  purposes  an  average  of  $8.36  a  mem- 
ber. The  ^Meridian  chureh  gave  to  State  missions 
$178.81/2,  tlie  Shul)uta  $135.10,  and  the  State  Line 
$132.50. 

Early  in  tlie  meeting  the  Chiekasahay  ])ut  itself  on 
reeord  on  the  whiskey  question  with  the  following  reso- 
lutions : 

(1)  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  Assoeia- 
tion,  that  Baptist  ehurehes  ought  to  take  a  deeided 
stand  against  their  members  manufaeturing,  selling,  or 
using  intoxieating  liquors,  except  as  a  medicine. 

(2)  That  we  deplore  and  condemn  the  practice  of 
church  members  going  into  saloons,  or  signing  peti- 
tions for  others  to  sell  intoxicating  liquors.' 

T.  L.  Plurlljutt  read  the  report  on  Sunda3'  schools. 
He  said  he  had  discovered  from  a  reading  of  the  letters 
sent  up  bj^  the  churches,  that  while  their  membership 
was  reported  as  581,  the  attendance  upon  their  Sun- 
day-school exercises  was  only  4-4-0,  and  that  some  of 
the  churches  had  no  Sunday  schools.  It  was  not  only 
true  that  all  their  church  members  did  not  go  to" Sun- 
day .school,  but  also,  that  some  of  them  did  not  send 
their  children. 

Their  report  on  State  missions  was  bright  and 
cheery.  They  h£id,  in  the  last  year,  given  75  cents  to 
each  member  for  this  cause.  L.  E.  Hall  had  been  the 
evangelist  of  the  State  Mission  Board  in  their  bounds, 
and  had  done  such  efficient  work  in  protracted  meet- 
ings as  to  call  forth  their  Yavora1)le  comment,  and  to 
induce  them  to  ask  the  Board  to  continue  him  in  that 
ca])acity  in  their  Ijorders  and  in  the  adjacent  country. 
Their  eontidence  in  the  State  Mission  Board,  atOxford, 
Mississippi,  was  reaffirmed,  and  their  demeanor  toward 
it  verv  irracious. 


1066  HISTORY     OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

In  the  tall  of  1882,  their  elans  met  in  the  town  of 
Buekatvinna.  Fourteen  ehurches  had  their  names  on 
their  roll,  which  reported  a  total  membership  of  778, 
being  an  increase  over  the  year  before  of  197,  but  the 
average  of  their  contributions  per  member  decreased  to 
$4.70.  J.  M.  Phillips  presided  over  the  body,  and,  of 
course,  Frank  C.  McGee  was  their  clerk.  Year  by  year, 
they  elected  him  to  that  position.  He  was  a  good  clerk. 
The  Clear  Creek  and  the  Big  Creek  churches  were  re- 
ceived into  the  union  near  the  beginning  of  the  session, 
and  later,  the  Escatawpa  church,  of  Washington  county, 
Alabama. 

In  their  reports  that  year  the  Meridian  Female  Col- 
lege received  worthy  mention,  and  it  was  recommended 
that  they  continue  G.  W.  Knight  in  Mississippi  College. 
J.  W.  Bozeman  took  high  ground  on  the  question  of 
temperance  reform.  L.  E.  Hall  had  acquitted  himself  as 
an  evangelist,  and  was  highly  commended  for  the  work 
he  had  done.  The  effort  that  was  being  made  by  the 
General  Association  to  give  the  gospel  to  the  Choctaw 
Indians  of  the  State  was  noticed,  and  s\nnpathy  and 
aid  were  proffered  to  the  work. 

The  following  year  the  Ellisville  and  the  Central 
churches  were  received  into  the  Association,  and  the 
church  at  Augusta,  Perry  county,  was  received  by 
letter.  The  reception  of  these  churches  showed  not 
only  a  healthy  growth  of  the  Association,  but  a  broad- 
ening of  its  territory.  These  churches  were  far  away 
from  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad.  Augusta  is  the 
county  seat  of  Perry  county,  and  in  the  interior,  south- 
east of  Hattiesburg.  The  Central  church  was  west  of 
Hattiesburg,  at  that  time  claiming  Monroe  as  its  post- 
office.  Ellisville,  as  is  generally  known,  is  on  the  North- 
eastern Railroad  between  Hattiesburg  and  Meridian, 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1UG7 

A  new  era  was  dawning  for  the  Chiekasaha\\  The 
construetion  of  the  raih'oad  referred  to  was  iDut  in- 
creasing their  responsibility  and  the  scope  of  theij' 
influence. 

The  Association  Wcis  beginning  to  feel  its  force  and 
to  realize  fully  its  mission.  They  were  honored  that 
session  with  the  presence  of  J.  B.  Gambrell  from  the 
State  Mission  Botird,  A.  Grcssett  of  the  Bethlehem  As- 
sociation, L.  M.  Stone  of  the  Choctaw,  and  W.  H.  Car- 
roll of  the  Columbus.  The  eagles  fly  where  there  is 
prey.  The  strong  ministers  of  the  body  were  J.  W, 
Bozeman,  W.  D.  Xorthrup,  J.  M.  PhilHps,  T.  A.  Aloore 
and  L.  E.  Hall. 

That  _vear  \V.  II.  Patton  showed  his  real  self  in 
strong  recommendations  to  the  churches  as  to  the 
drink  evil.  He  recognized  the  fact  that  the  contest 
then  waged  between  the  liquor  power  and  morality  was 
ominous  with  results,  and  recommended  that  the  "en- 
tire membership  exert  every  honest  influence  the\'  pos- 
sessed to  arrest  the  licensed  sale  of  all  intoxicants  as  a 
beverage.'"  He  was  earnestly  seeking  a  law  that  would 
grant  local  option  by  counties. 

The  report  on  Associational  Alissions  put  that 
question  scjuarely  before  the  body.  The  church  at  Lau- 
derdale Station  had  but  eleven  members,  and  was  with- 
out a  pastor.  The  Central  church,  the  Ellisville  church, 
and  some  Baptists  in  Hattiesburg  who  were  expecting 
soon  to  constitute  a  church  in  that  new  town,  were 
urgent  in  their  calls  for  help.  Beside  these  demands, 
there  were  several  places  on  the  new  railroad  that  were 
needing  help.  The  magnitude  of  their  mission  work 
was  becoming  oppressive.  It  was  recommended  that 
H.  B.  Cooper  and  J.  M.  Phillips  he  aided  in  their  work, 
and  that  a  committee  of  three  l)e  ap]3ointed,  with  their 


1068  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

moderator  as  chairman,  to  represent  this  destitution 
to  the  State  Board,  and  secure  its  co-operation  in  the 
ripening  fields. 

In  the  fall  of  1884,  their  lines  were  strens^thened 
by  the  reception  of  the  Sandersville  and  Yellow  Creek 
churches  and  the  formal  recognition  of  the  church  at 
Augusta.  On  Saturday  morning  the  additional  cheer 
was  given  them  1\v  application  tor  membership  made 
by  the  churches  at  Estabutchie  and  Hattiesburg.  Three 
of  these  churches  were  on  the  new  line  of  railroad.  The 
Association  was  then  composed  of  just  twenty  churches, 
which  had  a  total  membership  of  1,032.  Their  total 
contributions  to  all  purposes  amounted  to  $5,532.92. 
The  little  one  is  fast  becoming  a  thousand. 

A  committee  appointed  in  1883  to  put  the  claims 
of  their  associational  missions  loefore  the  State  Board 
were  successful  in  their  mission.  The}-  made  overtures 
to  that  Board  for  pecuniary  help.  The  State  Board 
appointed  a  committee  of  three:  T.  J.  Walne,  W.  H. 
Hardy  and  J.  W.  Bozeman,  to  confer  with  them  as  to 
their  need  of  missionary  effort.  An  appropriation  of 
$1,000  was  secured  from  the  State  Board. 

S.  O.  Y.  Ray  was  commissioned  for  full  time  as  their 
missionary  at  a  salarj^  of  $700.00  and  necessary  ex- 
penses. J.  M.  Phillips,  at  his  own  charges,  had  done 
most  effective  work  in  destitute  places,  and  a  debt  of 
gratitude  to  him  was  acknowledged  by  the  body.  The 
Association  contributed  that  year  to  State  missions 
$317.31.  The  usual  reports  were  all  received  and 
adopted. 

The  following  year  the  churches  contributed 
$540.40  to  State  missions,  an  increase  of  $193.09. 
S.  O.  Y.  Ray  had  labored  unremittingly  through  the 
3'ear  in  their  territory.      He    organized    two    Sunday 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1069 

schools,  baptized  112,  collected  $1,260.00  for  church 
building,  and  $167.00  for  State  missions.  He  reported 
the  work  on  the  new  railroad  as  in  an  encouraging 
condition.  Houses  of  worship  \vere  ready  for  use  in 
Heidelberg,  Sandersville,  Tuscanola,  and  Hattiesburg. 

At  that  session  W.  H.  Hardy  offered  the  following 
preaiiible  and  resolution : 

Where.\s,  The  demands  for  more  ministers  arc  in- 
creasing by  reason  of  the  rapid  increase  of  population, 
and  the  need  of  more  churches,  and  the  fact  that  our 
old  ministers  are  passing  away;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  we  most  earnestly  recommend  that 
special  pra3'er  be  made  in  all  our  churches  that  God 
would  call  more  of  our  \'-oung  men  to  the  work  of  the 
ministr\-."  Tliat  part  of  the  State  about  that  time  and 
since  produced  ministers  who  have  risen  to  eminence:  as 
Baron  D.  Gray,  George  W.  Knight,  J.  W.  Lee,  W.  A. 
McComb,  and  others. 

About  that  time  some  of  the  progressive  men  of  the 
Association  were  in  high  glee  as  to  the  establishment  ot 
a  high  school  for  their  benefit  somewhere  on  the  N.  O. 
and  N.  E.  R.  R.  It  was  suggested  that  it  be  established 
at  Ellisville,  but  they  were  more  concerned  as  to  the 
school  itself  than  the  place  of  its  location.  In  the  re- 
port of  the  committee  on  the  estal^lishment  of  a  high 
school  made  the  following  year,  it  was  said  that  thev 
decided  that  Enterprise  was  the  best  place  for  the  school. 
Enteprise  is  where  the  two  railroads  converge.  But 
they  reported  that  circumstances  over  which  they  had 
no  control  had  caused  them  to  abandon  the  work  for 
the  time  lieing. 

The  spiritual  condition  of  the  churches  was  highly 
gratif3'ing.  There  was  a*  marked  improvement  in  their 
tone   and    sjjirit.     New   houses   of  worship  of  superior 


1()7()  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

architecture  were  being  built,  and  the  churches  were  re- 
ceiving many  valuable  accessions.  Especially  enjoy- 
able was  the  condition  of  the  Ellis ville  church.  The 
Association  spoke  of  their  zealous  endeavors  as  "the 
prowess  of  this  noble  band  of  Chistian  workers."' 

In  1886,  the  Chickasahay  had  been  in  existence  just 
a  decade.  Let  us  note  the  progress  that  had  been  made. 
The  Association  was  constituted  in  the  j'ear  of  our  na- 
tion's centennial  by  the  voluntary  action  of  nine  churches 
which  had  an  aggregate  membership  of  599  persons. 
In  1886,  there  were  twenty-four  churches  in  the  union 
with  a  total  membership  ot  1,339.  The  Association. 
was  nearh'  thrice  as  great  in  churches  and  membership 
as  it  was  in  the  beginning.  Beside  this,  it  had  in  the 
ten  years  of  its  existence  become  a  great  working  force. 
That  year  the  Vossburg  and  theMt.  Zion  churches  were 
received  into  the  Association. 

During  the  year,  the  missionary  of  the  Association 
had  traveled  more  than  five  thousand  miles,  had  bap- 
tized and  seen  baptized  in  his  work  65  persons,  had 
organized  one  church  and  two  Sunday  schools,  had  col- 
lected for  State  missions  $143.25;  and  forchurch  build- 
ing $564-. 70.  Several  new  churches  were  becoming  self 
supporting.  S.  O.  Y.  Ray,  their  evangelist,  said,  "The 
w^hole  field  of  Southeastern  Mississippi,  (east  of  N.  O. 
and  N.  E.  railroad)  is  now  open  for  aid,  and  evange- 
listic labors  would  be  ofvast  benefit  to  many  churches." 

The  twelfth  annual  session  was  held  with  the  church 
at  Heidellierg,  J.  W.  Bozeman  was  chosen  moderator, 
and  \V.  M.  Conner  clerk.  What  had  happened  to  Frank 
C.  McGee  ?  For  ten  years  he  served  the  body  faithfully 
as  clerk,  and  it  must  be  said  by  one  whose  eye  is  accus- 
tomed to  printed  Minutes,  that  he  is  not  often  excelled 
as  a  clerk.    His  Minutes  were  alwavs  orderly  and  clear. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1071 

At  that  time  \V.  11.  Patton  was  in  aglow  of  anima- 
tion on  the  whisky  cjuestion.  He  was  after  any  minis- 
ter or  other  chnrch  member  who  would  1)e  in  anywise 
connected  with  the  licjuor  traffic  or  countenance  it  in 
any  of  its  forms.  He  wished  a  temperance  text- 
book in  the  jjublic  schools,  and  an  endorsement  of  the 
work  done  by  the  Christian  women  in  their  efforts  to 
suppress  the  licjuor  traffic.  A  scintillation  from  his  hery 
zeal  on  the  (|ucstion  imparted  to  all  Christian  people 
Avould  close  every  saloon,  and  efface  every  "l)lin(l  ti^^er"' 
from  our  State. 

S.  O.  Y.  Ray  was  still  their  missionary.  He  ^rave 
34-5  days  of  the  year  to  the  work.  In  his  work  68  per- 
sons had  been  baptized.  He  collected  $900.00  for  church 
buildin^ijs,  and  $211.25  for  State  missions.  His  time 
\vas  largely  given  to  i)uilding  up  the  work  already  pro- 
jected. Some  of  the  new  churches  had  become  self-sus- 
taining, notable  among  them,  Lauderdale,  Laurel  and 
Xarkeeta.  The  church  at  Xarkeeta  was  needing  a  house 
of  worship,  and  the  Association  was  asked  to  aid  them 
in  the  work.  Still  there  were  many  destitute  ])laces  in 
the  bounds  of  the  .\ssociation. 

In  1888,  the  Cliickasahay  met  with  the  church  at 
Hattiesburg.  S.  ( ).  Y.  Ray  was  chosen  moderator,  and 
W.  M.  Conner,  clerk.  Two  churches  were  received  th^it 
year,  I^ine  Hill,  and  Fairmount.  The  names  of  28 
churches  were  enrolled,  l)ut  ten  of  them  were  not  repre- 
sented by  letters  or  delegates.  The  distance  some  of 
them  were  from  Hattiesburg,  perhaps,  was  one  of  the 
causes  for  their  dereliction  in  duty,  l)ut  that  meeting 
does  not  appear  clothed  with  the  interest,  or  character- 
ized by  the  zeal  of  many  meetings  that  preceeded  it. 

S.  O.  Y,  Ray,  their  veteran  missionary,  was  still  in. 
the  field  and  displaying  his  usual  animation  and  conse- 


1072  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

oration.  History  shall  have  to  let  the  world  know 
what  some  of  our  missionaries  have  sufifered  and  ac- 
complished for  humanity.  He  reported  that  the  churches 
at  State  Line  and  Buckatunna  had  efficient  pastors. 
H.  AI.  Long-  was  at  State  Line,  and  Luther  Norris  at 
Buckatunna.  In  connection  with  his  work  167  persons 
had  been  baptized.  The  amount  of  $391.50  had  been 
collected  for  State  missions,  and  $2,092.00  for  all  pur- 
poses.    "What  hath  God  wrought."' 

The  chief  interests  of  the  Association,  in  1889,  was 
in  education  and  their  associational  work.  The  usual 
reports  were  presented  to  the  bod\'and  discussed  in  the 
usual  fashion. 

S.  O.  Y.  Raj^  Avas  still  their  missionary,  lalDoring 
with  his  accustomed  zeal  and  efficiency.  He  reported 
need  of  much  work  in  their  bounds.  The  growing 
towns  along  the  lines  of  railwaj^  passing'  through  their 
territory,  were  inviting  the  messengers  of  the  gospel, 
and  the  contiguous  tields  were  white  unto  the  harvest. 
There  were  twenty  (20)  towns  in  their  iDorders,  and  in 
only  three  of  them  were  there  Baptist  ministers.  Alore 
preachers  was  a  pressing  need. 

The  high  school  question  was  revived  that  year. 
The  committee  on  the  subject  raised  four  years  before 
were  eager  to  report.  The  institution  of  learning  had 
been  established  at  Rawl's  Springs  near  Hattiesburg. 
The  location  is  distinguished  for  its  salul)rious,  resinous 
atmosphere,  and  the  healing  waters  of  its  gurgling, 
transparent,  iind  refreshing  springs.  It  was  stated 
with  pleasure,  that,  during  the  year  $1,200.00  had  been 
secured  in  cash  and  pledges,  and  five  acres  of  land  do- 
nated by  Capt.  W.  H.  Hardy,  and  Miss  Martha  Rawls. 
The  Pearl  Leaf  and  the  Ebenezer  Associations  had  en- 
dorsed the   venture,  and  promised  co-operation  in  the 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1073 

enterprise.  The  school  was,  therefore,  to  draw  patron- 
age, readily,  from  the  counties  of  Lauderdale,  Clarke, 
Wayne,  Jones,  Perry,  Hancock,  Lawrence,  Covington, 
and  Marion.  The  historian  has  read  so  much]  oF 
•promising  schools  in  the  State  that  failed  to  reach  the 
expectations  of  their  projectors,  that  the  statement  just 
made  is  little  more  to  him  than  a  dry  historical  fact. 

The  following  year  (1890)  a  number  of  churches 
were  received  into  the  union.  Calvary,  Southside,  High- 
land, and  Poplar  Springs,  churches  of  Meridian;  and 
Beulah,  and  Hepzibah  churches  were  received.  It  was 
a  peace  meeting  of  the  Chickasahay.  Capt.^W.  H. 
Hardy  referred,  in  a  fine  speech,  to  the  importance  of 
the  unity  of  the  Baptist  churches  of  Meridian,  and  asked 
for  a  general  Baptist  hand  shaking  with  the  delegates 
from  the  churches  entering  the  Association.  The  spirit 
of  the  writer  bounds  within  him  at  the  very  thought  of 
that  glorious  meeting  of  the  Chickasaha^'.  The  clouds 
that  had  long  hovered  in  sullen  silence,  ominous  with 
dire  foreboding,  had  been  rifted,  and  the  sweet  sunshine 
from  the  Sun  ofRighteousness  crept  through  the  rift,  and 
thawed  the  ice  that  had  for  years  kept  some  hearts 
blocked  to  the  echoing  tread  of  seeking  Christians.  To 
God's  name  be  all  the  glory. 

The  Association  heard  gladly  what  J.  A.  Hackett 
had  to  saA'  about  the  Southern  Baptist  Record.  The 
paper  was  pul)lishcd  in  Meridian,  and  J.  A.  Hackett 
was  the  junior  editor  and  business  manager.  Dr.  J.  A. 
Hackett  is  one  of  the  world's  best  men.  He  is  social, 
genial,  and  companionable.  His  Christianity  is  not 
a  cloak;  it  is  a  life.  It  is  not  necessary  that  he  call  at- 
tention to  it,  and  vaunt  himself,  as  some  do  these  davs; 
it  shines  with  a  clear,  pure  light,  and  is  as  natural  as  the 
ravs  of  tlic  sun. 


1074  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  Association  was,  at  that  meeting,  engaging  it- 
self as  to  an  expressed  desire  manifested  by  Miss  LilHe 
Creed,  who  had  in  view  iDecoming  a  missionary  to  a 
foreign  field.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  ascertain 
what  thej^  could  do  in  fitting  her  for  the  w^ork.  L.  M. 
Stone  had  proposed  to  educate  her  for  $75.00  a  session 
at  Shuqualak  Female  College.  The  young  ladj"  lived 
at  Narkeeta,  on  the  M.  &  O.  Railroad.  The  committee 
found  it  impossible  to  make  a  satisfactory  report  at 
that  session,  as  the\'  could  not  gather  the  desired  in-: 
formation  about  the  young  lady. 

In  1890,  the  question  of  the  high  school  at  Rawls, 
Springs  w'as  again  considered.  J.  P.  Williams,  about 
whom  w^e  shall  have  more  to  say  elsewhere,  was  in 
charge  of  the  institution  of  learning.  A  committee  re- 
ported on  a  debt  that  had  been  contracted  of  $152.50. 
The  claim  was  held  by  the  Meridian  Sash  and  Blind 
Factory.  As  three  associations  had  adopted  the  child, 
the  question  was  as  to  how  much  of  the  debt  the  Chick- 
asahay  should  pa3^  The  committee  recommended  that 
they  pay  the  amount  of  $102.50,  and  the  other  two 
associcitions  the  remainder.  Immediately  the3^  raised 
$89.65  in  cash  and  pledges  to  pay  off  the  debt. 

The  reception  of  the  Calvary  church  of  Meridian 
brought  back  to  the  Association  L.  A.  Duncan,  the  cor- 
rect historian  and  irrepressible  Sunday  school  advo- 
cate. He  was  made  chairman  of  the  committee  onSun- 
da3^  schools.  His  report  was  pointed  and  practical. 
Twenty  of  the  thirty  churches  composing  the  body  the 
previous  year  had  Sunday  schools,  which  had  a  total 
attendance  of  1,150  pupils.  Of  the  six  churches  re- 
ceived into  the  union  that  year,  five  had  Sunday  schools 
with  a  total  of  482  scholars.  That  gave  them  a-  total 
of  1,632  pupils  in  all  their  churches  that  had  a  total 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS  1075 

membership  of  2,350.  That  was,  indeed,  a  good 
showing. 

Airs.  Georgia  Dees  Phillips,  their  viee-president  of 
Woman's  Work  made  a  good  report  for  their  Woman's 
missionary  soeieties.  Mrs.  AI.  S.  Nelson  had  been  with 
their  women.  They  had  17  Alissionary  societies  and 
four  Sunbeam  societies.  They  had  contributed  to  home 
uses  $790.09,  to  Alississippi  College  Endowment  $213.- 
00,  to  Havana  House  $23.75,  to  China  missions  $19.- 
95,  to  the  Scranton  church  v$4.00,  to  Airs.  AI.  J.  Nelson's 
work  $1.65  and  to  missions  not  designated  $132.80. 
The  Association  gate  that  3^ear  to  State  missions 
$426.02,  to  Home  missions  $96.70,  and  to  Foreign 
missions  $142.95,  to  Alississippi  college  $1,635.27,  to 
Alinisterial  education  $92.40.  The  grand  total  of  their 
contributions  amounted  to  $11,443.86. 

The  session  of  1891  was  held  with  the  First  Church. 
Aleridian,  beginning  Septemljer  25,  J.  W.  Bozeman 
moderator,  and  W.  AI.  Conner,  clerk.  The  Fifteenth 
Avenue  church,  Aleridian,  was  received  into  the  organ- 
ization. 

On  motion  of  W.  AI.  Conner,  a  committee  was 
raised  to  report  on  the  "Louisiana  State  Lottery.  "The 
legalized  corporation  was  condemned  in  strong  lan- 
guage in  the  report  read  by  Elder  L.  E.  Hall.  Sympatic 
was  expressed  for  .the  good  State  of  Louisiana,  and  co- 
operation proffered  to  aid  in  the  overthrow  of  the 
"monster  of  iniquity.'" 

The  standing  comniittee  on  Associational  missions 
was  instructed  to  confe;-  with  the  Convention  Board  as 
to  the  destitution  with. a  their  bounds  and  in  East 
Louisiana  contiguous  to  their  territory.  The  body 
pledged  itself  to  see  that  a  proper  missionary  in  the 
field  should  be  supported.     It  had  been  two  years  since 


1076  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Elder  S.  O.  Y.  Ray  resigned,  and  in  that  time  nothing" 
had  been  done  to  cultivate  their  field  of  destitution. 

The  following  resolution  as  to  a  Sundaj^  School  In- 
stitute was  adopted. 

'^Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  Association 
that  at  least  one  Sunday  School  Institute  should  be 
held  in  the  bounds  of  this  Association  before  its  next 
annual  meeting  for  the  discussion  of  such  subjects  as 
may  be  selected  hj  a  committee.  The  committee  con- 
sisted of  W.  H.  Patton,  D.  F.  Woods,  andL.  A.Duncan. 
This  movement  was  productive  of  much  good. 

The  Association  was  of  necessit3^  much  interested 
in  the  question  of  "  College  Removal,"  as  the  Cit\' of 
Meridian  was  in  its  bounds.  A  committee  of  seven  was 
appointed  to  present  to  the  State  Convention  the  ad- 
vantages of  Meridian  as  a  suitable  place  for  Mississippi 
college.  Capt.  W.  H,  Hardy  was  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee. They  reported  the  following  year  that  they 
had  discharged  their  duty,  and  presented  resolutions 
on  "Removal,"  disapproving  "the  actions  of  the  people 
of  Clinton  in  their  expressed  determination  to  defeat  the 
deliberate  will  and  purpose  of  the  Convention  as  ex- 
pressed at  Meridian  in  reference  to  the  removal  of  Mis- 
sissippi college. 

The  Association  in  1892  was  awake  on  the  sub- 
ject of  Associational  missions.  Elder  S.  O.  Y.  Ray 
went  into  the  field  November  1,  1891.  He  labored  313 
days,  traveled  2,170  miles,  baptized  19,  and  saw  bap- 
tized by  others  as  the  results  of  his  work  59.  He  held 
meetings  in  15  churches,  and  especially  aided  the  weak 
churches  at  Lauderdale  and  Vossburg.  For  various 
reasons  given,  strange  to  say,  their  committee  on  Asso- 
ciational missions  suggested  to  the  bod3^  that  thcA'  dis- 
continue the  work.  The  destitution  was  small,  and  so 
were  the  contributions  to  the  work. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1077 

Their  interest  in  the  Sunday  school  work  was 
abounding'.  Twenty-two  Sunday  schools  were  reported 
by  the  churches.  An  institute  was  held  the  da^'  before 
the  meeting  of  the  Association,  of  which  W.  H.  Patton 
was  chairman,  and  J.  G.  Flournoy  secretary.  The 
meeting  w^is  enjo\'e,d,  auvl  was  highly  profitable,  l)ut 
their  schools  were  not  all  represented. 

In  1893,  the  Barnett  church  was  received  into  their 
fellowship,  and  the  Augusta  church  granted  a  letter  ot 
dismission.  The  Pachuta  church  had  a  distressing  debt 
of  $20,000,  and  asked  assistance  from  the  bodj^  in  its 
liquidation.     A  response  was  made  of  $5(3.00. 

On  the  morning  of  the  second  da^^  of  their  meeting 
the  report  on  missions  was  considered.  A.  V.  Rowc, 
then  corresponding  secretar^v  of  the  Convention  Board, 
was  present,  arid  secured  pledges  for  State  missions, 
amounting  to  $552.50.  It  was  expressed  as  the  sense 
of  the  Association  that  the  Convention  Board  should 
pay  the  salary  of  Evangelist  G.  W.  Knight. 

SuitalDle  preaml^le  and  resolutions  were  presented 
as  to  the  opening  of  Stone  College  at  Meridian.  Due 
notice  will  be  taken  as  to  this  deliverance  in  the  history 
of  Stone  College. 

Their  Sunday  School  Institute  in  1893,  as  in  the 
previous  year,  was  held  the  day  before  the  meeting  of 
the  Association.  That  it  may  be  seen  how  much  the 
Institute  was  enjo_ved,  we  cannot  foilocar  giving  the 
aftermath  of  the  meeting.  "  L.  A.  Duncan  added  a 
number  of  good  things  to  the  many  good  things  said 
by  others,  and  O.  D.  Bowen  expressed  himself  as  be- 
lieving the  addresses  at  this  Sunday  School  Institute 
have  been  free  from  ol3Jcctions  without  exception."' 

In  1893,  the  churches  of  the  Association  gave  to 
State  missions  $450.4-3,  to  Foreign  missions  $423.59, 


1078  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

to  Home  missions  $303.72  ana  to  Ministeral education 
$148.25. 

Letters  of  dismission  were  granted  in  1894  to  a 
number  of  churches  to  go  into  the  formation  of  the 
Lebanon  Association.  The  churches  were  Laurel,  San- 
dersville,  Heidelberg,  Ellisville,  and  Estabuchie.  The 
new  association  was  to  be  along  the  Northeastern 
Railroad.  Thus  the  Chickasahaj^  Association  lost  a 
number  of  good  churches,  but  soon  one  of  the  best  as- 
sociations in  the  State  was  composed  between  Meri- 
dian and  New  Orleans. 

Mrs.  Georgie  D.  Phillips  was  that  3'ear  vice  presi- 
dent of  Woman's  Work  in  the  Chickasahay.*  The  re- 
port of  the  women  was  good.  Several  churches  were 
then  erecting  houses  of  worship,  and  the  women  had 
given  much  to  church  building.  One  new  society  had 
been  organized,  in  Hepzebah  church.  The  amount  re- 
ported by  the  societies  for  all  purposes  was  $1,703.21. 

The  Chickasahay  was  for  a  number  of  \^ears  a  lead- 
ing association  in  Colportage.  In  1892,  it  was  recom- 
mended that  the  Convention  Board  be  requested  to  put 
one  or  two  colporteurs  in  the  Association  as  soon  as 
possible.  The  following  year  it  was  suggested  that  the 
churches  take  collections  for  the  work.  It  was  regretted 
in' 1894  that  the  Convention  Board  had  not  been  able 
to  carry  out  their  wishes  in  the  matter,  and  it  was 
urged  that  the  Association  proceed  to  put  a  colporteur 
in  the  field.  In  1895-96,  J.  M.  Phillips  gave  all  his 
time  to  the  work,  and  R.  A.  Breckenridge  nearh^  four 
months.  It  was  then  hoped  that  co-operation  could 
be  established  with  the  Lebanon,  Bethlehem,  and 
Libert^'-  Associations.  The  Hobolochitto  came  into  the 
arrangement,  and  appointed  a  missionar3^  and  col- 
porteur, who  did   acceptable  work.     The   Convention 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1079 

Board  became  responsil^le  for  the  salary  of  J.  M.  Phil- 
lips, who  was  selling  a  great  mam^  good  books. 

The  sessions  of  1897  and  1898  were  not  clothed 
■with  any  unusual  interest.  The  usual  reports  were 
read  on  Foreign  missions,  Woman's  work,  education, 
sustentation.  State  and  Home  missions,  orphanage, 
Sunday  schools,  temperance,  etc. 

In  1899,  it  was  determined  to  hold  Sunday  school 
institutes  again  on  the  day  before  the  meeting  of  the 
Association.  It  was  a  wise  movement  at  first,  and  its 
discontinuance  a  mistake. 

There  were  twenty  ordained  ministers  in  the  Asso- 
ciation in  1899,  among  whom  were  W.  J.  David,  A. 
Gressett,  J.  A.  Hackett,  G.  C.  Johnson,  J.  M.  Phillips,  A. 
J.  Rogers,  L.  M.  Stone,  and  R.  A.  Venable. 

From  1890  to  1900,  the  moderators  of  the  Chicka. 
sahay  were  J.  W.  Bozeman,  L.  M.  Stone,  and  R.  A. 
Venable.  Their  clerks  were  W.  M.  Conner,  O.  D.  Bowen, 
and  J.  S.  Hardee. 


1080  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

GULF  COAST  ASSOCIATION. 
Ax  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE  GULF  COAST  BAPTIST 

ASSOCIATION  BY  o.  D.  BOWEN. — The  work  of  Bro.  ].  B. 
Hamberlin,  missionary  of  the  Board  of  State  Alissions 
of  the   Mississippi   Baptist  State  Convention,  had  re- 
sulted as  we  have  shown  in  the   organization  of  the 
churches  situated  between  the  cities  of  New  Orleans, 
Louisiana,   and   Mobile,   Alabama,   thereby  filling  up 
this  vast  destitution  with  active  gospel  churches,  and 
placing  the  situation  of  affairs  in  such  a  shape  as  to 
call  for  the  attention  and  consideration  of  the  churches 
all  along  the  line,  as  to  the  practicability-  and  necessity 
of  the  union  of  them  all  in  the  formation  of  a  body  that 
-would   strengthen  and  enliven,  and  advance  the  work 
of  the  Lord  committed  to  their  hands.     To  connect 
these  portions  of  three  States  in  forming  a  united  front, 
was  a  subject  that  in  the  very  nature  of  things  called 
for  a  serious  thought  on  the  part  of  those  directly  in- 
terested in  a  work  in  which  all  would  feel  a  common 
interest.     After  mature  thought  on  this  important  sub- 
ject in  which  so  inuch  was  involved,  and  a  special  visit 
by  Bro.  Hamberlin  to  the  churches  both  in  Mobile  and 
New  Orleans,  on  the  subject,  it  culminated  in  the  agree- 
ment on  the  part  of  the  churches  situated  in  Mobile  and 
those  adjacent  thereto.  New  Orleans  and  the  intervening 
coast,  to  assemble  b\^  delegation  and  put  into  execution 


HISTORY    OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  lOSl 

what,  in  the  minds  of  many,  was  beHeved  to  be  the 
very  best  step  that  could  be  taken  for  the  furtherance 
of  the  gospel  of  the  kin<^dom  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
The  churches  in  Mobile,  and  those  contiguous  to  that 
cit}'  that  took  part  in  the  matter,  as  before  mentioned, 
belonged  to  the  then  existing  Providence  Association. 
In  order  to  the  consummation  of  a  new  organization  of 
anew  association, it  was  agreed  that  a  meeting  be  held 
in  the  cit\'  of  Alobile  at  the  time  of  the  annvial  session 
of  the  Providence  Association,  at  which  time  and  place 
a  full  understanding  might  be  arrived  at.  Conse- 
quently delegates  or  messengers  from  the  churches  in 
New  Orleans  and  along  the  coast  met  with  the  associa- 
tion aforesaid  for  the  purpose  already  stated.  The 
Providence  Association  met  in  its  twentj'-second  an- 
nual session  at  10  o'clock  a.  m..  May  26,  1877,  with 
the  St.  Francis  street  Baptist  church.  Mobile,  Alabama, 
and  was  called  to  order  by  Wm.  Spence,  the  former 
moderator,  A.  B.  Couch,  the  former  clerk,  being  in  his 
place.  After  some  discussion  as  to  the  best  method  of 
incorporating  the  churches  of  New  Orleans,  Louisiana, 
and  the  intervening  coast  into  one  association  with  the 
churches  of  this  body,  the  following  resolution  was 
passed : 

Resolved,  That  the  Providence  Association  be,  and 
is  hereb\^  dissolved,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  new 
association ;  whereupon  the  Providence  Association 
was  declared  dissolved. 

At  12  o'clock  m.,  immediateh'  on  the  dissolution  of 
said  association,  in  the  St.  Francis  street  house  of  wor- 
ship, X.  W.  Wilson,  of  New  Orleans,  was  called  to  the 
chair,  and  Marion  B.  Richmond,  of  Scranton,  was  ap- 
pointed secretary-. 

On  motion   the   moderator  appointed  a  committee 


1082  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

on  credentials.  Said  committee  reported  on  churches 
and  messengers.  The  names  of  the  churches  then  repre- 
sented in  the  formation  of  the  new  association,  were : 

Union,  Brook  Cedron,  Ocean  Springs,  Moss  Point, 
Bay  St.  Louis,  Biloxi,  Zion,  Shell  Bank,  Handsboro, 
Scranton,  St.  Francis  Street,  Broad  Street,  Palmetto 
Street  churches  of  Mobile ;  and  Coliseum  Place  and  the 
First  Church  of  New  Orleans.    Fifteen  were  represented. 

On  motion  the  chairman  then  appointed  a  commit- 
tee of  one  from  each  church  to  draft  a  constitution  and 
rules  of  order  for  the  new  association  ;  and,  on  motion, 
all  ministers  present  were  added  : 

Committee.— L.  Crabtree,  W.  B.  Bolton,  Noel  Tur- 
ner, D.  W.  McGaughe\^  John  Morrison,  Geo.  A.  Pierce, 
H.  E.  Anderson,  Geo.B.  Elder,  W.  A.  Whitfield,  M.  A. 
Dees,  R.  A.  Vancleave,  B.  J.  Carter,  A.  P.  Bush,  Sr.,  Dr. 
N.  W.  Wilson.  Elders  T.  B.  Thames,  A.  B.  Couch,  H.  P. 
Hanson,  Wm.  Spence,  B.  R.  Jackson,  T.  E.  Rowell, 
W.  C.  Morrow,  J.  B.  Hamberlin,  A.  L.  Blizzard,  H.  C. 
Bachelor,  J.  O.  B.  Lowrev,  James  H.  Currv,  and  Theo. 
W.  Ebeltoft. 

At  4:30  p.m.,  the  committee  on  constitution  and 
rules  of  order  reported.  Then  was  read,  discussed  and 
adopted.  (Only  a  part  considered  relevant  to  this  sub- 
ject is  here  given) : 

Article  1.  This  association  shall  be  called  the  Gulf 
Coast  Baptist  Association. 

Article  6.  This  Association  shall  meet  annually,  at 
such  time  and  place  as  shall  be  agreed  upon. 

On  motion,  proceeded  to  the  election  of  officers, 
which  resulted  as  follows;  Wm.  A.  Buck,  moderator; 
AI.  B.  Richmond,  clerk;  Israel  Putnam,  treasurer. 

The  Association  proceeded  in  the  usual  way  or 
order  of  business,  appointing  committees,  receiving, 
discussing  and  adopting  reports. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1083 

On  motion,  it  was  agreed  to  accept  the  invitation 
of  AIoss  Point  church  to  hold  the  next  meeting  there. 
Dr.  N.  W.  Wilson  was  appointed  to  preach  the  intro- 
ductor\'  sermon,  with  J,  H.  Currj'^  as  alternate. 

At  10:30  oclockp.  m.,  on  motion  adjourned  to  meet 
Avith  Moss  Point  church,  Jackson  county,  Miss.,  on 
Frida}'  before  the  first  Sunday  in  May,  1878.  PraA'cr 
by  Dr.  Wilson. 

The  news  of  the  formation  of  this  bod3'^  of  Baptists 
was  received  with  much  satisfaction  and  joy  in  many 
parts  of  our  land.  It  sounded  out  to  the  regions,  far 
be\'ond  the  territory  of  the  Gulf  Coast  Association,  and 
was  believed  to  be  the  precursor  of  such  success  to  our 
cause  as  had  never  been  v^'itnessed  before  on  the  field 
extending  from  the  great  Mississippi  to^the  Alabama 
river.  The  organization  of  this  association  appeared 
to  inspire  the  brotherhood  with  fresh  courage  and  con- 
fidence. The  once  dreary  and  solitar3'  places  along  the 
shores  of  the  Mississippi  Sound  so  recenth^  redeemed 
from  under  the  appjdling  condition  already  referred  to, 
no  longer  let  their  harps  hang  upon  the  willows ;  but 
they  are  no\v  attuned  in  singing  the  song  of  Zion's  de- 
liverance. There  was  a  fresh  impulse  to  go  forward. 
The  brotherhood  living  in  the  south  portions  of  three 
States  clasp  hands  and  with  united  hearts  agree  to 
follow  the  Captain  of  their  salvation  and  go  forward 
to  glorious  war.  Verily,  the  dear  Lord  must  have  led 
them  in  the  ways  of  heavenly  wisdom,  and  there  must 
have  been  no  strange  god  with  them.  The  statistical 
table  as  shown  by  the  churches  in  the  aggregate,  at 
the  organization  of  the  Association,  was  as  follows  : 

Number  membership  reported 1,107 

Number  Sabbath  School  scholars  and  teachers  -    1,402 

The  first  annual  session  of  the  Association  was  held 


1084-  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

with  Moss  Point  church  as  agreed  upon  at  its  forma- 
tion. It  met  May  24-,  1878.  There  were  fourteen 
churches  represented.  Dr.  N.  W.  Wilson  was  chosen 
moderator,  M.  B.  Richmond,  clerk,  and  George  A.  Pearce, 
treasurer.  Letters  from  Bethany  church,  Whistler, 
Ala.,  and  Antioch  church,  Jackson  county.  Miss.,  ask- 
ing for  admission  into  the  Association,  were  read  and 
the  churches  received.  The  introductory  sermon  was 
preached  by  Dr.  N.  W.  Wilson,  that  prince  of  preachers, 
from  the  text,  "  Ye  must  be  born  again.''  The  sermon 
engaged  the  attention  of  the  large  audience,  which  sat 
with  fixed  attention  while  the3^  listened  to  the  solemn 
truths  moistened  with  tears,  as  they  fell  from  the  lips  of 
this  earnest  preacher.  The  Association  proceeded  with 
the  regular  order  of  business.  T.  J.  Walne,  of  the  State 
Mission  Board,  J.  B.  Gambrell,  of  the  Baptist  Record, 
and  W.  D.  Maguirk,  representing  the  Southern  Baptist, 
Avere  invited  to  seats  and  to  participate  in  the  deliber- 
ations of  the  body.  Reports  from  committees  ap- 
pointed to  w^rite  on  the  various  subjects,  were  read, 
discussed  and  adopted.  These  reports  show  that  the 
brethren  of  the  committees  were  posted  in  reference  to 
the  subjects  about  which  the\'' wrote;  and  the\' were 
not  only  instructive,  but  were  calculated  to  arouse  the 
brotherhood  to  every  good  word  and  work. 

The  meeting  at  Moss  Point  was  most  encouraging. 
It  was  largely  attended,  and  was  made  profitable  to 
God's  people,  because  of  the  soul-stirring  speeches,  the 
warm-hearted  praj^ers ;  and  above  all,  because  of  the 
attending  power  of  the  Hoh^  Spirit,  which  gave  unction 
to  glorify  God  and  edif\'  his  people.  The  statistical 
table  shows  for  the  past  year :  Baptisms,  163 ;  total 
membership  1,171. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1085 

Contributions  to  Domestic  missions     .     -     -    $292.00 
"    Foreign  "        -     -      -     -     101.75 

"   Gulf  Coast  Association      -      -      26.95 

SUNDAY-SCHOOL  STATISTICS. 

Total  number  scholars  and  teachers    -     -     -     -      1,793 
Amount  contriliuted  to  missions $100.45 

On  motion  adjourned  to  meet  with  Handsboro 
church,  Friday  before  the  fourth  Sabbath  in  May,  1879, 
and  that  T.  B.  Thames  preach  the  introductory-  ser- 
mon, with  H.  C.  Weymouth  as  alternate. 

The  second  annual  meeting  of  the  Association  was 
held  at  Handsboro,  June  13,  1879,  and  was  called  to 
order  by  Bro.  M.  B.  Richmond,  in  the  absence  of  Dr. 
N.  W,  Wilson,  deceased.  The  meeting  was  opened  with 
prayer  by  T.  J.  Walne.  Upon  motion  Elder  Couch  was 
elected  temporar\^  moderator,  when  the  business  of 
the  Association  was  proceeded  with.  Thirteen  churches 
were  represented.  On  motion  J,  O.  B.  Lowr^-  was 
chosen  moderator,  M.  B.  Richmond,  clerk,  and  A.  H. 
Nelson,  treasurer. 

A  petitionary^  letter  was  read  and  messenger  wel- 
comed from  the  church  at  Mandeville,  represented  bv 
U.  J.  Sharp. 

On  motion  visiting  Ijrethren  were  invited  to  seats 
in  the  Association.  T.  J.  Walne,  of  the  State  Board  of 
Missions,  A.  F.  Owens  and  Taylor  Fryerson,  of  the 
Sea  Coast  Colored  Baptist  Association,  took  seats  in 
the  bod3\ 

The  associational  sermon  was  preached  In' J.  O.  B. 
Lo wry,  from  the  text,  "He  that  is  slow  to  anger  is 
better  than  the  might3^ ;  and  he  that  ruleth  his  spirit 
than  he  that  taketh  a  city." 

On  motion  Bro.  Grisham,  of  the  ChickasahaA'  Asso- 
ciation, was  invited  to  a  seat  in  the  body. 


1086  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI    BAPTISTS. 

It  was  moved  that  a  committee  of  three  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  moderator  to  take  into  consideration 
the  question  of  allowing  women  to  represent  churches, 
as  messengers,  in  this  Association. 

The  several  reports  on  various  subjects  were  read, 
discussed  and  adopted. 

The  report  on  Foreign  missic  ns  shows  liberal  con- 
tributions from  the  churches  during  the  past  3'ear — 
$558.69  were  contributed  to  this  great  work. 

The  report  of  committee  on  receiving  w^omen  as 
messengers,  recommended  a  postponement  of  the  ques- 
tion until  the  next  annual  session  of  the  bod3^  The 
report  of  the  Executive  Board  shows  the  work  of  Mis- 
sionary Hamberlin,  for  one  year,  which  will  compare 
most  favorably  with  the  work  of  any  Home  or  State 
missionary  of  modern  times. 

The  letter  from  Sea  Coast  Colored  Association  calls 
for  help  from  the  white  brethren,  and  the  appeal  is 
made  in  most  tender  and  touching  expressions. 

The  report  on  nominations  recommended  that  the 
Association  meet  on  Friday  before  the  fourth  Sabbath 
in  April,  1880,  with  the  Coliseum  Place  church  in  New 
Orleans,  and  that  J.  B.  Hamberlin  preach  the  associa- 
tion sermon.  During  the  past  year  the  chvirch  at  Ba}- 
St.  Louis  had  the  benefit  of  the  labors  of  H.  C.  Wey- 
mouth, of  New  Orleans.  This  brother  did  some  very 
effective  work  at  Mandeville  on  Lake  Pontchartrain. 
He  baptized  quite  a  number  of  persons  there  (most  of 
them  from  Catholic  ranks)  and  succeeded  in  organizing 
a  church  at  that  place,  which,  as  we  have  seen,  applied 
for  membership  in  this  body  and  was  received.  The 
report  on  Obituaries  records  the  death  of  our  dear 
brother,  N.  W.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  Coliseum  Place 
church,  New  Orleans.    This  brother  fell  asleep  Septem- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1087 

ber  G,  1878,  a  victim  of  the  great  yellow  fever  epidemic 
of  that  3'ear.  His  labors  among  the  Israel  of  God  were 
so  abundant,  and  his  experience  so  ripe,  and  his  life  so 
spotless,  and  his  influence  for  good  so  great,  that  the 
news  of  his  decease  fell  most  heavily  upon  the  hearts  of 
those  who  knew  and  appreciated  his  worth.  All  our 
hearts  conspired  to  sa}',  "A  prince  in  Israel  is  fallen." 
While  the  report  on  obituaries  does  not  record  the 
death  of  any  save  that  of  Brother  Wilson,  it  is  proper 
that  we  should  mention  the  fact  that  the  epidemic 
swept  all  along  the  territory  of  the  Association,  and 
man}'  of  our  fellow  mortals  went  the  way  of  all  the 
earth,  and  £imong  the  number  were  some  of  the  mem- 
bers of  our  churches  at  the  several  points.  The  epi- 
demic left  a  very  depressing  effect  upon  everyl)od\',  and 
the  churches  were  greatly  I'ctarded  in  the  work.  In- 
deed, all  church  work  was  suspended  during  the  epi- 
demic, except  that  of  caring  tor  the  sick  and  dying. 

The  Minutes  of  this  meeting  show  that  M.  C.  Cole, 
a  most  humble  and  warm-hearted  Christian  minister, 
is  the  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  New  Orleans, 
We  shall  have  more  to  say  of  him  and  his  work  in  an- 
other place.  The  statistical  table  shows:  Number  of 
baptisms,  39;  total  membership,  1,410.  The  financial 
report  is  so  complicated  in  giving  the  amounts  con- 
triljuted  to  the  various  objects  of  Christian  benevolence, 
thatl  will  not  undertake  to  make  a  statement,  but  the 
contributions  were  liberal.  The  Sunday-school  statis- 
tics show:  Number  of  scholars  and  teachers,  1,659. 
Amount  contributed  to  missions,  $65.50. 

On  motion  adjourned  to  meet  with  Coliseum  Place 
church.  New  Orleans,  at  the  time  before  mentioned. 

When  the  yellow  fever  epidemic  is  considered  in  con- 
nection with  the  work  of  the  past  year,  it  will  appear 


1088  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

that  the  interest  taken  in  the  good  work  b\^  the  breth- 
ren was  not  abated,  but  was  all  that  could  have  been 
expected  under  circumstances  so  unfavorable. 

The  third  annual  session  of  the  body  met  with 
Coliseum  Place"  church,  April  23,  1880,  and  was  called 
to  order  by  J.  O.  B.  Lowry,  the  moderator.  Prayer 
was  ofifer£d  bj^  T.  J,  Walne. 

The  Miautes  show  that  eleven  churches  were  repre- 
sented 43y  delegates  and  letter ;  and  upon  motion  pro- 
ceeded to  the  election  of  officers  with  the  following  re- 
sult:  J,  O.  B.  Lowry,  moderator;  M.  B.  Richmond, 
clerk,  and  W.  S.  Wilson,  treasurer.  Visiting  brethren 
were,  upon  motion,  invited  to  seats  within  the  Associa- 
tion. The  following  brethren  participated  in  the  meetr 
ing :  W.  S.  Webb,  president  of  Mississippi  College ;  T.  J. 
Walne,  of  Board  of  State  Missions:  W.  H.  Robert,  gen- 
eral evangelist  of  freedmen. 

The  delegation  being  very  small,  and  some  of  the 
brethren  of  the  standing  committees  not  in  attendance, 
the  reports  were  rather  meagre.  The  brother  ap- 
pointed to  preach  the  association  sermon  not  being 
present,  W.  S.  Webb  preached  a  sermon  suited  to  the 
occasion  from  the  words  of  Paul:  "For  the  love  of 
Christ  constraineth  us.''  His  sermon  was  delivered  in 
a  clear  and  forcible  manner. 

The  report  of  the  committee,  appointed  at  last 
meeting  on  admission  of  women  as  messengers  to  the 
Association,  were  not  ready  to  report.  Upon  motion 
the  committee  was  discharged. 

The  report  on  Foreign  missions  submitted  b\'- J.  E. 
Randolph,  in  lieu  of  the  report  that  should  have  been 
read  by  the  standing  committee,  was  most  excellent 
and  .submitted  as  much  solid  truth  in  a  few  words  as 
can  be  found  in  any  report  of  its  length. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  108S> 

The  report  on  Sunday  schools  In^  F.  C.  Gregory 
shows  that  the  statistical  table  stands  about  as  it  did' 
the  last  3'ear. 

J.  B.  Hamberlin  having  been  appointed  missionary 
to  Vicksburg,  his  place  was  supplied  b^^  R.  N.  Hail,  of 
Crawford,  Miss.,  who  took  charge  of  the  eastern  divi- 
sion of  the  Coast,  but  the  western  division  was  left 
without  ministerial  suppW.  The  work  of  Bro.  Hall, 
while  he  w'as  on  the  Coast,  was  blessed  of  the  Lord. 
Besides  serving  the  churches  of  Moss  Point,  Scranton 
and  Ocean  Springs,  he  did  some  faithful  and  effectual 
work  on  Bluff  Creek,  which  resulted  in  the  baptism  of 
five  or  six  persons  and  the  organization  of  a  church 
there.  This  w^ork  was  among  a  people  who  had  l^een 
left  with  no  one  to  care  for  their  souls.  Like  his  Mas- 
ter, Brother  Hall  preached  the  gospel  to  the  poor.  His. 
work  in  this  association  expired  September,  1 SSO. 

The  Palmetto  street,  Broad  street  and  St.  Francis 
street  churches  of  Mobile,  and  Bethany  church,  of 
Whistler,  Ala.,  asked  for  letters  of  dismission  from  this 
body  to  join  an  Alabama  association.  Their  request 
was  granted.  The  withdrawing  of  these  churches  from 
this  association  was  regretted  loy  every  one  who  w'as 
informed  as  to  their  worth  in  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord 
Jesus.  They  had  added  much  to  the  high  standing  and 
labor  of  love  of  the  bod}-  as  long  as  they  continued 
memlDcrs  of  it.  The  Association  felt  strong,  and  greatly 
encouraged  by  their  presence,  wise  counsel  and  work  of 
charity ;  and  it  w^as  with  a  feeling  of  sadness  that  their 
letters  were  granted.  These  churches  felt  that  it  would 
be  to  the  interest  of  the  Master's  kingdom  to  withdraw^ 
or  they  would  not  have  done  so ;  Ijut,  l^e  this  as  it  may, 
^vhatever  was  gain  to  others  where  they  went  to  labor ,^ 
was  lost  to  us,  £ind  we  feel  it  most  sensibh'  to  this  dayx 


1090  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

and  our  hope  is  that  they  will  feel  ere  long  like  return- 
ing to  their  brethren  of  the  Gulf  Coast  Association,  who 
stand  ready  to  give  them  a  heart\'  welcome.  Our  hope 
of  their  return  is  brightened  as  we  learn  that  the3^  have 
not  united  with  an  Alabama  association,  but  still  hold 
letters  froin  this  body. 

The  Association  at  this  meeting,  in  New  Orleans, 
did  not  seem  to  be  like  her  former  self.  It  appeared  as 
if  indifference,  or  something  else,  we  know  not  what, 
had  gotten  possession  of  most  of  the  churches,  and  they 
■came  well  nigh  leaving  the  Association  to  take  care  of 
herself. 

The  linancial  statistics  show  amount  contributed 
to  missions,  $421.30;  number  of  baptisms,  41 ;  total 
meml3ership,  1,335, 

The  Mandeville  and  Union  churches  did  not  repre- 
sent themselves  hj  delegate  or  letter. 

TheSundaj'-school  statistics  show  number  of  schol- 
ars and  teachers,  958 ;  amount  contributed  to  mis- 
ons,  $20.60.  The  Sunday  schools  of  Broad  street  and 
St.  Francis  street  churches.  Brook  Cedron,  Friendship, 
Ocean  Springs  and  Union  churches  did  not  send  reports, 
hence  the  foregoing  table  is  not  complete. 

On  motion  adjourned  to  meet  with  Scranton  church 
on  Friday  betore  the  fourth  Sunda3^  in  April,  1881. 
M.  C.  Cole  to  preach  the  introductory  sermon,  with 
J.  E.  Thigpen  as  alternate. 

The  Association  met  in  its  fourth  annual  session 
with  the  Scranton  Baptist  church  on  April  22,  1881. 
The  moderator  being  absent.  Clerk  M.  B.  Richmond 
called  the  Association  to  order.  Prayer  was  offered  by 
J.  B.  Hamberlin,  and  O.  D.  Bowen  was  elected  tempor- 
ary^ moderator.  Eight  churches  were  represented  by 
delegates  and  ])y  letters.     The  Association  went  into 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1091 

the  election  of  officers  with  the  foHowin^  result:  O.  D. 
Bowen,  moderator;  AI.  B.  Richmond  clerk,  and  C.  AI. 
Liddle,  treasurer.  Visiting  brethren  were  invited  to 
seats  in  the  body.  J.  B.  Hamberlin,  of  Vicksburg;  L.S. 
Piker,  of  Baton  Rouge:  Geo.  B.  Eager,  of  Mobile,  and 
Hardy  Smith,  of  Hobolochitto  Association,  took  seats 
in  the  body. 

The  reports  on  the  subjects  upon  which  committees 
had  been  appointed  to  write,  were  called  for,  but  none 
\vere  ready  excejit  those  on  Home  missions  and  Rela- 
tion to  Colored  People.  These  reports  were  read,  dis- 
cussed and  adopted.  And  the  subject  of  Foreign  mis- 
sions and  Sunday  schools  were  discussed  at  some  length 
wnth  profit  to  those  who  were  present. 

A  district  meeting  was  organized  and  the  pro- 
gramme laid  out  for  the  first  meeting,  which  \vas  to 
take  place  at  Handsboro,  on  Thursday  night  of  Octo- 
ber 27,  1881.  Essayists  were  appointed  to  write  on 
subjects  of  much  im])ortance,  but  by  reason  of  neglect 
the  meeting  did  not  take  place,  and  consecjuently  the 
programme  was  not  carried  out.  The  destitution  on 
the  western  division  of  the  coast  work,  caused  by  the 
moving  awa}^  of  Brother  Hamberlin,  was  filled  for  three 
months  of  this  year  by  I.  A.  Hailey,  then  of  the  Louis- 
ville Theological  Seminary.  Brother  Hailey  served  the 
churches  at  Bay  St.  Louis,  Handsboro  and  Biloxi,  with 
satisfaction  to  those  who  love  the  Lord  and  love  plain 
earnest  gospel  preaching.  It  should  be  said  that  Elder 
Hailc}'  had  l)een  called  to  the  pastorate  of  Moss  Point, 
Scranton  and  Ocean  Springs  churches  lieforc  this  Asso- 
ciation meeting.  He  had  accei)ted  the  call,  and  was 
expected  to  arrive  in  a  few  days  and  take  charge  of  the 
field  as  a  missionary  of  the  State  Board.  O.B.  Bowen, 
of  the   Chickasahav   Association,  and  who  had  been  a 


1092  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI    BAPTISTS. 

missionan^  and  evangelist  of  the  State  Board  in  the 
counties  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  was  called  ta 
the  pastorate  of  Biloxi,  Handsboro  and  Bay  St.  Louis 
churches,  and  arrived  on  the  field  November  -i,  1880, 
and  was  continued  as  missionary  of  the  State  Board  in 
this  field  of  labor.  The  statistics  show  number  of  bap- 
tisms twenty  ;  total  membership  551.  Amount  contri- 
buted to  missions,  $276.35.  Number  of  Sunday  school 
scholars  and  teachers,  565.  Amount  contributed  to 
missions,  $10.10.  The  appointment  of  M.  C.  Cole  by  the 
State  Mission  Board  of  Mississippi  to  the  work  in  New 
Orleans,  was  made.  Brother  Cole  to  labor  as  pastor 
of  the  First  Church,  which  is  so  weak  numerical^  and 
financialh'  as  to  necessitate  his  appointment  by  the 
board  and  the  supplementing  of  his  salary.  He  enters 
his  work  as  one  w^ho  feels  the  burden  of  souls,  and  we 
ma3^  expect  a  harvest  from  the  great  field  so  white  with 
the  harvest. 

This  meeting  of  the  Association,  which  was  poorly 
attended,  was  a  good  one.  Those  who  were  in  attend- 
ance felt  that  it  was  good  to  be  there.  The  brethren 
were  stimulated  and  encouraged  to  go  forward,  and 
when  the  meeting  adjourned  the\-  returned  to  their 
homes,  determined  that,  with  the  help  of  God,  they 
^vould  endeavor  to  be  more  useful  in  His  service,  and  to 
make  the  attempt  to  redeem  the  dear  Association  from 
the  slough  of  indifference  and  dispondencv  into  which  it 
appeared  to  have  fallen.  On  motion  adjourned  to  meet 
with  Moss  Point  church  on  Friday  before  the  fourth 
Sunday  in  April,  1882,  and  O.  D.  Bowen  to  preach  the 
associational  sermon. 

The  past  associational  year  is  fraught  with  much 
that  is  encoura-ging.  An  advance  movement  has  been 
made  almost  all   alonj?  the  line.     We  will  refer  to  the 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1093 

■work  in  New  Orleans.  After  the  resignation  of  J.  O.  B. 
Lowry,  Sylvanus  Landrum,  D.  D.,  of  Savannah,  Ga., 
w^as  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Coliseum  Place 
<!hurch.  His  salary  to  be  supplemented  by  the  Home 
Board  of  Southern  Baptist  Convention.  This  brother 
of  eminent  piety,  much  experience  and  administrative 
ability',  took  charge  of  the  church  December  1,  IbSl, 
and  began  at  once  to  arouse  his  people  to  the  good 
work;  and  it  appeared  as  if  those  children  of  God  began 
to  lift  up  their  heads,  and  to  wait  expectantly  upon  the 
Lord  and,  without  any  special  revival,  there  has  iDeen 
a  constant  growth  of  interest  in  the  church  during  the 
three  months  following  the  commencement  of  Dr.  Lan- 
drum's  pastorate.  He  was  assisted  about  one  week  of 
the  time  by  the  Purser  brothers.  Up  to  this  meeting  of 
our  Association  seventeen  have  been  baptized.  This 
church,  with  her  faithful  pastor,  is  encouraged  to  go 
forward,  and  we  look  for  still  greater  things  as  the 
fruits  of  her  labor  of  love  in  that  wicked  city. 

Pastor  M.  C.  Cole,  of  the  First  Church,  who  had 
with  his  little  flock  labored  and  praA^ed  for  so  long  a 
time  that  God  would  grant  unto  them  a  revival  from 
His  presence,  has  received  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord 
one  of  the  most  precious  tokens  of  His  divine  favor.  A 
revival,  such  as  has  not  been  witnessed  for  manv  years 
in  that  city,  was  the  first  church's  to  enjoy,  which  has 
given  such  an  impetus  to  our  work  there,  that  the  de- 
nomination at  large  is  greatly  encouraged.  It  is  the 
Lord's  doing  and  it  is  marvelous  in  our  e3'es.  We  give 
Him  the  glor^-,  and  as  the  result  of  the  faithful  preach- 
ing of  the  word,  and  in  answer  to  the  fervent  prayers 
of  God's  people,  we  chronicle  the  number  of  accessions 
to  the  church  as  follows:  number  baptized,  thirtv-five; 
num])er  received  by  letter,  ten  ;  number  restored,  eight; 


1094  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

total,  fifty-three.  Brother  Cole  was  assisted  in  the 
meeting  by  the  brethren  Purser,  who  preached  the 
word  in  xnuch  earnestness  and  the  power  of  the  Spirits 
And  now  last,  but  not  least,  we  notice  with  pleasure 
the  addition  to  the  \vorking  force  in  New  Orleans,  by 
the  coming  or  Airs.  Nelson,  Miss  Montgomery-  and  Miss 
Gardner.  These  "elect  ladies,"'  as  appointees  of  the 
Mississippi  Board  of  State  missions,  are  to  Pastor  Cole 
what  those  sainted  women  were  to  Paul  in  his  labor  in 
the  gospel,  whom  he  would  have  the  brethren  to  help 
and  encourage.  These  missionary'  sisters  are  doing  a 
great  work  in  that  great  city,  going  from  house  to 
house,  and  talking  and  pra^'ing  with  the  mothers  and 
children,  and  on  the  Sabbath  days  they  are  in  the  Sun- 
day' school  teaching  the  children  the  way  to  happiness 
and  heaven.  Let  this  be  told  as  a  memorial  of  them, 
that  they  are  doing  what  they  can  to  lead  the  wander- 
ing ones  to  that  dear  Savior  whom  Mary  anointed  to 
his  burial. 

I.  A.  Hailey  having  arrived  on  the  field,  as  before 
mentioned,  has  held  a  series  of  meetings  at  New  Hope 
church,  on  Bluff  creek,  and  baptized  four  persons  there, 
beside  doing  other  effective  work.  He  has  just  closed  a 
meeting  with  Moss  Point  church,  assisted  by  J.  W. 
Bozeman,  of  Meridian,  which  has  resulted  in  the  reviv- 
ing of  the  church  and  one  or  tw^o  accessions.  O.  D. 
Bowen  has  held  meetings  in  all  the  churches  of  which  he 
is  pastor.  One  at  Handsboro,  in  October  last,  assisted 
bj^  Z.  A.  Owen,  of  Mobile ;  baptized  two.  Another  in 
March,  assisted  by  L.  E.  Hall,  evangelist  of  East  Mis- 
sissippi, in  which  the  church  was  revived  and  three 
more  baptized.  The  churches  of  Bay  St.  Louis  and 
Biloxi  have  not  been  greath'  blessed,  but  we  have  had 
reason  to   rejoice  over  the  baptism  of  two  estimal^le 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1095 

ladies  at  Ba\'  St.  Louis.  Elder  Bowenheld  meetings  at 
Gainesville,  on  Pearl  river,  and  at  Beulah  cliureh  on 
Blnfif  creek,  resulting  in  the  baptism  of  one  person  at  the 
former  and  four  persons  at  the  latter  j^lace,  making 
twelve  baptisms  in  all.  The  number  of  persons  bap- 
tized in  the  Association,  and  by  the  missionaries  of  the 
Association,  who  labor  at  two  or  three  places  outside 
the  Association,  is  about  sixty-nine.  We  have  great 
reason  to  thank  God  and  take  courage. 

The  fifth  annual  session  of  the  Association  met  with 
AIoss  Point  church,  on  Friday,  April  21, 1882,  and  was 
called  to  order  by  O.  D.  Bowen,  the  former  moderator. 
There  were  eight  churches  represented.  The  election  of 
officers  resulted  as  follows:  O.  D.  Bowen,  moderator; 
M.  B.  Richmond,  clerk,  and  J.  T.  Liddle,  treasurer. 
When  the  call  for  petitionary^  letters  was  made,  a  letter 
from  New  Hope  church,  b\'  the  hand  of  Brother  Daniel, 
their  delegate,  was  presented,  asking  for  membership  in 
the  bod}'.  On  motion  the  church  was  received,  and  the 
Association  proceeded  to  business  in  the  regular  order. 
On  motion  corresponding  messengers  and  visiting 
brethren  were  invited  to  seats  in  the  1)ody  ;  whereupon 
the  following  brethren  accepted  the  invitiition  :  Elders 
T.  J.  Walne,  of  the  State  Mission  Board;  B.  H.  Crump- 
ton,  of  the  Baptist  Union,  Mobile,  as  messengers  ;  J,  W. 
Bozeman,  D.  D.,  of  Meridian,  and  Brethren  M.  G.  Hud- 
son, D.  W.  McGaughey,  D.  Dabbs,  C.  Miller,  of  Mobile; 
T.  T.  Houze,  of  Mississippi.  Alinisters  of  the  Associa- 
tion in  attendance:  Elders  S.  Landrum,  D.  D.,  M.  C. 
Cole,  I.  A.  Hailej'-  and  O.  D.  Bowen. 

The  reports  on  the  various  subjects  were  read,  dis- 
cussed and  adopted  ;  all  of  which  showed  most  conclu- 
sively that  we  are  progressing  in  the  good  work.  The 
spirit  which  characterized  the  proceedings  of  this  meet- 


3.096  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

ing  made  it  delightful  to  be  there.  Each  one  might  ex- 
claim :  "  Behold  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for 
brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity."  The  hospitalities 
of  the  good  people  of  Moss  Point  were  abundant.  And 
**  honor  to  wdiom  honor  is  due,"  with  no  intention  to 
slight  anyone,  but  the  untiring  energ^^  which  our 
esteemed  brother,  M.  A.  Dees,  exerted  in  arranging 
everything  for  the  comfort  and  satisfaction  of  delegates 
and  visitors,  secured  to  him  the  thanks  of  all ;  while  the 
pastor,  I.  A.  Hailey,  left  nothing  undone  to  make  his 
brethren  and  sisters  feel  at  home  in  the  Baptist  taber- 
nacle. And  last  but  not  least,  the  thanks  of  the  Asso- 
ciation are  due  our  brother,  M.  B.  Richmond,  for  his 
faithful  and  efficient  services  as  clerk  of  the  bodj^  from 
its  organization  to  the  present  time.  He  is  one  clerk 
Avho  labors  for  the  good  of  Zion  ;  pa\^  or  no  pa}'. 

The.  Association  adjourned  to  meet  with  Hands- 
boro  church,  on  Friday  before  the  fourth  Sunday  in 
April,  1883. 

The  effort  will  be  made  to  connect  the  subsequent 
Tiistory  of  this  bod  v  with  the  clear  historic  sketch  of  the 
iirst  five  3'ears  of  its  existence  from  the  pen  of  O.  D. 
Bowen.  His  plan  of  considering  the  doings  of  the  body 
in  their  order  of  time  will  be  adopted,  and  a  free  and 
easv  statement  of  facts  made. 

The  session  of  1883  was  held  with  the  Handsboro 
church  in  the  month  of  April.  O.  D.  Bowen  was  again 
chosen  moderator,  M,  B.  Richmond,  clerk,  and  J.  T. 
Liddle,  treasurer.  The  Bay  St.  Louis,  Mo3s]Point,  Ocean 
Springs,  and  Scranton  churches  of  Mississippi,  and  the 
Coliseum  Place  and  First  Church  of  New  Orleans  were 
represented  b}^  delegates,  and  the  Biloxi  church  had  at 
that  time  a  total  membership  of  599. 
_  Quite  a  number  of  helpful  visitors  were  with  them'; 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1097 

J.  B.  Gambrell,  and  T.  J.  Walne,  representing  the  gen- 
eral interests  of  our  State  Convention;  S.  C.Johnson, 
of  Alabama ;  G.  S.  Brooks,  representing  the  Little  Mis- 
sionary; and  last  in  mention,  l3ut  not  in  faet,  R.  E.  Mel- 
vin.  These  visitors  were  helpful  in  the  discussions  that 
arose  in  the  body. 

In  the  report  on  Sunday  schools  put  before  the 
bod3',  a  cheerful  spirit  was  manifested  as  to  that  bene- 
volence. The  interest  was  growing.  The  average  at- 
tendance had  increased  nccirly  fifty  per  cent  during  the 
year.  Some  of  the  Sunday  schools  had  a  novel  way  of 
raising  money.  It  was  inaugurated  in  the  school  at 
Moss  Point.  They  had  "  missionary- hen's  nest,"  where 
each  pupil  deposited  an  ag^^fi,  on  entering  the  church  on 
Sunda\'  morning.  The  Moss  Point  school  realized 
$6.00  in  a  month  b_v  the  curious  method. 

The  following  year  there  was  no  change  in  the  offi- 
cers of  the  body.  George  B.  Eager  and  J.  B.  Hamberlin 
added  dignity  and  efficiency  to  the  Ijod}',  and  Miss 
Emma  Gardner,  of  New  Orleans,  graced  their  presence. 
From  the  churches  of  New  Orleans  \vere  such  nolsle 
spirits  as  S.  Landram,  M.  C.  Cole,  and  A.  C.  Crane. 

A.  C.  Crane  was  in  the  colportage  work  in  New 
Orleans.  He  began  his  labors  in  April,  1882,  under  the 
direction  of  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society. 
During  that  associational  3'ear  2,100  copies  of  the  Bil3le 
had  been  sold,  or  donated  to  Sunday  schools  and 
churches.  The  publications,  after  the  Word  of  God, 
that  they  usualh'  recommended  to  the  reading  public 
were  the  Baptist  Record,  Kind  Words,  the  Bible  Union 
of  Mobile,  and  the  Foreign  Mission  Journal. 

The  annual  meeting  of  1885  was  characterized  b_v 
an  enthusiam  as  to  Woman's  Work.  Mrs.  M.J.  Xelson 
and  Miss  Minnie  Alford,  who  were  doing  mission  work 


1098  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

in  New  Orleans,  were  with  them.  Aliss  Minnie  Alford 
was  in  charge  of  the  Valance  Industrial  school.  She 
reported  the  numlier  of  pupils  enrolled  in  her  school  as 
171.  The  sum  ot  $40.45  had  been  raised  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  school.  Airs.  M.  J.  Nelson  began  her  work 
in  CarroUton  in  Fel)ruar3'  before  the  meeting  of  the 
body  in  April.  A  small  Sunda3^  school  had  been  estab- 
lished in  CarroUton.  The  two  industrial  schools  under 
her  charge  had  an  average  attendance  of  150  until  Jan- 
uary, 1885  ;  after  that  time,  bad  weather  had  ill  eifect 
upon  the  attendance. 

The  relation  of  the  work  of  Baptists  on  the  Coast 
to  Catholicism  was  not  only  deemed  worthy'  of  mention, 
but  a  committee  was  appointed  in  1886  to  report  to 
the  Association  on  the  subject.  Catholics  were  very 
numerous  in  New  Orleans,  and  prevailed  largeU^  all 
along  the  Coast.  But  about  all  the  relation  the  com- 
mittee could  hnd  Ijctween  them  and  Baptists  was  that 
xhey  each  believed  in  the  inspiration  of  the  Bible,  the 
Trinity,  the  Fall  of  Man,  the  Need  of  a  Savior,  and  the 
Immortality  of  the  Soul.  In  many  things  they  were 
almost  opposites.  Yet  Catholics  had  to  be  met,  and 
influenced  for  good.  Their  ingathering  from  protes- 
tant  families  had  to  be  decreased,  and  as  many  of  them 
as  possible  brought  to  see  the  way  of  the  Lord  more 
perfectly. 

Their  report  on  Woman's  Work  that  year  Ijrought 
to  observation  the  fact  that  their  women  had  contri- 
buted about  one-third  of  their  donation  to  Foreign 
missions.  They  were  expecting  much  of  their  industrial 
schools  of  New  Orleans.  Mrs.  Nelson's  work  was 
spoken  of  far  and  near,  and  was  creating  much  enthus- 
iasm in  the  missions  in  New  Orleans. 

New  Hope  and  Ba3'-  St.  Louis  churches  did   not  re- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1099 

port  Sunday  schools;  yet  they  had  as  many  Sunday 
schools  as  churches.  One  was  reported  b}^  the  Carroll- 
ton  mission,  and  one  In-  the  Locust  Street  Tabernacle. 
The  reported  attendance  at  Sunday  schools  was  564? 
against  a  membership  of  the  churches  of  636.  This 
ratio  is  seldom  reached  in  our  associations. 

Woman's  Work  retained  its  interest  in  the  follow- 
ing year.  State  missions  was  full  of  interest.  O.  D. 
Bo  wen  in  his  report  on  the  subject  said,  "It  behooves 
us  to  consider  our  duty  as  it  relates  to  our  obligation 
to  the  board,  which  has  been  to  the  churches  of  our  sea 
coast  a  helper  in  every  time  of  need.'' 

Ringing  resolutions  were  passed  on  the  cause  of 
temperance.  The  churches  were  requested  to  enforce  the 
teachings  and  practices  of  temperance,  and,  if  necessary 
to  exercise  the  right  of  discipline  with  inembers  who  in- 
dulged in  the  use  of  ixtoxicants,  signed  whisk\'  peti- 
tions, or  advocated  the  sale  of  ardent  spirits. 

In  1885,  O.  D.  Bo  wen  was  re-elected  moderator, 
which  position  he  occupied  year  b^' ^-ear,  until  1891, 
when  J.J.  W.  Alathis  was  elected  to  preside  over  the 
iDody.  In  1885,  W.  R.  Washington  was  elected  clerk. 
He  was  retained  in  this  position  through  the  session  of 
1891. 

In  1888,  upon  petitition,  the  Fairmount  church  was 
received  into  the  union,  and  its  delegates  welcomed  to 
seats  in  the  bod^'. 

About  this  time,  the  Association  was  exercised  as 
to  female  representation  in  the  body.  This  resolution 
was  adopted. 

"A'eso/ref/,  That  this  Association  construes  the  con- 
stitution as  meaning  that  mcj/e  members  of  our  churches 
are  entitled  to  seats  as  delegates  to  the  Association." 
The  following  year  the  question  arose  again.    A  resolu- 


1100  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

tion  to  seat  female  members  was  introduced.  The  chair 
decided  that  the  effect  of  its  adoption  would  be  to 
change  article  2  of  their  constitution.  From  this  de- 
cision an  appeal  was  taken,  but  the  moderator  was 
sustained  bj'  the  bod3\  Then  a  motion  was  made  that 
it  was  the  .sense  of  the  Association  that  according  to 
the  constitution,  the  churches  could  send  female  mem- 
bers as  delegates  to  the  bod\'.  The  motion  was  lost. 
Some  people  think  women  are  like  fire,  good  and  useful 
when  circumscribed,  but  dangerous  at  large. 

In  1889,  the  connection  of  the  Coast  mission  with 
the  inauguration  of  the  Cuban  mission  was  made  a 
matter  of  great  concern.  A  committee  ot  five  (5)  of 
their  best  men  was  appointed  to  report  on  the  subject. 
Fifteen  years  before  a  famiW  by  the  name  of  Fales,  from 
the  interior  of  Cuba,  came  to  Biloxi,  The  mother  and 
one  daughter  joined  the  Baptist  church  in  Biloxi.  An- 
other daughter  was  deemed  too  young  by  her  brother 
to  join  the  church,  being  only  seven  years  of  age.  She 
carried  her  testament  aud  Sunda3^  school  papers*with 
her  to  Cuba.  After  residing  seven  years  in  Cuba,  they 
moved  to  Ke\'  West,  Fla.  There  the  girl  was  baptized 
in  1884  b3^  a  Baptist  preacher  named  Wood.  Through 
her  Mr.  Wood  learned  of  Mr.  Diaz  of  Cuba,  and  opened 
correspondence  with  him,  and  thus  the  mission  work 
began  in  Cuba. 

Reports  were  annualh'  received  from  the  female 
inissionaries  in  New  Orleans,  showing  their  work  and 
the  number  of  pupils  enrolled  in  their  industrial  schools. 
These  schools  were  presided  over  by  Mrs.  AI.  J.  Nelson 
and  Miss  Alattie  Cole. 

In  1890,  the  Association  convened  with  the  Moss 
Point  church  in  the  month  of  May.  The  body  has,  to 
the  present  time,  held  its  annual  meeting,  early  in  the 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1101 

year.  The  year  1890  seemed  an  off  year  with  them. 
Their  proceedings  were  short.  Onh^  two  reports  were 
pubHshed  in  their  minutes,  on  State  missions  and  ])ub- 
lications.  These  reports  were  quite  short,  and  devoid 
of  interest. 

The  following  year  (1891)  they  met  at  Handsboro. 
There  were  onl3^  tour  ordained  ministers  in  the  frater- 
nity-, J  J.  W.  Mathis,  John  WilHams,  B.  W.  Busse^-,  and 
M.  C.  Cole.  L.  M.  Stone,  of  Shuqualak  College,  was  a 
prominent  visitor.  There  were  ten  churches  in  the 
union  with  an  aggregate  membership  of  877.  There 
were  prosperous  Sunday  schools  in  nearly  all  their 
churches.  Their  total  contributions  that  3'ear  amounted 
to  the  neat  sum  of  $2,174.87.  The  body,  though  small, 
and  largely  dependent  tipon  outside  aid,  was  in  fine 
working  condition,  and  the  churches  had  the  pastoral 
care  of  progressive,  pious  men. 

The  sixteenth  annual  session  of  the  body  was  held 
with  the  church  at  Biloxi.  J.  J.  W.  Mathis  was  chosen 
moderator,  and  W.  R.  Washington,  clerk.  Their  or- 
dained ministers  were  B.  W.  Busse^^  J.  O.  Green,  J.  J. 
W.  Mathis,  John  F.  Purser,  and  E.  L.  Vaughan.  The 
usual  reports  were  adopted. 

In  1884,  the\^  met  with  the  Moss  Point  church.  F. 
R.  Mood}'  was  chosen  moderator,  and  W.  R.  Washing- 
ton, clerk.  There  were  then  eleven  churches  in  the  fra- 
ternity. The  First  Church  of  New  Orleans  was  granted 
a  letter  of  dismission.  The  churches  had  an  aggregate 
of  730  members.  Their  total  contributions  for  the 
year  amounted  to  $5,898.27.  The  amount  of  $92.00 
was  pledged  to  the  Students'  Fund  of  the  Southern  Bap- 
tist Theological  Seminary  to  the  credit  of  J.  F.  Tull, 
then  a  student  in  the  Seminary.  The  Long  Beach. 
church  was  received  into  the  union. 


1102  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

MAGEES  CREEK  ASSOCIATION. 

In  the  first  clay's  proceedings  of  the  Bogue  Chitto 
Association  of  1880,  the  fact  is  recorded  that  letters  of 
dismission  were  granted  to  the  following  churches : 
Union,  Ha^^s  Creek,  New  Zion,  Bogue  Chitto,  La.,  and 
Zion  Grove.  On  November  the  13th  of  that  ^^ear,  rep- 
resentatives of  the  first  four  of  these  churches  met  with 
the  New  Zion  church  "pursuant  to  agreement.'"  An 
introductory  sermon  was  preached  by  J.  E.  Pound  from 
1  Cor.  3:11.  W.J.  Fortenbenw,  the  nest  or  of  the  bod^-, 
was  called  to  the  chair  to  preside  as  temporary  chair- 
man. The  letters  of  dismission  from  the  Bogue  Chitto 
were  read,  and  the  four  churches.  Union,  New  Zion, 
Hays  Creek  and  Bogue  Chitto  formed  the  Magees  Creek 
Association.  J.  E.  Pound,  as  chairman  of  a  committee 
on  articles  of  faith,  etc.,  oifered  the  articles  of  faith  and 
the  requirements  and  regulations  of  the  Pearl  River, 
which  were  unanimously  adopted. 

The  Association  thus  constituted  assumed  the  name 
of  Magees  Creek.  Magees  Creek  runs  southward 
through  the  eastern  part  of  Pike  county,  traversing 
the  entire  length  of  the  county,  and  eniptj-ing  into  the 
Bogue  Chitto  river.  Two  of  these  churches  were  along 
that  water  course.  This,  in  all  probabilitj^  was  the 
reason  the  Association  was  called  the  JMagees  Creek. 
The  churches  in  Louisiana,  east  of  the  Mississippi  river 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1103 

usually  left  such  things  to  the  churches  of  Mississippi. 
Their  co-operation  with  our  churches  was  only  a  con- 
venience until  they  themselves  could  get  readj'-  lor 
housekeeping. 

The  Association,  as  it  was  evident,  was  a  great- 
grand-child  of  the  old  Alississippi  Association.  The 
Magees  Creek  c^me  of  the  Bogue  Chitto,  the  Bogue 
Chitto  of  the  Pearl  River,  and  the  Pearl  River  of  the 
Mississippi.  Ma}'  the  genealogical  table  keep  growing 
in  length. 

One  of  these  four  churches  was  historic.  In  what 
has  been  written  on  the  Bogue  Chitto,  it  appears  that 
in  1874,  the  name  of  the  Half  Moon  Bluff  church  w^as 
changed  to  Ha3's  Creek.  This  church  entered  the  Mis- 
sissippi Association  in  1811,  went  into  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Pearl  River  in  1820,  and  into  the  constitution 
of  the  Bogue  Chitto  in  1870,  and  was  one  of  the  con- 
stituent churches  of  the  Magees  Creek  in  1880.  It 
must  have  been  for  a  number  of  years  in  an  association 
in  Louisiana.  And  A-et  with  all  this  brilliant  historic 
setting,  it  went  into  the  Magees  Creek  with  thirtj^- 
eight  as  a  total  meml3ership,  and  in  1890  had  but  for- 
ty-three members.  The  postoffice  of  two  of  these 
churches  was  at  Tylertown,  which  is  in  Pike  county, 
on  Magees  Creek;  the  postoffice  of  Hays  Creek  was  at 
Franklington,  La.,  and  ot  Bogue  Chitto  at  Osj^ka, 
Mississippi. 

Willis  J.  Fortenl3err\'  was  elected  moderator,  AI.  J. 
Pittman  clerk,  and  X.  Graves  treasurer.  The}-  were 
elected  to  fill  these  positions  respectively  through  the 
decade  to  1890,  how  long  after  that  date  ma}-  appear 
later.  Willis  J.  Fortenberrj'-  is  a  representative  of  a 
large  family  in  south  Mississippi.  It  was  once  the 
privilege  and   pleasure   ot  the  writer  to   spend  a  few 


1104  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

da3'S  at  Silver  Spring  in  Pike  county,  where  he  found 
the  Fortinberrys  very  numerous.  They  are  a  good 
people,  usually  active  in  church  v^ork  and  correct  citi- 
zens. Willis  J.  Fortenberry  was  appointed  to  preach 
the  next  introductory  sermon. 

On  the  Sunday'  included  in  the  session  of  the  union, 
W.  J.  Fortenberry  preached  at  11  a.  m.,  but  the  weather 
was  so  inclement  that  the  afternoon  worship  was 
dispensed  with.  As  the  usual  order  was  not  pursued, 
the  collection  for  missions  was  not  taken  until  Monday. 
It  amounted  to  $7.75.  This  contribution  was  in- 
itiative. The  four  churches  composing  the  bod3'  were 
small  country  churches,  having  a  total  membership  of 
only  393.  Their  missionary  zeal  was  attested  by  their 
unwillingness  to  close  the  session  without  a  collection 
for  missions.  Though  the  amount  may  appear  small, 
the  act  was  verj^  praiseworthy. 

Before  the  body  adjourned  its  first  session,  two  fine 
resolutions  were  adopted,  viz: 

''Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  four  be  appointed, 
one  from  each  church  of  this  Association,  on  Sunday 
schools,  to  urge  the  importance  of  Sunday  schools  in 
their  respective  churches  and  to  report  at  the  next 
meeting  of  this  body,  and 

''Resolved,  That  this  Association  form  itself  into  a 
Home  Mission  body,  and  that  the  delegates  of  this  As- 
sociation be  requested  to  lay  the  matter  before  their 
respective  churches  for  the  purpose  of  raising  funds  to 
be  sent  to  this  Association  at  its  next  meeting."' 

There  are  two  things  about  these  resolutions  that 
may  be  said.  One  is,  that  it  is  said  Baptists  are  much 
given  to  passing  resolutions.  While  this  charge  may 
be  true,  yet  such  men  as  Fortenberry-  and  Pound  would 
not  keep  silent,  if  resolutions  were  offered,  in   which 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1105 

thev  did  not  believe.     The  other  fact  referred  to,  is  thjit 
the  Association  resolved  itself  into  a  "  Home  mission, 
body."    This  seems  somewhat  contracted.     It  sounds 
like  a  limitation  of  missionary  activities. 

In  the  3'ear  1881,  there  was  a  hegira  from  the 
Bogue  Chitto  to  the  Magees  Creek.  There  must  have 
been  some  potent  underlying  cause  for  this  unusual' 
occurrence.  The  Magees  Creek  that  year  received  nine 
churches,  seven  of  which  were  from  the  Bogue  Chitto. 
The  nine  churches  received  w^ere :  Mt.  Nebo,  State  Line, 
Beulah,  Sharon,  Pleasant  Hill,  Zion  Hill,  Terry's  Creek, 
Line  Creek  and  Spring  Creek.  On  Sunda\'  a  collection 
was  taken  for  Home  missions,  amounting  to  $26.35. 

Wm.  H.  Schilling  was  appointed  missionary  of  the- 
Association  at  a  salary-  of  $2.00  a  da}^  for  the  time 
given  to  the  Avork.  It  appears  in  the  histor3^  of  all  our 
associations  that  the  work  of  associational  missions 
was  desultory.  It  was  usually  either  impossible  to  get 
a  good  preacher  to  travel  all  the  year,  or  the  Associa- 
tion could  not  command  the  means  necessary  for  the 
support  of  a  missionar3^  The  delegates  of  this  Asso- 
ciation were  again  requested  to  press  missionary  col- 
lections in  their  churches  immediately  and  to  forward 
the  mone^'  collected  to  the  treasurer  of  the  union. 

The  following  year  the  Franklinton  church  was 
received  into  the  Association,  which  gave  it  the 
strength  of  fourteen  (14)  churches.  Correspondence 
was  received  from  the  West  Pearl,  the  Bogue  Chitto, 
and  the  Pearl  River.  Esco.  Schilling  usually  went  as  a 
messenger  from  the  Bogue  Chitto  to  the  Magees  Creek. 
The  historian  once  had  the  pleasure  of  dining  with  hint 
at  his  home  in  Pike  count^^  He  is  a  man  of  good  per- 
sonal presentation,  cheerful,  happy  and  useful,  and,, 
with  all,  a  very  successful  preacher. 


1106  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

W.  H.  Schilling  was  again  appointed  missionary, 
but  this  appointment  was  as  a  missionar3^  to  West 
F'eliciana  Parish.  One  is  inclined  to  contest  the  accur- 
acy of  the  record,  as  West  Feliciana  parish  is  thirty-five 
miles  west  of  the  western  limit  of  the  territorj^  of  the 
Association,  and  beyond  the  parishes  of  Tangi'paho, 
Saint  Helena  and  East  Feliciana.  But  the  record  must 
be  accepted  as  true.  At  this  meeting  a  committee  was 
appointed  on  Relief.  This  Avas  highl\^  commendable. 
But  the  Association  is  solitary  in  this  action.  Care  for 
the  needy  and  destitute  is  highly  scriptural.  Every 
association  should  have  a  committee  on  relief.  But 
this  action  of  the  Magees  Creek,  so  far  as  is  known, 
is  exceptional. 

In  1883,  four  more  churches  came  into  the  Magees 
Creek,  Symrna,  Mt.  Olive,  Silver  Springs,  and  Mt.  Pis- 
gah.  With  these  four  additions  the  Association  had 
eighteen  churches  with  a  total  membership  of  1,393. 
A  cash  collection  for  Home  missions  was  taken  at  this 
session  of  $21.05.  They  were  in  correspondence  with 
the  Pearl  River,  the  West  Pearl,  Bogue  Chitto,  and 
Eastern  Louisiana.  A  committee  of  five  was  appointed 
on  Sunday  schools,  and  William  H  Schilling  again  ap- 
pointed missionary,  but  to  labor  within  the  bounds  of 
the  Association.  The  total  amount  on  hand  for  Home 
missions  was  $124. 15,  which  was  a  splendid  sum  with 
which  to  begin  the  missionar3^  work  of  the  associa- 
tional  year.  Five  Sunday  schools  had  been  organized 
bx'  the  Committee  on  Sunda}-  schools,  two  of  them 
were  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

The  next  year  the  New  Hope  church  was  received 
into  the  Magees  Creek.  In  that  year,  J.  G.  Chastian 
appeared  in  this  Association.  After  the  morning  ser- 
vices on  Sundav  a  cash  collection  of  $12.70  was  taken 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1107 

for  their  Association  work.  A  committee  of  three  in 
each  church  was  appointed  in  the  interest  of  missions 
to  take  collections  for  this  object  and  forward  amounts 
to  their  treasurer.  They  seemed  determined  to  use 
their  utmost  dilligence  in  forwarding  associational  mis- 
sions. Their  missionary,  elder,  W.  H.  Schilling,  (they 
made  few  changes  anywhere)  reported  37  days  ol  ser- 
vice, 9  baptisms,  one  restored,  26  sermons  preached, 
and  659  miles  traveled.  It  was  recommended  that  each 
church  have  a  committee  of  three  on  "  relief "  for  the 
purpose  of  sustaining  their  poor. 

One  is  impressed,  on  looking'  over  the  Journals  oi 
this  Association,  withjthe  length v  reports  on  obituanies, 
and  the  absence  of  any  utterances  as  to  the  needs  of  the 
Foreign  field  of  missionary  work.  The  body  appears 
■highly  conservative  to  one  who  looks  through  their 
records  with  an  eye,  curious  as  to  the  compliance  with  the 
demands  of  the  great  commission.  A  committee  of  five 
was  appointed  to  confer  with  the  Bogue  Chitto,  with 
reference  to  employing  a  missionary  to  labor  in  the 
bounds  of  the  Magees  Creek  and  on  its  borders.  The 
proposition  seemed  to  have  a  prospective  in  direction 
only. 

In  18.S5,  the  Corinth  church  was  received  into  the 
body  on  petitionary  letter.  The  rapidity  of  the  numeri- 
cal growth  of  the  body  has  been  remarkable,  and 
worthy  of  favorable  comment.  A  change  was  made 
that  year  in  their  missionary  operations.  J.  B.  Pound 
was  elected  missionary  to  be  jjaid  $2.00  a  da^'  for  the 
time  given  to  the  work,  and  pastors  were  urged  to 
preach  on  missions.  A  k'ligth^'  report  was  adopted  on 
temperance,  in  which  it  was  said  that  it  would  be  im- 
possible for  them,  as  an  association,  to  aid  in  jirohiljit- 
ing  the  sale  and  use  of  intoxiccints,  while  their  meml)ers 


1108  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

drank  such  stimulants.  It  was  deemed  right  that  church 
members  aiding,  abetting  the  business  and  using  alco- 
hoHc  beverages  should  be  disciplined  and  expelled. 

The  following  year  the  union  met  with  the  Line 
Creek  church  in  Tangipahoa  parish,  La.  The  Ervins 
Creek  church  received  on  Sunday  a  collection  taken 
for  Home  missions  of  $23.65.  The  proceeding  of  the 
body  ran  in  the  line  pursued  the  year  before.  The  year 
after  Monroe's  church  w^as  admitted  into  the  union. 
Eleven  churches  reported  Sunda^^  schools.  Seventeen 
deaths  were  reported  as  having  distressed  the  churches 
during  the  associational  year. 

In  1889,  there  were  20  churches  in  the  organization 
Avith  a  total  membership  of  1,668.  Eighty-three  bap- 
tisms w-ere  reported,  52  had  been  received  by  letter  and 
22  restored  to  fellowship  in  the  churches.  Correspond- 
ence was  received  from  the  Bogue  Chitto,  and  the  Pearl 
River.  Committees  were  appointed  on  Abstracts,  Sun- 
day Schools,  Temperance,  Religious  Publications  and 
Preaching.  As  usual  the  Record  was  commended  as  a 
religious  newspaper.  The  recommendations  made  the 
year  before  as  to  their  missionary  w^ork  v^ere  reiter- 
ated. 

The  Association  was  characterized  b}-  an  intense 
zeal  for  missions  in  its  bounds.  Their  zeal  in  that  cause 
was  highly  commendable  and  worthv  of  emulation. 
The  numerical  growth  of  the  body  was  remarkable. 
The  number  of  sermons  preached  during  the  sittings  of 
the  Association  attract  attention  and  is  worthy  of 
favorable  comment.  Just  why  no  report  was  made  on 
Foreign  missions  and  no  resolutions  adopted  on  the 
subject,  is  left  to  conjecture.  The  bod}^  in  those  days 
had  many  men  in  it  of  sterling  worth  and  of  Chistian 
fortitude.    The  history  of  the  Magees  Creek  is  replete 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS,  1109 

with  interest  for  one  who  has  an  tye  curious  as  to  his- 
torical events. 

RED    CKP:EK    ASSOCIATION. 

This  Association  was  constituted  in  1880  of 
churches  that  had  held  fellowship  with  the  churches  of 
the  Hobolochitto  Association.  The  churches  that  went 
nto  the  organization  of  the  Red  Creek  Association 
were  in  the  counties  of  Harrison,  Hancock,  Perry  and 
Marion.  The  churches  were  Black  Creek,  Canceling 
Hill,  Oak  Grove,  Red  Creek  Union,  Sand  Hill,  Ten  Mile, 
and  Morris  Hill  of  Harrison  county,  and  Juniper  Grove 
of  Hancock,  and  Little  Black  Creek  of  Perry,  Alt.  Zion 
and  Spring  Hill  of  Marion. 

The  organization  of  the  Red  Creek  Association  left 
the  Hol3olochitto  weak  in  churches  and  numbers,  but 
hopeful  and  progressive.  The  new  organization  had  a 
large  field  of  usefulness.  The  strongest  church  in  the 
new  body  was  the  Juniper  Grove,  w^hich  had  120  mem- 
bers. It  remained  in  the  Association  onh'  a  short  time. 
No  one  of  the  other  ten  churches  had  an  enrollment  of 
sixt\'  members.  The  only  ordained  minister  whose 
name  appears  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Hobolochitto  Asso- 
ciation in  1880,  and  the  Minutes  of  the  Red  Creek  As- 
sociation in  1901,  is  Abner  Walker.  He  was  moder- 
ator of  the  body  in  the  session  of  1901. 

Little  information  can  be  gotten  as  to  the  first 
seven  years  of  the  history-  of  this  bod}'.  Like  manv 
other  associations  in  our  State,  the  Association  had  in 
it  few  lovers  of  history.  Their  Minutes  were  regarded 
us  valuable  only  for  the  information  they  gave  as  to 
what  was  done  at  a  single  annual  gathering. 

The  session  of  1887  was  held  with  the  Oak  Grove 
church,   Harrison  countv.     The  introductorv  sermon 


1110  HISTOKV     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

was  preached  Ijy  Hue  Graham  on  "  The  Settin<j:  Up  of 
the  Kingdom.''  J.  P.Johnson  was  chosen  moderator, 
and  E.  B.  Cox,  clerk. 

There  were  at  that  time  twenty-two  churches  in 
the  organization.  The  number  of  churches  had  doubled 
in  seven  years.  The  churches  that  had  been  received 
were :  Pine  Ridge,  Paramount,  Purvis,  Antioch  of  Har- 
rison, Beulah,  Antioch  of  Jackson,  Midway,  Cypress 
Creek,  Ebenezer,  Mognolia,  Bethel,  Rocky  Hill,  Oral, 
New  Hope  and  Rock^^  Branch.  The  following  names 
of  churches  that  went  into  the  organization  are  not  in 
the  list  of  1S87,  Black  Creek,  Canceling  Hill,  Juniper 
Grove  and  Spring  Hill. 

The  ordained  ministers  in  the  bod}^  in  1887  were: 
Hue  Graham,  B.  H.  Martin,  J.  P.  Johnson,  Thomas 
Dossett,  FeHx  Daughdrill,  G.  W.  Byrd,  W.  J.  Walker, 
John  Williams  and  I.  Anderson. 

The  report  on  the  State  of  Religion  was  cheerful. 
Some  of  the  churches  had  enjoyed  great  revivals.  The 
churches  had  received  during  the  associational  3^ear  by 
baptism  138  members,  and  b\'  letter  70.  The  total 
membership  of  the  churches  was  1,042.  Only  four 
Sunday  schools  were  reported  with  a  total  number  of 
pupils  of  102,  and  eleven  teachers. 

The  Association  had  an  executive  board,  consisting 
of  I.  Anderson,  W.J.  Walker,  G.W.  Byid,  FeUx  Daugh- 
drill  and  Thomas  Dossett,  but  no  report  was  printed 
in  the  Minutes,  of  the  work  done  by  them.  The  treas- 
urer's report  showed  $53.70  contributed  to  missions, 
and  it  appears  that  $36.00  was  paid  to  J.  P.  Merritt. 

The  session  of  1888  was  held  with  the  Purvis 
church,  beginning  on  Saturday  before  the  third  Lord's 
day  in  October. 

In  1890,  there  were  seventeen  churches  in  the  union 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     HAPTISTS.  1111 

with  a  total  membership  of  664.  The  decrease  of  num- 
bers was  caused  by  the  organization  of  the  Bethel  As- 
sociation. Only  forty  members  had  been  received  into 
the  churches  by  baptism  that  associational  \'ear.  Two 
Sunday  schools  were  reported  with  a  total  enrollment 
of  55.  Abner  Walker  was  moderator,  E.  B.  Cox,  clerk, 
and  Jesse  Breland,  treasurer.  The  meeting  was  held 
with  the  Antioch  church,  Harrison  countv.  The  Xew 
Prospect  church  was  that  year  received  by  letter. 

The  report  on  Publications  recommended  the  Mis- 
sissippi Baptist  and  the  Southern  Baptist  Record,  but 
no  preference  was  manifested  between  the  two  beyond 
the  fact  that  the  Mississippi  Baptist  was  named  first. 

The  Executive  Boards  of  the  Red  Creek  and  Bethel 
associations  had  been  woVking-  conjointly.  They  had 
aided  through  the  year  Big  Black  Creek  and  Big  Ridge. 
They  received  for  their  associational  work  the  sum  of 
$29.85.  It  was  recommended  that  the  work  be  con- 
tinued. A.  Walker,  G.  W.  Byrd  and  William  Creel  had 
labored  as  missionaries  in  their  bounds. 

The  session  of  1S91  was  to  meet  at  Ten  Mile  church, 
beginning  Saturday  before  the  third  Sunday  inOctoljer. 
W.  J.  Walker  was  to  preach  the  introductory  sermon, 
with  Wm.  Creel  as  alternate. 

The  thirteenth  annual  session  was  held  with  the 
Rocky  Hill  church,  I'erry  county,  beginning  September 
24,  1892.  J.  P.  Johnson  was  moderator,  Jesse  Breland 
treasurer,  and  E.  B.  Cox,  clerk.  Twent^^-four  churches 
were  in  the  union  with  an  aggregate  membership  of 
980.  The  pastors  of  the  churches  were  J.  P.  Johnson, 
W.  B.  Holcomb,  F.  Daughdrill,  J.  R.  Whittington,  G.W. 
Byrd,  A.J.  Fry,  A.  Walker,   R.  N.  Davis,   and  F.  Price. 

On  the  third  daA'  of  the  session  the  following  reso- 
lution was  adopted : 


1112  TnSTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

^'Resolved,  That  we  continue  our  committee  of  one 
from  each  church  in  our  bounds  to  take  up  a  quarterly 
collection  for  mission  purposes,  said  fund  to  be  sent  to 
the  Executive  Board,  or  carried  to  the  Association  at 
each  annual  session  to  aid  in,  Home  and  Foreign  mis- 
sions.'" The  wish  was  expressed  that  each  member  of 
each  church  would  give  one  dollar  for  missions  during 
the  coming  year. 

The  Red  Creek  Association  was,  in  1892,  in  thor- 
ough co-operation  with  the  General  Association  of 
Southeast  Mississippi.  Abner  Walker  and  G.  W.  Byrd 
rode  as  missiontiries  in  the  bounds  of  the  Red  Creek. 
•  Abner  Walker  received  the  sum  of  $56.83  for  his  ser- 
vices, and  G.  W.  Byrd  $26.37.  During  the  associa- 
tional  year  they  contribute^!  to  Charlie  Thomas,  a 
Choctaw  Indian  laboring  with  the  Choctaw  Indians  in 
the  State,  the  amount  of  $103.30.  The  General  Asso- 
^ciation  has  done  a  good  work  for  the  Indians  of  our 
State. 

The  Gulf  and  Ship  Island  Railroad  has  passed 
through  the  territory  of  the  Red  Creek  Association, 
along  which  has  been  organized  some  strong  and  active 
churches,  now  in  co-operation  with  the  State  Conven- 
tion, but  the  Red  Creek  still  is  strong  in  churches  and 
members.  Abner  Walker  is  moderator  of  the  body  and 
E.  B.  Cox  is  still  clerk. 

The  Association  has  in  it  at  present  twenty-three 
churches  which  have  an  aggregate  membership  of  1,235. 
The  churches  in  1900-1  received  by  baptism  141  mem- 
bers. 

The  Association  has  annually  received  a  report  on 
Education,  but  no  educational  institution  has  been 
recommended  cis  especially  worthj?^  of  patronage.  Their 
reports  on  missions  have  been  brief  but  pointed.     They 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1113 

have  received  ^ood  reports  on  temperance  which  have 
been  of  no  uncertain  sound.  Being  in  co-operation  with 
the  General  Association,  they  have  given  the  preference 
to  the  Mississippi  Baptist,  published  at  Xewton  by 
N.  L.  Clark,  who  is  a  good  and  great  man. 


1114  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

OKTIBBEHA   ASSOCIATION. 

Letters  have  been  written  repeatedly  to  ministers  of 
this  bodj'  for  information  as  to  its  existence  and  work- 
ing, but  the  efforts  have  been  unrewarded.  As  the  body  is 
in  the  interior,  it  has-not  been  practicable  to  the  writer 
to  go  into  its  territory  to  get  the  needed  information 
to  do  them  justice  in  this  written  history  of  Mississippi 
Baptists. 

From  a  single  copy  of  the  Minutes  of  their  proceed- 
ings, we  learn  that  the  session  of  1887  was  their  eighth 
annual  gathering.  The  body  Avas,  therefore,  consti- 
tuted in  1878  or  1879.  The  churches  composing  the 
institution  were,  in  1887,  in  the  counties  of  Neshoba, 
Lauderdale,  Kemper,  and  Newton.  Nine  churches  were 
in  NesholDa,  Antioch,  Herbert,  Pine  Grove,  Bethel,  Lin- 
den, Bethsaida,  Center  Hill,  Philadelphia,  and  Good 
Hope.  The  four  churches  in  Lauderdale  county-  were, 
Fellowship,  Friendship,  Macedonia,  and  Arkadelphia. 
Two  churches  were  in  Newton  county,  Mt.  Nebo,  and 
Pleasant  Grove ;  and  seven  churches  were  in  Kemper 
county,  viz:  Pine  Grove,  West  Kemper,  Liberty,  Mt, 
Herman,  Zion,  Bluff  Springs,  and  Unity  Springs.  These 
twenty-two  churches  had,  at  that  time,  a  total  mem- 
bership of  929. 

The  pastors  of  the  churches,  in  1887,  were  I.  F. 
Gunn,  G.  W.  Breland,  A.  Winstead,  L.  B.  Fancher,  J.  J. 
Ingraham,  E.  S.  Stephens,  T.  I.  Wells,  J.  T.  Graham,  R. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1115 

Duncan,  R.  A.  Breckenridge,  ].  \l.  AIcAlistcr,  and  H.  O. 
White. 

The  Association  had  two  missionary  stations,  in 
1887,  Philadelphia,  and  Balkman  school  house.  Their 
missionaries  were,  L.  B,  Fancher,  and  R.  Duncan. 
Commendable  interest  was  taken  in  Indian  missions  by 
the  bodv. 


JL116  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS, 


CHAPTER  XL. 

TOMBIGBEE  ASSOCIATIOX. 

The  Tombigbee  Association  was  constituted  No- 
vember 30,  1883,  It  was  composed  of  15  churches, 
"which  had  an  aggregate  membership  of  643.  These 
churches  were  nearly  all  in  Itawamba  county,  one  of 
them  a  church  just  over  the  State  line  in  Alabama.  The 
names  of  the  churches  going  into  the  organization  of 
the  bod}'  were,  Bethan^^  Mt.  Pisgah,  Mt.  Zion,  Mt. 
Moriah,  Providence,  Hopewell,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Antioch, 
Bethel,  Ebenezer,  Highland,  New  Bethlehem,  Salem,  and 
Jackson's  Camp,  in  Mississippi,  and  Union  church,  in 
Alabama.  The  constituting  convention  met  with  the 
Bethany  church. 

The  leading  men  in  the  constitution  of  the  Associa- 
tion were,  St.  Clair  Lawrence,  J.  F.  Benson,  R.  M. 
Perry,  W.  W.  Gilbert,  and  Wm.  M.  Chaffin.  The  terri- 
tory of  the  Association  is  mountainous.  The  hills  are  ex- 
ceedingly precipitous,  and  the  country  more  nearh'  a 
mountain  region  than  any  other  part  of  Mississippi. 
The  habits  of  the  people  are  simple  and  frugal,  and,  as 
a  rule,  their  education  limited.  Some  parts  of  their  ter- 
ritory^ are  35  or  40  miles  from  any  railroad.  It  is  said 
that  there  are  but  about  300  negroes  in  Itawamba 
count  \\ 

In  the  constituting  convention  James  F.  Benson 
was  chosen  president,  and  Wm  M.  Chaffin,  secretary. 
The  Constituition,   Abstracts   of  Faith,   and  Rules   of 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1117 

Order  being  adopted,  the  Association  was  permanently 
organized  by  the  election  of  James  F.  Benson  as  moder- 
ator, and  Wm.  M.  Chaffin  as  clerk. 

The  Executive  Board  consisted  of  L.  B.  Looney, 
John  McRae,  Wm.  M.  Chaffin,  R.  T.  Lee,  R.  Ah-erson, 
R.  C.  Burns,  and  H.  H.  Sisk.  This  board  was  organ- 
ized December  1,  1883,  by  the  election  of  L.  B.  Looney 
as  president,  and  Wm.  M.  Chaffin,  secretary. 

The  session  of  1884'  was  held  with  the  Highland 
church,  and  the  session  of  '85  with  the  Providence 
churceh.  The  officers  elected  at  the  first  session  of  the 
bod3^  were  re-elected  annualh'  until  1892  inclusive. 
About  that  time,  or  a  \^ear  later,  Wm.  M.  Chaffin  was 
chosen  moderator,  w^hich  position  he  held  to  the  close 
of  the  century.  Frank  M.  Blunt  was  clerk  in  1894,  and 
was  repeatedlj^  elected  to  fill  that  office  through  the 
session  of  1901. 

In  1884,  the  Fulton,  Union  Grove  and  Red  Bud 
churches  were  received  into  the  institution,  and  in 
1885,  the  Mt.  Olive  and  Poplar  Springs  churches.  The 
Hopewell  church  dissolved  in  December  1885,  and  gave 
letters  of  dismission  to  its  members. 

In  1885,  the  Executive  Board  secured  the  services 
of  St.  Clair  Lawrence  as  missionar^^  He  began  in 
March  to  suppl}^  two  points  of  destitution,  viz  :  Fair 
View  and  Mt.  Moriah  churches.  From  the  first  of  July 
until  the  meeting  of  the  Association,  he  preached  84 
sermons,  and  baptized  seven  persons,  twenty-eight 
others  being  baptized  in  connection  with  meetings  he 
held.  He  was  to  receive  a  (salary  of  $100.00 for  labors 
performed  from  July  the  first,  to  the  annual  meeting. 

A  usual  visitor  at  their  annual  gatherings  was  J.  S. 
Stockton  of  Big  Bear  Creek  Association  in  Ala1)ama. 
The    writer   has   enjoyed  a  personal  acquaintance  with 


1118  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

him.  He  is  a  man  of  line  presentation,  an  ardent 
Mason,  a  true  Baptist,  and  a  good  preacher.  He  is  ex- 
ceedingly popular  in  that  part  of  the  country,  and  a 
very  useful  man 

In  1886,  the  Association  met  with  the  Salem  church, 
and,  in  1887,  with  Mt.  Zion  church.  The  New  Har^ 
mony  church  was  received  into  the  body  in  1886,  and 
the  Shiloh  church  in  1887.  It  is  noticeable  that  in 
1887,  the  condition  of  their  churches  Avas  not  satisfac- 
tory. Ten  of  the  eighteen  churches  of  the  Association 
were  without  pastors.  The  Mt.  Olive,  a  church  of  few 
years  of  existence,  had  dissolved,  and  Jackson's  Camp, 
New  Bethlehem,  and  Union  churches  were  not  repre- 
sented in  the  annual  meeting  of  the  body.  The  churches 
reported  that  year  only  31  baptisms. 

James  F.  Benson  was  their  evangelist.  He  began 
work  December  1,  1886,  under  a  joint  contract  of  the 
Executive  Board  and  the  Convention  Board.  He  was 
employed  by  these  two  boards  at  a  salary  of  $300.00  a 
year.  He  supplied  twelve  points  regularly,  constituted 
two  churches,  travelved  1,602  miles,  preached  200  ser- 
mons, and  baptized  fifteen  people. 

James  F.  Benson  has  been  one  of  the  most  useful,  as 
well  as  one  of  the  most  honored  members  of  the  body. 
He  has  for  man3'  years  been  tax  assessor  of  Itawamba 
count}',  and  is  universalh"  respected  for  probity  and 
correctness.  He  is  a  man  of  rarecommon  sense,  of  good 
knowledge  of  the  Bible,  and  of  consecrated  zeal  in  the 
Master's  work.  He  has  been  pastor  of  some  of  the  best 
churches  of  that  part  of  the  State,  and  is  esteemed  by 
the  people  as  a  pure  man  and  a  good  preacher. 

In  1890,  we  find  that  there  wQre  21  churches  in  the 
Association  with  a  total  membership  of  834.  All  the 
churches  had  pastors  except  one,  and  only  two  churches 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1119 

were  not  represented  in  the  annual  gathering.  The 
Bethany  church,  with  J.  F.  Benson  pastor,  was  the 
largest  one  of  the  body,  having  77  members,  and  New 
Home  the  smallest,  having  only  12  members.  Their 
pastors  at  that  time  were  J.  F.  Benson,  W.  H.  Connill, 
Wm.  D.  Shaw,  David  K.  McClung,  J.  H.  Harrison,  Wm. 
W.  Gilbert,  and  Wm.  F.  White. 

The  report  on  the  State  of  Religion  was  despondent 
in  its  tone.  The  condition  of  the  churches  and  the 
apathy  of  the  preachers  was  deeply  deplored.  The  en- 
tire report  is,  indeed,  a  Jeremiad.  After  being  thor- 
oughly discussed,  the  rei)ort  was  adopted  as  the  senti- 
ment of  the  body. 

The  Executive  Board  made  no  report.  But  there 
was  a  report  on  destitution,  in  which  it  was  said  that 
destitution  was  reported,  but  it  was  not  thought  neces- 
sary to  regard  the  report.  In  their  small  territory  they 
had  21  churches,  and  1^*)  ordained  ministers,  which 
showed  that  they  did  not  have  two  churches  to  one 
ordained  preacher.  It  was  recommended  that  the 
churches  do  their  duty  "  to Vk^ard  their  preachers,"'  which 
was  much 

In  1S91,  the  Association  again  met  with  the  Beth- 
any church,  and,  in  1892,  was  back  again  at  Highland 
church.  The  session  of  1891  was  really  held  in  the 
liuilding  of  the  Oakland  Normal  Institute,  which  is  onlv 
a  few  hundred  yards  from  the  old  Bethany  church,  in 
the  town  of  Yale. 

The  Oakland  Normal  Institute  was  under  the  wise 
direction  of  Professors  G.  A.  and  J.  T.  Holly.  Few  insti- 
tutions of  learning  established  in  our  State  have  reaped 
a  larger  measure  of  success.  These  two  wise  educators 
began  their  educational  exterprise  as  the  letting  down 
of  a  lamp  in  a  dark  place.     Their  work  has  l)ceninvalu- 


1120  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

able  to  the  ^^outli  of  those  high  hills,  35  miles  from  any 
railroad.  At  the  earnest  request  of  W.  A.  Turnage,  the 
writer,  in  1898,  conducted  a  minister's  institute  in  the 
college  building.  In  his  stay  of  four  weeks  among  that 
people,  he  was  deeply  impressed  as  to  the  great  good 
that  institution  of  learning  was  doing.  Education  is 
the  handmaid  of  Christianity. 

At  that  time  the  Association  was  earnestly  seeking 
co-operation  of  the  State  Board  in  their  missionary 
work.  They  admitted  large  destitution  in  the  south- 
eastern part  of  their  territory.  A  little  later,  W.  A. 
Turnage  did  missionary  work  for  them  under  the  joint 
appointment  of  their  board  and  the  Convention  Board. 
He  was  an  impulsive,  impetuous,  good  man,  but  rest- 
less and  impatient  as  to  results.  His  fiery  zeal  made  it- 
self felt.     He  is  now  in  the  State  ot  Texas. 

Reports  were  annually  placed  before  the  Association 
on  missions,  education,  state  of  religion,  temperance, 
Sunday  school  finances,  and  documents.  Thej'  were 
usually  short,  but  to  the  point.  In  1891,  they  reported 
the  sum  of  $10.05  paid  to  Mexican  missions.  J.  G. 
Chastain  was  reared  in  their  bounds,  and  his  mission- 
ary successes  in  the  land  of  the  cactus  were  highly  enj  03^ed 
by  the  friends  of  his  boyhood. 

In  1894,  the  crying  need  of  missionary  labor  in  the 
southeastern  portion  of  their  territory  was  still  recog- 
nized. Mt.  Moriah  church  was  in  that  destitution. 
Some  reinforcements  were  coming  to  their  fighting  line. 
We  see  the  names  of  W.  D.  Bookout  and  W.  D.  Page 
added  to  their  fist  of  ministers.  W.  D.  Bookout  is  a 
fine  business  man,  in  good  circumstances,  and  carries 
his  business  capacity  along  with  his  religion. 

The  Treasurer's  reports  show  very  little  given  to 
missions,  almost  nothing  apart  from  Mexican  missions. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS  1121 

The  people  in  that  part  of  the  State  are,  as  a  rule,  in 
very  limited  circunivStances,  and  without  large  inform; - 
tion  as  to  missionary  topics.  They  have  about  them 
in  their  territory  much  anti-missionary  sentiment,  and 
some  of  it  in  their  churches.  Their  progressive  preach- 
ers wage  a  hard  warfare,  and  reall}^  need  more  S3'm- 
pathy  and  help  from  our  Convention  Board.  They  are 
far  removed  from  the  seat  of  our  missionary  activity', 
and  seldom  see  the  representatives  of  oiu"  benevolent 
enterprises. 

In  1898,  W.  A.  Turnage,  their  missionary',  reported 
1,150  miles  traveled,  eight  stations  occupied,  24  per- 
sons baptized,  baptized  by  others  in  his  meetings  20, 
and  one  church  organized.  His  good  report  was  well 
discussed,  and  $50.00  pledged  to  aid  him  in  his  work. 
It  is  to  be  regretted  that  he  could  not  be  induced  to 
tOntinuein  his  work. 

The  following  year,  the  report  of  work  done  was 
the  best  in  the  history  of  the  Association  to  that  date. 
The  missionary-  collection  on  Sunda3^  jimounted  to 
$15.50,  while  $7.75  had  been  sent  to  A.  V.  Rowe,  corres- 
ponding secretary  of  the  Convention  Board  for  State 
missions,  and  $2.60  for  Hpme  missions,  and  $3.90  to 
the  Orphan's  Home. 

Elders  W.  D.  Bookoiit  an4  J., T.  Robertson  had  l;)een 
their  missionaries,  arid  t1ie3^  werecompensated  for  their 
services.  The  sj)irit  of  the  bodj'  was  very  much  im- 
proved Iw  the  school  at  Yale  conducted  l)^^  the  Holle\' 
Ijrothers,  bv  the  missionary  information  imparted  hv 
W.  A.  Turnage,  and  b}-  the  ministers'  institute  conducted 
by  the  writer  in  1898,  as  before  referred  to.  He  was 
gratified  at  his  pleasant  reception.  On  the  Sundays  he 
wiis  with  them,  he  preached  in  the  BethauN'  church,  and 
in  th^  college  building  on  the  subject  of  missions,  and  in 


1122  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

his  lectures  gave  the  unfokling  of  missionary  work  as  it 
appeared  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles. 

In  the  3^ear  1900,  there  were  21  churches  in  the  in- 
stitution which  had  a  total  of  879  members.  The  pas- 
tors of  the  churches  were,  J.  T.  Robertson,  W.  D.  Book- 
out,  W.  T.  McClung,  J.  F.  Benson,  J.  E.  Anthony,  X. 
T.  Clayton,  J.  L.  Connill,  J.  M.  Harrison,  W.  W.  Gil- 
bert, J.  S.  Stockton,  C.  A.  Gilbert,  and  A.  F.  Cole. 

William  M.  Chaffin  w-as  then  their  moderator,  as  has 
already  been  stated.  He  was  a  member  of  the  old 
Bethany  church.  He  was  a  laj'^man.  He  writes  a 
beautiful  hand,  and  w^as  clerk  of  the  body  until  the3' 
made  him  moderator.  He  exerts  a  fine  and  wide  in- 
fluence in  his  part  of  the  State.  Alay  the  Lord  long 
continue  him  in  his  sphere  of  usefulness. 

The  Tombigbee  Association  is  situated  in  a  hard 
field  of  labor.  The  people  are  seeking  the  new  and  the 
curious,  and  their  minds  much  at  sea  as  to  religious 
thought.  But  the  ministers  of  the  Association  have 
fitted  themselves  for  their  peculiar  work,  and  are  ever 
ready-  to  give  a  reason  for  their  faith.  They  wish 
prayer,  sympathy,  and  help  in  their  arduous  w^ork,  and 
the  da3^  will  soon  dawn,  w^hen  the\^  wall  see  the  coming 
of  reinforcements  from  the  armies  of  the  Convention 
Board.  May  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  stand  by  them  as 
they  wdeld  the  Damascus  blade. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1123 


CHAPTER   XLl. 

PEARL   LEAF   ASSOCIATION. 

One  of  the  most  vigorous  of  the  young  associations 
of  the  State  is  the  Pearl  Leaf.  It  is  instinct  with  mis- 
sionary Hfe,  and  })ulsates  with  a  hearty  good  will  for 
all  the  benevolences  fostered  by  our  State  Convention. 
It  was  established  l3y  men  who  had  no  disaffection  for 
our  organized  work.  So  far  as  is  known  no  systematic 
effort  hiis  been  made  to  jilienate  the  churches  of  the 
organization  to  repudiate  the  convention  and  its 
Boards.  The  custom  of  the  churches  is  largeh^  to  send 
up  their  money  for  missions  to  the  meetings  of  the  As  - 
sociation.  In  1901,  the  churches  sent  to  the  Associa- 
tion in  the  hands  of  their  messengers,  $598.16  for  mis- 
sions. 

The  leading  spirits  in  the  constitution  of  the  body 
were:  T.  S.  Powell,  J.  N.  Walker,  T.  E.  H.  Robinson, 
B.  F.  Rawles,  R.  M.  Blackwell,  J.  X.  Welch,  J.  T.  Duck- 
worth, I.  H.  Mikell.  J.  W.  Cox.  and  W.  C.  Robertson. 
T.S.  Powell  was  pastorof  four  of  the  churches  that  com- 
posed the  original  body,  T.  E.  H.  Robinson  ot  one,  and 
J,  N.  Walker  of  one.  The  six  churches  were  :  Antioch, 
Leaf  River,  Salem,  an  1  Williamsburg  of  Covington 
county,  Bunker  Hill  of  M  irion,  Bethany  of  Lawrence, 
and  Central  of  Perry.  Of  these  churches  the  Bethany 
church  was  the  strongest,  having  a  membershi])of  203. 
Much  has  been  said  of  this  church  in  the  history  of  the 
Pearl  River  Association. 


1124-  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  Pearl  Leaf  was  organized  November  10,  1884,, 
at  Salem  church,  Covington  county.  Nineteen  messen- 
gers from  the  six  churches  named  composed  the  first 
Association.  The  Central  and  the  Williamsburg  churches 
had  present  only  one  messenger  each.  In  the  tempor- 
ary organization  T.  S.  Powell  was  moderator  and 
W.  C.  Robertson,  clerk.  J.  G.  Chastain,  then  a  mis- 
sionary under  the  State  Mission  Board  in  South  Mis- 
sissippi, was  present  as  a  messenger  from  the  Pearl 
River  Association,  and  R.  Drummond,  of  the  Strong 
River  Association.  Their  presence  was  appreciated  by 
the  Association,  and  they  were  used  in  their  devotional 
exercises. 

In  the  permanent  organization,  T.  S.  Powell  was 
made  moderator,  W.  C.  Robertson,  clerk,  and  J.  N. 
Welch,  treasurer.  They  were  re-elected  the  following 
year.  T.  S.  Powell,  the  moderator,  was  a  prime  factor 
in  the  organization  of  the  new  organization.  He  was 
a  graduate  of  Mississippi  College,  and  a  man  of  no 
me^-n  ability.  He  attended  the  Southern  Baptist  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  had  a  pastorate  in  the  North  for 
some  years,  but  returned  to  the  State,  and  died  of  yel- 
low fever  in  one  of  the  recent  epidemics.  He  was  an 
old  bachelor  and  some  thought  him  somewhat  eccen- 
tric, but  he  was  for  many  years  a  very  useful  man. 

The  Pearl  Leaf  at  once  appointed  an  Associational 
Board,  styled  as  an  Executive  and  Literary  Board.  It 
was  composed  of  one  member  from  each  church  and 
was  to  have  the  general  supervision  of  the  benevolences 
of  the  Association,  their  missionary  and  educational 
work.  They  also  hastened  to  assert  themselves  as  to 
their  alliances  with  corresponding  bodies.  They  elected 
messengers  to  the  Pearl  River,  the  Ebenezer,  the  Strong- 
River,  the  Red  Creek,  the  Chickasahay,  the  Fair  River, 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1125 

and  the  General  Association,  and  to  the  Baptist  State 
Convention.  They  passed  the  following  resolutions  as 
to  co-operation  wath  the  State  Convention : 

"  i?eso/rer/,  first,  That  this  Association  advise  co- 
operation with  the  State  Baptist  Convention  in  its 
benevolent  enterprises. 

Second,  That  the  Executive  Board  of  this  Associa- 
tion be  instructed  to  co-operate  with  the  State  Mission 
Board  in  the  appointment  of  a  missionary  to  labor  in 
our  bounds,  provided  his  support  can  be  raised." 
$121.50  was  pledged  to  this  work  by  private  indi- 
viduals. 

A  number  of  committees  were  appointed  to  report 
at  that  meeting.  A  short  report  was  made  on  missions, 
recommending  to  the  pastors  to  keep  the  subject  of 
missions  before  their  churches.  The  report  on  Sunday 
schools  laid  stress  onthe  necessary  moral  and  Christian 
character  of  Sunday-school  teachers.  The  Committee 
on  Publications  recommended  Kind  Words  and  the 
Record.  The  report  on  General  Education  enforced  the 
thought  of  the  demand  for  an  educated  minivStry. 

The  second  session  of  the  body  was  held  with  the 
Bethany  church,  Lawrence  county.  All  the  churches 
were  represented  by  delegates,  and  the  Victory  church, 
of  Covington  county,  received  into  the  body.  The 
weather  was  very  inclement,  so  much  so,  as  to  prevent 
ii  sufhcient  gathering  of  the  people  at  the  convening  of 
the  body  to  justif\'  the  ])reaching  ot  the  introductory 
sermon.  But  notwithstanding  this  unfavorable  begin- 
ning the  session  was  very  successful  in  its  operations. 
Eight  messengers  were  received  from  corresponding 
biidies,  and  a  package  of  the  Minutes  of  the  State  Con- 
vention. 

The  report  on  Apportionment   recommended   that 


1126  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

the3'  try  to  raise  the  amount  assigned  them  by  the 
Convention  Board.  The  report  of  the  Executive  Board 
was  cheerful.  T.  D.  Bush  had  traveled  as  their  mis- 
sionar}',  giving  one-fourth  of  his  time,  on  a  salar\^  of 
$2.00  a  day.  He  labored  70  days,  baptized,  or  saw 
baptized  38,  and  organized  one  church.  The  Board 
received  $149.50,  and  paid  T.  D.  Bush  for  the  70  days 
service  $140.00.  In  the  report  on  State  missions  we 
find  the  language,  "Our  associational  mission  work  is 
a  success,"  and  in  the  corresponding  letter,  the  moder- 
ator said:  "We  have  paid  our  missionary  in  full  and 
design  emplo^ang  him  for  a  greater  portion  of  his  time 
the  coming  year." 

The  report  on  Sunday  schools  showed  a  Sunday 
school  in  each  of  the  six  churches  with  a  total  in  at- 
tendance of  350,  which  was  a  beginning  highly  credita- 
ble. Good  reports  were  made  on  Ministerial  Education, 
Mississippi  College,  Sustentation,  Home  and  Foreign 
missions. 

The  third  annual  session  of  the  bodj^  was  held  with 
Central  church,  Perr3'  countj^  beginning  September  4, 
1886.  During  the  associational  j^ear  the  clerk  of  the 
two  former  sessions  had  died.  Suitable  resolutions 
were  passed,  expressive  of  grief  caused  by  the  sad  news 
of  his  decease,  and  tendering  his  bereaved  family  the 
warmest  sympathies.  T.  S.  Powell  was  for  the  third 
time  elected  moderator,  W.  F.  Spell  was  chosen  as  clerk, 
and  J.  W.  Cox,  treasurer.  New  Harmony  church  was 
received  into  the  body. 

On  Sunday  morning  W.  A.  McComb  conducted  a 
prayer  meeting  at  9:30,  and  at  11  o'clock,  T.S.  Powell 
preached  to  a  large  and  attentive  congregation.  At  the 
close  of  the  services  a  collection  was  taken  for  missions, 
amounting  to  $41.25   in  cash   and   $54.60  in  pledges. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1127 

At  the  close  of  the  session  of  the  body  T,  S.  Powell  has 
his  resignation  of  his  position  of  moderator  aecepted, 
as  he  was  soon  to  go  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  to  attend  the 
Southern  Ba]3tist  Theological  Seminary.  James  L.Fin- 
le}'  was  elected  in  his  stead. 

The  Executive  Committee  was  composed  of  the 
moderator  and  clerk  and  the  following  brethren  :  W.  AI. 
Waller,  J.  J.  Williamson,  F.  S.  Rawles,  Abner  Polk, 
D.  C.  Rogers,  Clinton  King,  Hardy  Pittman  and  W.  J. 
Reed.  Their  missionary,  T.D.  Bush,  reported  109  da^'s 
of  service,  1,4-75  miles  traveled,  14  baptized,  and  one 
church  constituted.  J.  L.  Finley,  the  moderator,  said 
in  the  corresponding  letter  that  almost  all  the  churches 
had  enjoyed  "refreshings  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord." 
The  churches  of  the  Association  at  its  third  session  had 
610  members. 

The  fourth  annual  session  was  held  with  the  Bunker 
Hill  churcli,  Marion  county.  We  find  that  T.  S.  Powell 
was  at  the  meeting,  but  J.  L.  Finle\'  was  chosen  as- 
moderator.  The  other  officers  were  :  W.  J.  Bass,  clerk, 
and  J.  E.  Bass,  treasurer.  F.  D.  Baars  appeared  as  a 
messenger  from  Bunker  Hill  church.  He  was  at  one 
time  a  student  in  Mississippi  College,  was  a  German, 
and  withal  a  hue  musician.  The  Concord  and  the 
Liberty  churches  were  received  into  the  union. 

The  da\'s  of  restlessness  had  come.  Somehow  it 
appeared  to  the  Pearl  Leaf  that  the  best  missionary 
work  i)ossible  was  not  being  done  in  their  bounds  bv 
the  plan  of  close  co-operation  with  the  Convention 
Board.  A  motion  obtained  acceptance  to  the  effect 
that  their  missionary  work  be  put  exclusively  in  the 
hands  of  the  Exei:utive  Board.  T.  S.  Powell,  represent- 
ing the  State  Convention  Board,  strange  to  say,  of- 
fered the  followinir  resolution : 


1128  HISTORY    OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

"Resolved,  That  this  Association  is  in  full  sympathy 
and  co-operation  with  the  State  Convention  Board  in 
its  entire  work."  The  resolution  was  amended  so  as 
not  to  affect  their  course  and  policy  as  to  employing  a 
missionar^^ 

'  No  stream  flows  smoothly' from  its  source  to  its 
confluence  with  another  stream,  and  sometimes  the 
water  seems  to  deflect  from  its  direction,  but  it  only 
forms  curves  in  its  way  to  the  sea.  Restlessness  is 
natural  to  the  expecting  and  the  nervous,  and  they 
sometimes  diverge  from  a  correct  mode  of  procedure 
only  to  return  the  more  conformable  to  the  right. 
J.  L.Finley  in  the  correspondence  said:  "Our  missionary 
has  done  noble  service,  and  the  Lord  has  wonderfully 
blessed  his  labors."  This  being  true,  wh\^  should  they 
wish  a  change  in  their  missionary  work  ? 
":  Among  the  reports  of  the  committees,  the  report  on 
Temperance  was  most  conspicuous.  Long  prccimble"^ 
and  resolutions  were  adopted  covering  the  temperance 
cause,  the  prohibition  movement  and  the  Sabbath^dese- 
cration  caused  by  the  open  saloon  on  the  Lord's  day. 
So  far  as  this  history  is  written,  no  Baptist  association 
in  Mississippi  has  been  discovered  to  do  otherwise  than 
to  take  high  ground  and  to  line  up  with  the  most  ad- 
vanced movement  against  the  demon  of  drink. 

In  1888,  the  Association  convened  wnth  the  Leaf 
River  church.  The  only  change  of  ofiicers  was  the  elec- 
tion of  N.  C.  Hathorn  as  treasurer.  Mrs.  M.  J.  Nelson, 
then  working  with  the  children  of  New  Orleans  under 
the  direction  of  the  Convention  Board,  was  with  them, 
and  made  an  address  to  the  women,  and  also  one  to 
the  children  which  was  said  to  be  "replete  in  wisdom 
and  beneficial  instruction." 

In  the  report  on  State  Missions  a  statement  was 


HISTORY     OF     IV5-SSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1129 

made  of  the  work  done  by  the  State  Board  in  the  last 
conventional  year,  and  then  it  was  said,  "Sad  thought, 
brethren,  that  we,  as  an  association,  have  no  part  nor 
lot  in  the  great  work."  The  grief  was  expressed  in  the 
body  that  there  was  deplorable  need  of  evangelistic 
labor  in  their  bounds,  and  that  some  more  should  be 
done 'than  they  were  at  that  time  accomplishing.  It 
was  said  that  in  case  the  services  of  J.  L.  Finlev  could 
not  be  had,  that  R.  W.  Hall  should  enter  the  missicm^ 
ary  field.       -.  .^^^.      ^^^,.    i.,.-u:.p;  ;  -     .        . 

•  Interest  was  being  taken  at  that  time  m  the  work 
of  education.  It  was  thought  that  Alississippi  College 
was  "indispensably  necessary  "to  our  denominational 
work.  A  resolution  was  passed  highly  commending 
an  effort  that  was  being  made  by  the  Chickasahay  As- 
sociation to  establish  a  high  school  at  Rawles' Springs. 
The  following  resolution  was  passed  as  tq  Ministerial 
Education : 

''Resolved,  That  this  Association  aid  brethren  Clin- 
ton King  and  G.  B.  Butler  in  obtaining  an  education, 
by  contributing  to  their  support  during  their  staA'  at 
Clinton  College." 

The  following^ year,  the  truth  was  emphasized  that 
the  minister  should  be  so  well  educated  as  to  express 
himself  logically  and  clearly,  but  first  of  all  should  be 
called  of  God  to  his  work,  and  Mississippi  College  was 
recommended  as  a  good  school  for  the  young  minister 
to  attend.  G.  B.  Butler  was  at  the  meeting  of  the 
body,  and  aided  in  the  devotional  exercises,  and  seemed 
much  in  favor  in  the  eyes  of  his  brethren,  but  nothing 
was  said  of  him  in  the  report  on  Ministerial  Education. 
As  has  been  the  custom  in  many  of  the  associations, 
the  Pearl  Leaf  had  a  report  annually  on  ministerial 
.  support.      In    1SS9,   in   the   report   it   was   said   that. 


1130  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

"when  a  preacher  falls  behind  in  his  financial  matters, 
his  usefulness  is  more  or  less  impaired.  The  world  ex- 
])ects  him  to  he  punctual  in  all  his  business  engage- 
ments. *  *  *  The  church  should  ever  feel  it  encumbent 
upon  it  as  a  body  to  support  the  pastor.  *  *  *  The 
church  that  withholds  and  starves  its  minister  ma\' 
expect  nothing  less  than  the  withdrawal  of  the  divine 
Spirit." 

In  1889,  there  were  twelve  churches  in  the  union. 
The  bod}^  had  doubled  its  number  of  churches  in  five 
years.  The  churches  reported  that  year  7-1  baptisms, 
and  54  received  by  letter,  and  a  total  membership  of 
894.  They  reported  as  giving  during  the  associational 
year  $66.90  to  State  missions,  $31.45  to  Foreign  mis- 
sions, $36.75  to  Ministerial  Education,  and  $1,080.00 
to  pastoral  support.  This  little  organization,  in  the 
verv  heart  of  the  long-feaf  pine  region,  has  far  excelled 
man}^  of  our  associations  far  better  favored  b3'  their 
proximity  to  centres  of  commercial  and  educational  in- 
fluences. It  is  only  just  to  sa}^  that  its  benevolences 
and  missionary  spirit  are  highlj^  commendable. 

The  Hattiesburg  church  was  received  into  the  As- 
sociation in  1892.  Thej'  met  that  j^ear  with  Good 
Water  church,  and  the  following  year  with  Central 
church.  Perry  counts'.  James  M.  Welch  was  moderator 
in  1892.  The  next  year  thej^  met  with  the  vSalem 
church,  Covington  county,  and  in  1895  with  Victory 
church  in  the  same  countv.  In  1892,  James  M.  Welch 
was  moderator,  George  H.  Pond,  clerk,  and  D.  C. 
Rogers,  treasurer.  These  officers  of  the  Ijody  were 
elected  to  fill  those  positions  respectiveh^  for  the  follow- 
ing two  3^ears. 

In  1892,  there  were  fifteen  churches  in  the  fraternity 
with  a  total   membership  of  1,182,  and,  in  1894,  there 


HISTORY     OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1131 

were  eighteen  elm  relies  in  the  body  with  a  decrease  (it 
number  to  1,616.  In  1892,  the}'  gave  to  State  missions 
$24.05  and  to  Foreign  missions  $29.70.  In  1894,  they 
contributed  to  State  missions  $119.49,  and  to  For- 
eign inissions  $52.46.  They  gave  tb  pastors'  salar3'  in 
1892,  $850.00,  and  in  1894,  $1,800.00. 

In  1893,  three  churches  were  received  into  the 
imion,  Indian  Springs,  Augusta  and  Providence. 

Xo  association  in  the  State,  composed  largeh'  of 
country  churches,  has  made  more  commendable  pro- 
gress than  the  Pearl  Leaf.  May  the  blessings  of  the 
Lord  continue  with  it. 


1132  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  XLII. 

THE  CAREY  ASSOCIATION. 

The  Mississippi  Association  met  in  1884  at  New 
Providence  church  east  of  Gloster.  Many  of  the  dele- 
gates went  over  the  Mississippi  Valley  Railwa^^  to 
Gloster,  and  were  carried  out  to  New  Providence  church 
in  private  conveyances.  The  Mississippi  Valle\'  Rail- 
vv^ay  had  just  begun  to  run  passenger  trains.  The 
writer  bought  the  second  ticket  sold  at  Harriston  for 
travel  on  that  road.  The  roadbed  was  new,  and  travel 
not  altogether  safe.  It  occurred  to  some  of  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  churches  located  along  that  railway 
that  it  would  be  best  to  constitute  an  association  along 
the  line  from  Harriston  to  Baton  Rouge,  La.  Elder  G. 
B.  Rogers,  then  missionary  pastor  at  Woodville,  was 
one  of  the  chief  promoters  of  the  new  enterprise.  The 
following  year  some  churches  got  letters  of  dismission 
from  the  Mississippi,  the  Mississippi  river  and  the 
Union  to  form  the  new  organization. 

The  representatives  of  the  churches  designing  to  go 
into  the  organization  met  with  the  Bethlehem  church, 
Franklin  county.  The  Bethlehem  church  was  about 
one  mile  west  of  Hamburg  and  from  where  the  old 
Salem  church  site  is,  the  first  Baptist  church  consti- 
tuted in  Mississippi.  J.  B.  Gambrell  was  greatly  inter- 
ested in  the  formation  of  the  new  association,  and  was 
with  the  delegates  in  its  constitution,  and  in  the  pro- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1133 

ccedings  of  the  body,  would  now  and  then  forget  him- 
self and  speak  of  what  "  we"  were  going  to  do.  E.  C^ 
Gates,  then  in  feeble  health,  a  confirmed  consumptive, 
stopped  with  his  relatives  to  be  with  us.  He  was  on 
his  wa3'  to  Texas,  seeking  to  prolong  his  life.  This  was 
the  last  Mississippi  Association  he  attended.  His  pres- 
ence was  ver\^  helpful.  He  made  some  remarkable 
speeches.  He  was  a  genius  of  the  first  water,  perhaps 
the  onW  real  genius  our  State  has  to  this  time  produced. 

When  the  hour  for  the  meeting  had  arrived,  Z.  T. 
Leavell  was  chosen  temporary  chairman,  and  E.  W. 
Spencer,  clerk.  Theobject  of  the  meeting  was  explained 
by  Z.  T.  Leavell.  Letters  were  read  from  the  following 
churches,  viz:  Bethlehem  from  the  Union  Association, 
Union  (Franklin  county).  Pioneer,  Woodville,  Bethel, 
Percy's  Creek,  Dry  Fork  Union,  Providence,  Wall  Street 
Natchez,  Fort  Adams,  and  Beulah  of  the  Mississippi; 
Alto,  and  First  Church,  Baton  Rouge  from  the  A4issis- 
sippi  River.  The  ministers  present  were,  O.  L.  Parker, 
T.  M.  Ellerbee,  H.  S.  Archer,  T.  J.  Drane,  E.  W.Spencer, 
G.  W.  Farmer,  S.  H.  Thompson,  Z.  T.  Leavell,  and  G. 
B.  Rogers.  Judge  W.  R.  Rutland  ol  Baton  Rouge  was 
elected  moderator,  E.  W.  Spencer,  clerk,  and  E.  B. 
Scale,  treasurer. 

There  was  some  difference  of  taste  as  to  what  the 
Association  should  be  called.  J.  M.  Grifiing  wished  ili 
called  the  Mississippi  Valley  Association.  But  he  was 
told  that  there  was  not  a  church  proposing  to  go  into 
the  organization  that  was  in  the  Mississippi  Valley. 
He  retorted  that  the  churches  were  along  the  Missis- 
sippi Vallej'  Railway,  and  because  of  the  existence  of 
that  railroad  the  Association  was  being  constituted. 
His  suggestion  had  great  weight  with  the  body.  But 
someone  else  thought  that  it  should  be  a  great  mission- 


1134  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

ary  boch'-  and  as  there  was  not  an  association  in  the 
State  named  for  WilHam  Carey,  that  it  would  be  be- 
coming to  call  it  the  Carey  Association.  So  it  was 
named. 

The  Sunday  embraced  in  the  meeting  of  the  bod^^ 
was  a  bright  and  beautiful  day,  as  was  sincerely  de- 
sired. The  wish  was  to  ascertain  if  the  Association  was 
worthy-  of  its  name.  J.  B.  Gambrell  preached  at  11  a. 
m.,  and  Z.  T.  Lea  veil  in  the  afternoon  preached  on  mis- 
sions. A  collection  was  taken  for  missions  amounting 
to  $96.4-0.  The  effort  was  to  raise  $100.00,  which  was 
closeh^  approached.  The  meeting  was  in  the  middle  of 
November,  designedly,  as  at  that  time  of  the  year  there 
is  some  monej-  in  the  countr}^  which  assures  a  good 
cash  collection  at  the  meeting  of  the  body.  It  was  the 
effort  of  the  organization  so  long  as  the  writer  was  in 
it,  to  raise  a  cash  collection  of  $100.00  for  missions  on 
the  Sunday  embraced  in  its  meeting. 

No  committee  was  raised  on  "Temperance,"  but  in 
its  stead  a  committee  on  "Prohibition.''  The  forma- 
tion of  the  body  was  at  a  date  when  all  talk  about  the 
restriction  of  the  drink  habit  was  as  to  keeping  the 
whisky--  from  the  man,  or  about  prohibition.  On  the 
night  before  the  organization  of  the  Association  A.  A, 
Lomaxand  Joel  H.  Gambrell  spoke  in  Hamburg  on  pro- 
hibition and  had  some  saloon  keepers  in  their  audience. 
Thej^  made  a  fine  impression,  and  one  of  the  dram  sell- 
ers said  he  would  sell  no  more  whisky.  The  report  on 
Prohibition  closed  on  this  wise: 

''Resolved,  That  this  Association  advise  that  the 
selling,  habitual  drinking  of  intoxicating  licjuors,  the 
signing  of  whisky  petitions  and  yoting  for  whisky 
license,  be  made  a  matter  of  church  discipline."' 

A  good  report  was  presented  on  education,  in  which 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1135 

Mississippi  College  was  recommended,  and  also  other 
"  Christian  institutions"  "that  look  after  the  culture 
of  bodies,  minds  and  especially  hearts  of  our  girls  as 
well  as  our  boA^s  and  \'oung  men.''  Reference  was  made 
to  the  fact  the  State  Convention  had  at  its  kist  meeting 
jilaced  all  its  interests  under  the  control  of  one  board, 
called  the  Convention  Board,  located  in  Jackson,  Miss. 
The  Convention  Board  had  charge  of  collections  for 
Mississippi  college  and  ministerial  education  as  well  as 
missions.  This  action  of  the  convention  was  indorsed 
as  wise,  and  support  was  pledged  to  the  board,  adopt- 
ing the  rather  singular  and  comprehensive  motto  of  "a 
contribution  from  every  member  of  every  church  of 
this  Association  to  ever3'  object  fostered  l)y  the  Con- 
vention Bocird."  The  expression  is  unique,  and  at- 
tracts the  eye. 

Ladies  aid  societies  within  the  bounds  of  the  bodv 
were  invited  to  hold  a  session  at  the  time  and  place  of 
the  annual  meetings  of  the  Association  and  requested  to 
send  lull  statistical  reports  of  work  done.  Ladies,  con- 
templating the  organizations  of  new  societies,  were  re- 
quested to  correspond  with  Mrs.  A.  J.  Ouinche,  Oxford, 
Miss.,  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  Central  Committee 
on  Woman's  Work.  The  union  was  organized  of 
twelve  churches,  having  a  total  membership  of  830. 

The  body  met  in  1886  with  Union  Church,  Frank- 
lin count\-.  In  the  burying  i)lace,  near  133-,  is  the  grave 
of  the  honored  and  useful  Solomon  Buff  kin.  He  was  to 
the  Union  Association  what  Xorvell  Robertson  was  to 
the  Pearl  river,  and  Z.  Reeves  to  the  Mississippi.  The 
Association  was  organized.  b\'  the  election  of  Judge  W. 
R.  Rutland,  moderator,  G.  W.  Farmer,  clerk,  and  E.  B. 
Scale,  treasurer.  W.  W.  Bolls,  S.  H.  Thompson,  and  J. 
B.  Gambrell  were  visitors  at  the  meeting.     On  Sunday 


1136  HISTORY     OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

at  11  a.  m.  Z.  T.  Leavell  was  to  preach  the  missionary 
sermon.  The  congregation  was  exceedingh'  large,  but 
perfectly  orderly.  The  design  of  the  preacher  was  to 
make  a  practical  impression  by  the  proper  presentation 
of  his  theme.  J.  B.  Gambrell  was  to  follow  him,  taking 
a  collection  for  missions.  Before  going  into  the  pupit 
the  preacher  sought  a  secluded  spot  and  pleaded  with 
the  God  of  missions  not  to  leave  him  to  himself  that 
morning.  At  the  close  of  the  service  J.  B.  Gambrell  took 
a  collection  for  missions  of  $101.35,  all  in  cash.  On 
Monday  a  resolution  was  offered  by  O.  L.  Parker  to  the 
effect  that  the  pastors  press  the  question  of  missions 
before  their  churches,  and  at  least  qtiarterh-,  to  take 
collection  for  evangelization. 

■'"'The  body  claimed  to  be  in  harmony  with  the  educa- 
tional interests  of  the  State  Convention.  There  was  of 
necessity,  a  degree  of  awkwardness  in  pressing  matters 
peculiar  to  the  Baptists  of  Mississippi,  as  many  of  their 
strong  churches  were  in  Louisiana.  The  committee  on 
Sunday  schools  had  as  its  chairman  W.  B.  London  of 
Port  Hudson,  a  man  Wf  rkre  common  sense.  It  was 
recommended  and  urged  that  a  Sunday  school  conven- 
tion be  organized  in  the  bounds  of  the  Association. 
The  report  on  the  state  of  religion  was  exceedingly 
cheerful.  It  stated  that  many  of  the  churches  that  a 
few  years  before  were  in  a  disorganized  state  had  taken 
on  hew  life  a:nd  we're  becoming  more  spirifiual.  The 
ladies  aid  soGie1:ies  were  doing  well.  A  number  of  new 
societies  had  been  organized  during  the  j-ear. 

'  At  thi^  rneeting  ladies  sobieties  organize4  forming 
The  Woman's  Union  ofthe  Carey  Association.  Mrs.  Kate 
Rogers  presided  over  the  rfieeting.  A  few  year^  before 
tills-  the  writer  assisted  in'  ^  meeting  of  Bkys '  al: '  ^'hu- 
bbtl^.    <H^  t^i^eAched  a  sei;'ni'6nori  tHe  Mer%fe'$,'(it  jtlii 


,e 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1137 

sin  of  doing  nothing.  Miss  Kate  Gould  was  teaching, 
in  Shiibuta.  The  next  day  she  told  the  writer  she 
wished  to  enter  a  sphere  of  greater  usefulness.  She  was 
advised  to  attend  the  Baptist  State  Convention  soon 
to  meet  at  Kosciusko.  At  that  convention,  she  met  G^ 
B.  Rogers  and  if  the  reader  is  in  any  ^vay  addicted  ta 
guessing  he  ma\^  exercise  his  faculty  as  to  the  remainder 
of  the  story.     All  the  societies  made  good  reports. 

In  1887,  the  Carey  met  with  the  church  at  Baton 
Rouge,  La.  G.  B.  Rogers  was  elected  clerk,  the  other 
officers  were  the  same  as  the  year  before.  J.  T.  Chris- 
tian was  a  visitor  of  the  meeting.  He  was  then  corres- 
ponding secretary  of  the  Convention  Board .  He  made  a 
ver^'  fine  impression  on  the  bod\^  and  the  people  of 
Baton  Rouge.  On  Sunday,  Z.  T.  Leavell  preached  the 
missionary  sermon  after  which  G.  B.  Rogers  took  a 
collection  of  $100.00  in  cash  for  missions.  The  com- 
mittee on  Publications,  as  usual,  recommended  the 
Southern  Baptist  Record.  The  report  on  Temperance 
made  that  year  is  unusualh'  strong.  It  sa^'s:  "The 
liqtior  traffic  is  doing  more  to  stultify  our  government, 
to  hinder  civilization,  to  oppose  Christianity  and  to 
retard  the  progress  of  the  gospel  than  all  things  else 
besides.  It  acts  like  a  vampire  upon  the  government,  a 
canker  upon  civilization,  an  ulcer  upon  society,  and  a 
blight  in  the  home.*' 

The  Executive  Board  reported  preaching  in  21 
churches.  G.  B.  Rogers  was  the  missionary  of  the  bodj''^ 
preaching  along  the  Mississippi  Valle}-  Railway,  and 
was  doing  efficient  work.  The  board  recommended 
that  a  minister  be  located  at  Baton  Rouge  for  all  his 
time,  also,  one  located  atWoodville  to  preach  atWood- 
ville  and  Ba\'Ou  Sara.  The  report  on  the  state  of  re- 
ligion was  again  cheerful.   "  Manv  of  our  churches  have 


1138  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS, 

enjoyed  precious  seasons  of  refreshing  and  the  outpour- 
ing of  the  Holy  Spirit,  as  shown  by  the  additions  in 
some  churches:  there  has  been  a  continual  ingathering."' 

The  Woman's  Union  convened  in  its  second  session 
during  this  sitting  of  the  Association.  The  meeting  was 
presided  over  b3'-  Mrs.  Kate  Rogers.  Some  societies 
were  represented.  The  societies  were  requested  to  make 
quarterlj^  reports  to  Mrs.  Kate  Rogers,  that  she  might 
make  a  full  report  to  the  Central  Committee.  The  Sun- 
day  school  convention  was  organized  at  Clinton,  La., 
May  28,  1887,  with  A.J.  Renaldson,  president,  and  \V. 
B.  London,  secretary-.  A  number  of  essaj'S  was  read 
and  topics  discussed.  A  successful  meeting  was  re- 
ported. 

The  session  of  the  body  of  1888  was  held  with  the 
Spring  Hill  church  at  Knoxville  on  the  Mississippi  Val- 
ley Railway-.  The  Association  received  W.  W.  Bolls, 
Wm,  Stranburg  and  J.  T.  Christian  as  visitors.  The 
missionary-  sermon  was  preached  at  11  a.  m.  on  Sun- 
day by  H.  S.  Archer,  after  which,  W.  W.  Bolls  took  the 
usual  mission  collection,  amounting  to  $10.00  in  cash. 
The  report  on  temperance  had  the  following  supple- 
ment : 

Resolved,  That  we  record  it  as  our  full  determina- 
tion to  withdraw  from  every  church  whose  pastor  or 
members  sign  whisk\'  petitions,  go  on  the  bond  of 
liquor  dealers,  or  give  countenance  in  anywav  to  the 
iniquitous  whisky'  traffic.'' 

The  report  on  the  state  of  religion  was  in  accord 
with  the  reports  of  the  two  preceedmg  years.  It  said 
the  churches  with  few  exceptions  had  enjoyed  a  revival 
of  religion  and  many  had  been  added  to  the  churches. 
The  committee  on  progress  reported  107  baptisms,  and 
that  the  union  had  cause  to  rejoice.  A  general  advance 
was  reported  in  all  the  work. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1139 

In  1S89,  the  Carcv  met  at  Clinton,  La.  A  great 
many  messengers  were  present.  Among  them  were  J. 
T.  Biirrett  of  Louisiana.  J.  B.  G£ini1)rell  was  present  in 
the  interest  of  the  Baptist  i?ccorc?  of  Mississippi.  J.  T. 
Barret  rei)resented  the  Baptist  Chronicle  of  Louisiana. 
J.  T.  Christian  was  a  messenger  from  the  State  Con- 
vention of  Mississippi.  J.  T.  Christian  preached  at  11 
Ji.  m.  Sunday,  after  which  a  collection- was  taken  of 
$115.80.  for  missions.  Tr\-  pledges  for  missions  were 
taken  at  that  meeting  of  the  bodA'  amounting  to 
$74-0. 00.  The  report  of  the  committee  on  the  state  of 
religion  was  of  the  usual  cheerful  nature. 

In  the  brief  history  of  this  Association  given  to  this 
date,  one  remarkable  feature  has  been  the  continuous 
cheerfulness  of  the  body.  No  ke}'  of  despondency  has 
been  struck.  The  churches  had  a  good  increase  in  bene- 
volence and  in  membership.  The  utmost  harmony  has 
prevailed.  The  body  was  devoid  of  grumblers  and  bel- 
ligerents. All  seemed  to  have  a  mind  to  work  and  were 
happy  in  the  discharge  of  duty.  In  1889,  there  were  27 
churches  intheunion  with  a  total  membership  of  1,400; 
106  were  baptized  that  3^ear,  and  95  received  by  letter. 
The  churches  gave  in  1889  $375.95  to  missions,  and  a 
total  to  all  objects  of  $5,454.60. 


114-0  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER   XLIIL 

WEST  JUDSON   ASSOCIATION. 

In  1884,  the  Judson  Association  was  composed  of 
thirty-seven  strong  churches.  The  institution  was 
thought  to  be  too  large,  and  a  division  was  called  for 
b^'  a  number  of  the  churches.  In  deference  to  their 
wishes  a  committee  was  raised  on  the  subject,  com- 
posed of  R.  O.  Beene,  J.  A.  Williams,  G.  H.  Lawler, 
G.  M.  Philhps,  J.  C.  Gillentine,  J.  M.  Armstrong,  and 
W.  K.  Payne.  This  committee  reported  through  Rus. 
O.  Beene,  their  chairman,  that  they  thought  a  division 
of  the  Judson  Association  advisable  for  the  following 
reasons  :  first,  that  there  was  sufficient  strength  in  the 
Judson  for  two  associations ;  second,  it  would  not  be 
burdensome  on  the  small  churches  to  entertain  the  As- 
sociation;  third,  the  division  would  enable  the  churches 
to  do  more  good ;  fourth,  it  would  be  much  more  con- 
venient for  the  delegates  of  the  churches  attending  the 
Association.  It  w^as  agreed  that  a  convention  com- 
posed of  delegates  from  the  churches  meet  with  the 
Pleasant  Hill  church,  near  Tupelo,  to  deliberate  on  the 
question  on  Saturday  before  the  first  Sunday  in  No- 
vember, 1884. 

The  convention  met  at  the  time  and  place  desig- 
nated by  the  Judson  Association,  and  was  duly  organ- 
ized by  electing  James  J.  Andrews  chairman,  J.  AI.  Cook 
acting  as  their  secretar^^  About  thirty  churches  were 
represented,  and  all  but  two   had   been  instructed  for 


HISTORY    OF    MISSISSIPPI    BAPTISTS.  ll^l 

'"division.''  The  question  of  "division''  was  carried 
unanimously,  and  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad  was 
made  the  dividing  line.  The  churches  east  of  the  rail- 
road were  to  be  the  Judson  Association,  and  those  west 
of  it  were  to  form  a  new  association,  which  they  were 
requested  to  callWest  Judson  Association.  This  action 
of  the  convention  was  reported  to  the  Judson  Associa- 
tion in  1885.  Rev.  Rus.  O.  Beene  was  recognized  as  a 
messenger  from  the  West  Judson  Association. 

The  churches  that  went  into  the  constitution  of  the 
West  Judson  Association  composed  the  second  district 
of  the  Judson  Association,  nameW :  Guntown,  Poplar 
Springs,  Camp  Creek,  Oak  Hill  ( Pontotoc  county  ),Sal- 
tillo,  New  Prospect  (Union  county),  Zion  Hill,  Pilgrims 
Rest,  Mt.  Gilead,  Hebron,  Pleasant  \'alley,  Tupelo, 
Birmingham,  Locust  Hill,  Uclatubba,  Zion  and  Long- 
view.  The  new  association  was  composed  of  seventeen 
churches,  which  had  a  grand  total  of  1,625  members. 

The  first  session  of  the  West  Judson  Association 
was  held  with  the  church  at  Tupelo,  beginning  Septem- 
ber 24,  1885.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preached 
by  A.  B.  Smith,  after  which  J.  D.  Barton  was  called  to 
the  chair  preparator3^  to  permanent  organization. 
J.  M.  Smith  was  chosen  clerk,  pro  tem.  The  articles  of 
faith,  rules  of  decorum,  etc.,  of  the  Judson  Association 
were  adopted. 

The  new  association  then  went  into  permanent  or- 
ganization b}^  electing  J.  D.  Barton  moderator,  J.  M. 
Smith,  clerk,  and  G.  M.  Phillips,  treasurer. 

A  number  of  committees  were  api^ointed  and  re- 
])orted  at  that  sitting  of  the  body,  prominent  among 
which  was  the  Committee  on  Co-operation  with  the 
State  Board.  The  report  was  in  the  shape  of  pream- 
bles and  resolutions.     Co-operation  with   the  Conven- 


11 42  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

tion  Board  was  decided  upon  on  the  new  plan  of  work 
inaugurated  by  the  convention  that  year  in  Aberdeen, 
and  the  amount  wished  by  the  West  Judson  Associa- 
tion they  agreed  to  raise.  The  Association  adjourned 
to  meet  with  the  Mt.  Gilead  church  on  Thursday  before 
the  fourth  Sunday  in  September,  1886. 

The  associational  year  1887  and  1888,  was  a  year 
of  remarkable  ingathering  by  the  churches.  The  total 
number  received  bj-  the  churches  by  baptism  that  year 
was  166,  and  b^-  letter  77.  The  churches  of  the  body 
had  an  aggregate  membership  of  1,887.  In  1S88,  J.  D. 
Barton  was  moderator,  J.  M.  Smith,  clerk,  and  G.  M. 
Phillips,  treasurer.  In  1889,  the  clerk  and  treasurer 
were  re-elected,  and  A.  B.  Smith  chosen  moderator. 

Between  1885  and  1890,  or  in  the  first  five  years  of 
the  history  of  the  West  Judson  Association,  there  w^as 
an  increase  of  three  churches  and  319  members.  Their 
territory  was  well  supplied  with  churches  when  the 
Association  was  constituted,  and  an  increase  of  a  large 
number  of  churches  was  not  to  be  expected.  The  pas- 
tors of  the  chu!rches  of  the  West  Judson  Association 
were  men  of  fine  evangelical  spirit  and  had  in  former 
3^ears  done  their  work  well.  They  were:  W.  A.  MaA^o. 
L.  R.  Burress,  J.  T.  Pitts,  J.  D.  Barton,  A.  B.  Smith, 
R.  O.  Beene,  T.  Smith,  D.  J.  Austin,  and  W.  F.  Davis. 

In  1890,  the  Pleasant  Ridge  church  was  the  largest 
in  the  Association,  having  210  members.  Five  other 
churches  had  more  than  100  membership,  Poplar 
Springs  having  162,  Oak  Hill  148,  Locust  Hill  154,  Mt. 
Gilead  115,  and  Camp  Creek  126.  The  Zion  Hill  was  . 
the  smallest,  having  only  16  members. 

During  the  associational  3^ear  of  1889  and  1890, 
J.  T.  Pitts  was  missionary  in  their  bounds.  His  work 
began   on   the  first  day  of  January,  1890.     His  work 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1143 

began  l^y  presenting  to  the  churches  the  plan  of  the  As- 
sociation, of  ha  vmg  a  missionary  society  in  each  church. 
He  reported  that  about  Lne-third  of  the  churches  had 
adopted  the  plan,  other  churches  having  other  ways  of 
doing  their  work.  All  of  the  churches  had  missionary 
societies  but  six.  J.  T.  Pitts  traveled  1,525  miles, 
preached  106  sermons,  delivered  34  lectures,  and  visited 
all  the  churches  of  the  Association  three  times,  except 
one. 

In  1890,  B.  F.  Whitten  was  their  moderator,  J.  M. 
Smith,  clerk,  and  G.  M,  Phillips,  treasurer.  The  Clay- 
ton Ridge  church,  near  the  town  of  Pontotoc,  was  re- 
ceived that  year  into  the  union.  There  were  ten  ordained 
ministers  in  their  churches.  Their  Executive  Board  con- 
sisted of  one  member  from  each  church. 

Among  the  deaths  reported  that  year  by  the  churches 
was  the  decease  of  IMrs.  Milly  Milam.  She  was  a  sister 
of  Henr\',  Joshua,  and  John  Pitts,  of  Cherry  Creek 
church,  and  was  well  known  in  that  part  of  the  State. 
She  was  a  member  of  Oak  Hill  church  (Pontotoc  Co.), 
and  was  recognized  as  a  woman  of  choice  piety,  and 
Christian  zeal.  She  would  sometimes  "overflow"  in 
protracted  meeting,  but  ever^'one  knew  that  her  feeling 
was  genuine,  iind  respected  her  joyful  exclamation.  She 
was  next  to  a  mother  to  the  writer  of  these  pages,  and 
it  affords  him  ]5leasure  to  speak  of  her  in  this  histori- 
cal work. 

The  session  of  1891  was  held  with  the  Zion  Hill 
church,  in  Union  county,  beginning  September  1st.  The 
church  at  Blue  Springs,  on  the  K.  C.  and  B.  Railway', 
was  received  into  the  bod3\  J.  D.  Barton  was  elected 
moderator.  Theclerkand  the  treasurer  of  the  previous 
3'ear  were  re-elected.  J.  T.  Christian,  Corresponding 
Sccrctarv   of  the  Convention  Board,  was  with  them 


1144  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

He  requested  the  Association  to  double  the  contribu- 
tions to  missions  that  year. 

The  Treasurer  of  the  Executive  Board  reported  that 
he  had  received  from  their  churches  $200.00  for  asso- 
ciational  missions,  and  had  turned  it  over  to  their  mis- 
sionary. J.  I.  Wade  was  appointed  by  the  Association 
to  take  subscriptions  for  the  Home  Field,  and  T.  R. 
Atkins  for  the  Foreign  Mission  Journal.  Thirty-one 
subscribers  were  received  for  the  Home  Field  and 
twenty-six  for  the  Foreign  Mission  Journal. 

The  session  of  1892  met  with  the  church  of  Gun- 
town  on  Tuesday  before  the  first  Sunday  in  September. 
The  Association  was  corresponding  with  the  Judson, 
Tishoiiiingo,  and  Aberdeen  associations,  and  with  the 
State  and  Southern  Conventions. 

An  old  debt  contracted  with  their  missionary  in 
1889  w^as  still  unpaid,  and  was  in  the  way  of  their  as- 
sociational  missions,  but  how  to  raise  the  money  they 
did  not  know.  The  debt  originally  amounted  to 
■$200.00.  In  1893  it  was  recommended  that  special 
effort  be  made  to  raise  the  amovmt  due  at  as  early  a 
day  as  possible,  that  they  might  go  forward  with  their 
-work.  The  following  year,  it  was  found  that  $30.75 
had  been  paid  on  the  debt,  which,  with  other  payments 
reduced  the  debt  to  $135.80.  Of  this  amount  $77.50 
WctS  raised  at  once,  reducing  the  debt  to  $58.30.  Other 
private  subscriptions  were  taken  amounting  to  $13.50, 
which  further  reduced  their  indebtedness  to  $44.80. 
This  placed  the  debt  where  they  could  easily  licj[uidate  it. 

The  session  of  1893  was  held  with  the  Tupelo 
church,  S.  G.  Cooper  being  the  pastor.  The  introduc- 
tory sermon  was  preached  by  R.  A.  Yenable.  J.  L. 
Turnage  was  chosen  moderator,  T.  A.  J.  Beasle3%  clerk, 
and  J.  W.  KcA'S,  treasurer.    The  session  ot  1894  was 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1145 

held  with  Mt.  Gilead  church,  Union  county.  A.  V.  Rowe 
was  with  them.  T.  A.J.  Beasley  was  chosen  modera- 
tor, D.  C.  Lan^ston,  clerk,  and  T.  E.  Riclie\',  treasurer. 

In  1894-,  there  were  19  churches  in  the  West  Judson 
with  an  aggregate  membership  of  1,961.  In  1897,  they 
had  21  churches,  which  had  a  total  of  2,238  members. 
Pleasant  Ridge  was  the  largest  church  having  a  mem- 
bership of  240.  Camp  Creek  had  200  members,  Oak 
Hill  159,  and  Zion  Hill  158.  In  1894,  the  Tupelo  church 
was  tirst  in  missionary  contributions,  giving  to  For- 
eign missions  $26.75.  Camp  Creek  gave  $25.00  to 
Home  missions.  Tupelo  was  the  only  church  contribut- 
ing to  ministerial  education,  giving  $10.00  to  that  oIj- 
ject.  The  table  of  contributions  of  1894  looks  barren. 
But  in  1897,  its  appearance  is  attractive.  They  gave 
to  General  missions  $69.10,  to  State  missions  $51.75, 
to  Ministeral  education  $83.61,  to  Associational  mis- 
sions $48.50,  to  Foreign  missions  $87.61,  Home  mis- 
sions $78.00.  This  Wcis  a  splendid  showing.  Twelve 
churches  gave  to  Foreign  missions,  and  eight  to  Home 
missions. 

The  session  of  1895  was  held  in  the  month  of  Au- 
gust with  the  church  at  old  Birmingham.  This  was  the 
eleventh  session  of  the  body.  T.  A.  J.  BeaslcA^  was 
chosen  moderator,  D.  C.  Langston,  clerk,  and  T.  E. 
Richey,  treasurer.     The  usual  reports  were  read. 

The  board  of  associational  missions  reported  that 
the  Association  was  being  well  supplied  with  preach- 
ing. All  the  churches  had  preaching  once  a  month,  and 
some  of  them  oftener.  The  sum  of  $68.80  had  been  paid 
on  the  old  debt  of  the  board  reported  at  their  meeting 
at  Mt.  Gilead,  which  was  then  $135.80,  leaving  a 
balance  unpaid  of  $67.00.  After  the  report  was  made 
it    was  learned    that    $30.00    had    been  sent   bv  the 


1146  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

churches  for  the  associational  fund,  and  a  collection- 
was  taken  of  $22.75,  which  iDrought  the  old  debt  down 
to  a  small  consideration. 

The  Association  of  1895  adjourned  to  meet  with 
the  Locust  Hill  church  on  Tuesday-  before  the  first  Sun- 
day in  Septeml^er,  1896.  T.  A.  ].  Beasley  was  to 
preach  the  introductory  sermon. 

In  1897,  their  pastors  were,  J.  A.  Landers,  L.  R. 
Burress,  A.  J.  Osborn,  T.  A.  J.  Beasley,  S.  W.  Price, 
Isaac  Smith,  J.  H.  Jenkins,  I.  P.  Randolph,  John  Thomp- 
son, C.  W.  Smith,  S.  G.  Cooper,  and  W.  J.  Epting. 
The  body  met  that  year  with  Pleasant  Ridge  church, 
Union  county.  S.  G.  Cooper  was  moderator,  T.  O. 
Randle,  clerk,  and  J.  I.  Wade,  treasurer.  Good  reports 
were  read  on  Sunday  schools.  P'oreign  missions.  Home, 
and  State  missions.  Temperance  and  Education. 

The  fourteenth  annual  session  of  the  West  Judson 
was  held  with  the  Camp  Creek  church,  beginning  Au- 
gust 30,  1898.  T.  A.  J.  Beasle3'  was  elected  moderator, 
T.  O.  Randle,  clerk,  and  T.  E.  Richey,  treasurer.  The 
Fellowship  and  New  Harmon^'  churches  were  received 
into  the  union.  Among  the  distinguished  visitors  were 
A.  V.  Rowe,  L.  R.  Burress,  H.  AI.  Long,  Frank  Souter 
and  W.  L.  Souter. 

In  the  report  on  State  missions  we  find  this  lan- 
guage: "We  urge  the  pastors  and  churchesof  this  Asso- 
ciation to  enlarged  contributions  to  this  great  cause. 
We  must  not  fail  to  take  and  hold  important  points  in 
country  and  town,  where  our  cause  has  not  been 
planted.  To  relax  our  efforts  at  home  would  not  only 
entail  loss  on  our  State,  but  would  be  disastrous  to  the 
cause  of  missions  in  other  lands." 

We  give  this  excerpt  from  their  report  on  the  Orphan- 
age:    "  We  feel  that  such  a  home  is  needed  in  our  State, 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  114-T' 

cind  we  would  give  of  our  means  for  the  support  of  the 
same.  We  beHeve  the  ehildren,  who  are  left  without 
homes,  should  be  taken  eare  of,  and  we  feel  that  this  is 
a  duty  falling  on  us  as  Baptists  to  eare  for  them.  The 
Home  is  opened  to  all,  whatever  may  have  been  the 
religious  faith  of  their  parents.'' 

The  session  of  1899  was  held  with  the  Longview 
church  of  Pontotoc  eounty.  The  moderator  and  clerk 
of .  the  previous  session  were  re-elected,  and  J.  I.  Wade 
elected  treasurer.  The  usual  reports  were  before  the 
body. 

In  1899,  there  were  22  churches  in  the  fraternity, 
which  had  a  total  membership  of  2,14-2.  The  churches 
gave  that  year  to  State  missions  $36.90,  to  Ministerial 
Education  $149.95,  to  Foreign  missions  $210.20,  and 
to  Home  missions  $60.12. 

The  session  of  1900  was  held  with  the  Oak  Hill 
church,  S.  G.  Cooper  preached  the  introductory  ser- 
mon from  Ejjhesians  2:19.  T.  A.  J.  Beasley  was  elected 
to  preside  over  the  body,  I.  P.  Randolph,  clerk,  and  A. 
F.  Golding,  treasurer.  A.  \\  Rowe,  and  L.  R.  Burress 
were  among  the  prominent  visitors.  The  usual  num- 
ber of  committees  reported. 

The  increase  made  by  the  West  Judson  Association 
in  numl)ers  and  contril)utions  in  the  sixteen  years  of 
its  existence  to  the  close  of  the  century  is  both  gratifv- 
ing  and  exceptional.  The  growth  of  the  institution 
was  steady  and  healthy,  and  their  w^ork  was  in  hand 
for  the  greater  part  of  the  time.  Few  associations, 
composed  so  largely  of  country  churches,  have  made 
such  marked  ])rogress.  I'nljrokcn  harmony  of  action 
distinguishes  the  years  of  their  histor}'.  May  the  God 
cind  Father  of  our  Savior  ever  l)less  their  homes,  and 
crown  their  labors  with  alnuidant  success. 


1148  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 

COPIAH  ASSOCIATION. 

The  Association  was,  as  its  name  indicates,  formed 
of  churches  of  Copiah  county.  The  Minutes  of  first 
three  sessions  are  missing.  But  we  feel  safe  in  giving  the 
following  quotation  from  Baptist  Annals  :  "  On  No- 
vember eleventh,  (1887),  the  Copiah  Association  was 
formed  at  Hazlehurst  of  four  churches,  Hazlehurst, 
Damascus,  County  Line,  and  Cr\^stal  Springs.  *  *  *  * 
The  formation  of  the  Association  \vas  thought  b3'  these 
churches  to  be  a  convenience,  and  also  promotive  ot 
their  development  in  missionary  work.  The  ministry 
had  little  to  do  with  the  movement.  It  was  insisted 
upon  by  such  men  as  H.  C.  Conn,  I.  N.  Ellis,  J.  D.  Gran- 
berry  and  G.  W.  Miller,  and  is  largely  indebted  to  them 
for  its  efficiency  and  success.*' 

In  1887,  W.  A.  Mason  was  elected  moderator,  J.  D. 
Granberry,  clerk,  and  J.  J.  Lackey,  treasurer.  The 
moderator  and  clerk  w^ere  continued  in  their  respective 
offices  for  the  two  succeeding  years.  In  1889,  J.  A.  Bass 
succeeded  J.  J.  Lackey  as  treasurer.  The  session  of  1888 
was  held  with  County  Line  church,  beginning  the  fourth 
■of  October,  and  the  session  of  1889,  at  Crystal  Springs, 
beginning  on  the  second  day  of  October. 

The  session  of  1890  was  held  with  the  Damascus 
church,  beginning  Friday,  October  third.  W.  A.  Mason, 
the  moderator  of  the  previous  session  of  the  body,  was 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1149 

re-elected.  J.  D.  Granberry  was  chosen  clerk,  and  J.  A. 
Bass,  treasurer.  Baron  D.  Gra\',  then  pastor  at  Hazlc- 
hurst,  was  appointed  a  delegate  to  the  Southern  Bap- 
tist Convention. 

The  institution  was  then  composed  of  eleven 
churches,  which  gave  that  ^-ear  to  Foreign  missions 
$246.50,  to  Home  missions  $180  00,  and  to  State 
missions  $283.70.  The  pastors  of  the  churches  were,  I. 
H.  Anding  of  Bethel,  and  Gallman,  W.  H.  Williams  of 
County  Line,  W.  A.  Mason  of  Cr^^stal  Springs,  B.  D. 
Gray  of  Hazelhurst,  A.  A.  Lomax  of  Hopewell,  J.  E. 
Thigpen  of  Damascus,  Harmon3'  and  Spring  Hill,  S. 
Morris  of  Sardis,  and  R.  H.  Purser  of  Wesson. 

R.  H.  Purser  in  his  report  on  missions  made  three 
recommendations:  "First,  that  this  important  duty 
be  often  placed  before  the  churches;  second,  that  it  be 
made  a  part  of  our  Sunday  school  work,  and  third,  that 
each  Christian  in  the  Association  ask  the  Lord  for  a 
place  in  this  wide  field  of  usefulness." 

CloseH'  related  to  these  recommendations  was  the 
report  made  In^  L  N.  Ellis  as  to  plan  of  operations : 
"First,  every  church  should  endeavor  to  get  a  contri- 
bution from  every  member ;  second ,  contributions  should 
be  regular  and  systematic,  and  third,  no  general  plan 
can  be  devised  that  will  suit  ever3'  church,  but  each 
church  should  have  some  plan  best  suited  to  its  sur- 
roundings, and  see  to  it  that  it  is  faithfully  carried  out." 

Thus  it  is  seen  that  the  Copiah  Association,  in  the 
infanc3'  of  the  institution,  was  earnestly  searching  for 
the  best  means  of  internal  development,  and  the  best 
plans  suited  to  their  peculiar  conditions,  for  the  enlarge- 
ment of  their  contributions  to  the  various  benevolences 
fostered  b^-  them.  In  the  body  were  some  of  the  best 
churches  in  our  State,  which  had  strong  and  useful  men 
as  their  pastors. 


1150  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Their  fifth  annual  session  was  held  with  the  Hope- 
well church,  beginning  October  2,  1891.  A.  A.  Lomax 
was  elected  moderator,  I.  H.  Anding,  clerk,  and  J.  A. 
Bass,  treasurer.  A.  A.  Lomax  was  continued  as  moder- 
ator to  1893  inclusive,  and  I.  H.  Anding  as  clerk  through 
the  session  of  1895,  J.  A.  Bass  as  treasurer  for  th,e  same 
length  of  time. 

The  Association  seemed,  in  1891,  to  be  much  inter- 
ested in  the  centennial  of  Baptist  missions.  At  the 
close  of  a  well  worded  report  on  the  subject,  read  by  I. 
H.  Anding,  were  fiv^  strong  resolutions.  The  gist  of 
these  resolutions  was,  that  the  fifth  Sundaj^  meetings 
be  used  to  advance  this  interest,  that  the  Executive 
Board  prepare  suitable  programs  for  these  occasions, 
that  they  raise  $1,000.00  to  support  one  missionary  in 
the  Foreign  field,  that  they  pra\^  God  for  one  mission- 
ary from  their  Association  to  the  Foreign  field,  and  that 
the3^  give  their  collections  to  Januar3^  of  the  .following 
year  to  Foreign  missions. 

Their  meeting  in  1892  was  with  the  church  at  Wes- 
son. The  twelve  churches  were  represented  by  71  dele- 
gates. The  churches  had,  during  the  associational  3'ear, 
given  $1,511.45  to  general  benevolence,  and  $638.35 
to  other  objects.  The  woman's  societies  had  raised 
$593.68.  This  was  a  splendid  financial  report  for  so 
small  a  bod\'. 

The  twelve  churches  reported  eight  Sunda3'  schools 
with  598  pupils,  while  the  twelve  churches  had  a  total 
membership  of  2,210.  The  total  attendance  upon  their 
Sunda3^  schools  was  onU'  about  one  fourth  the  number 
of  their  membership.  Their  Sunday  schools  used  Kind 
Words,  and  the  publications  of  the  Sunda3^  School 
Board  at  Nashville,  Tenn.  We  shall  watch  their  Sun- 
day school  work  with  much  interest. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1151 

Thiit  the  position  of  the  Assoeiatioii  on  the  tem])er- 
ance  Cjuestion  may  be  well  understood,  we  give  the  fol- 
lowing resolution  passed  b}'  the  body  in  1892 : 

''Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  the  Assoeiation, 
that  for  any  minister  or  ehurch  member  to  visit  saloons, 
drink  intoxieants  as  a  beverage,  sign  whisky  jDetitions, 
go  on  whisky  dealer's  iDonds,  vote  for  thesaleof  li(|uors, 
or  in  anyway  encourage  or  countenance  the  traffic  of 
intoxicating  liquors  is  grossly  unchristian  conduct  that 
should  be  brought  under  the  strictest  ;ind  kindest 
church  d i scipline . ' " 

In  1893,  they  met  with  the  Gallman  church.  Three 
prominent  visitors  at  that  meeting  of  the  bod\' were, 
J.  A.  Hackett,  Editor  of  the  Baptist  Record,  II.  F. 
Sproles,  pastor  of  the  Jackson  church,  and  B.  X.  Hatch, 
Sunday  school  evangelist  of  the  Convention  Board. 

J.  A.  Hackett  was  a  familiar  figure  in  that  part  or 
the  State,  and  much  loved  1)3'  the  jjeople.  H.  F.  Sjiroles 
was  pleading  for  contriljutions  for  the  Jackson  church 
building,  and  was  given  a  contribution  of  $331.50  to 
be  paid  in  annuid  installments  within  five  years.  B.  X. 
Hatch  was  pressing  the  general  Sunda\'  school  cause, 
for  whicli  he  received  pledges  amounting  to  $28.50. 

In  the  report  on  Sunday  schools,  it  was  said  that  it 
was  the  duty  of  each  church  in  the  l)od\'  to  have  a  well 
equipped  Sunday  school,  composed  of  the  entire  niem- 
hershij)  of  thii  church,  males  and  females,  olda'nd  3'oung, 
and  that  the  Sunda\'  school  should  last  through  the 
3'-ear.  The  action  of  the  Convention  Board  in  putting 
B.  X.  Hatch  into  the  field  as  Sundav  school  evangelist 
was  heartilv  endorsed.  Seven  (7)  Sunda\'  schools  were 
reported. 

Five  churches  were  re])orted  that  year  as  contribut- 
ing to  State  missions,  and  gave  $232.40  to  that  object 


1152  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

four  gave  to  Home  missions  $79.70,  and  four  to  For- 
eign missions  $1 95.90,  with  four  others  giving  to  General 
missions  $199,40.  Ten  of  the  twelve  churches  con- 
tributed to  missions  amounts  varv^ing  from  $5.00  to 
$112.50. 

The  eighth  annual  session  of  the  body  was  held  with 
the  Harmony  church.  J.  E.  Thigpen  was  elected  moder- 
ator, which  position  he  occupied  through  the  session  ot 
1897.  The  churches  reported  an  increase  of  136  mem- 
bers, giving  their  grand  total  as  2,346  members,  males 
and  ferrales.  Nine  of  the  twelve  churches  reported  Sun- 
day schools  with  the  enrollments  of  941  pupils.  Thus 
it  is  seen  that  in  two  years  the  number  of  pupils  in  their 
Sunday  schools  had  increased  from  598  to  941,  or  343 
pupils,  which  is  highlj'^  praiseworth3%  and  rather  re- 
markable. Still  the  number  of  Sunday  school  pupils  en- 
rolled was  1,405  less  than  the  total  membership  of  the 
churches. 

The  most  kindlj''  sympathy  was  extended  to  A.  A. 
Lomax  in  his  bereavement  over  the  loss  of  his  child, 
Clyde.  How^  sweet  to  the  heart  is  the  memory  of  such 
tender  expressions  made  to  one  in  his  grief,  but  how" 
ineffectual  in  mitigating  the  deep  soul-sorrows  in  the 
lone  hour  of  great  loss. 

In  1895,  their  twelve  churches  received  by  baptism 
124,  and  by  letter  115.  The  church  at  Wesson  received 
that  year  60  by  baptism  and  38  by  letter.  The  Wesson 
church  was  the  largest  church  in  the  bodj',  having  a 
membership  of  808.  The  Crystal  Springs  church  fol- 
lowed with  an  enrollment  of  253.  The  total  member- 
ship of  the  churches  was  2,293. 

Their  churches  gave  that  year  to  Pastor's  Salary 
$4,295.00,  to  the  General  Fund  $138.30,  to  State  mis- 
sions $273.39,  to  Home  missions  $286.07,  to  Foreign 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1153- 

missions  $4-2S.17,  to  Ministerial  Education  $175.94,  to 
vSouthern  Baptist  Theological  Seminary  $40.30,  and  to 
Mississippi  College  $866.50,  besides  smaller  amounts 
to  general  objects.  The  showing  was  a  grand  one,  and 
exceedingh"  pleasing  to  the  eye. 

Two  new  Sunday  schools  were  reported,  which  left 
onh'  one  church  in  the  organization  without  a  Sunday 
school.  But  while  this  is  true,  this  was  a  church  which 
reported  the  year  belore  a  Sunday  school  of  86  pupils. 
It  is  fair  to  suppose  that  the  church  failed  to  report  its 
Sunda3^  school  work  to  the  Association.  The  holding 
of  a  Sunday  school  institute  in  the  Association  was 
recoinmended. 

Eight  churches  of  the  twelve  reported  woman's 
missionary  societies,  nearly  all  of  which  showed  good 
interest  in  their  work.  These  societies  gave  special  at- 
tention to  the  needs  of  the  ministerial  students  in  Mis- 
sissippi college. 

A  stirring  report  was  made  by  a  standing  commit- 
tee on  Colportage.  It  was  thought  advisal)le  to  begin 
this  work  in  the  Association  at  once,  if  possible,  and  the 
amount  of  $137.00  apportioned  to  the  several  churches 
to  he  contributed  within  a  year  to  Colportage.  A  sub- 
committee was  raised,  consisting  of  J.  E.  Thigpen,  I. 
N.  Ellis,  and  J.  K.  Pace,  whose  dut\'  it  should  be.  to 
elect  a  suitable  man  to  do  their  colportage  work,  to 
designate  the  fteld,  and  to  secure  the  best  terms  [possi- 
ble on  religious  literature. 

The  pastors  of  their  churches  then  were,  J.  C.  Far- 
rar,  J.  J.  Green,  I.  H.  Anding,  J.  E.  Thigpen,  W.  F.  Yar' 
borough,  J.  K.  Pace,  R.  W.  Hall,  and  R.  H.  Purser- 
Five  of  the  churches  had  weekh'  pra^'cr  meetings,  and 
one  a  monthly  pra\'er  meeting. 

The  tenth  annual  session  was  held  with  the  Sardis 


1154  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI    BAPTISTS. 

church,  eight  miles  southeast  of  Hazlehurst.  The  meet- 
ing was  on  Octoloer  1,  1896.  N.  T.  Nichols  was  chosen 
clerk,  and  J.  C.  White  treasurer.  The  devotional  exer- 
cises were  conducted  by  John  P.  Hemb\'.  Special  prayer 
was  made  for  R.  W.  Hall,  pastor  or  the  Sardis  church, 
who  was  confined  to  his  room  with  a  severe  illness.  R. 
W.  Hall  was  a  man  of  rare  natural  endowments,  and 
was  a  preacher  of  marked  abilitj-. 

R.  H.  Purser  was  appointed  a  committee  of  one  to 
prepare  a  suitable  "memoriam"  of  J.  A.  Bass,  who  had 
gone  to  his  reward  April  20,  1896.  J.  A.  Bass  was 
treasurer  of  the  Association  from  its  third  session  in 
1889  to  1895  inclusive.  It  is  said  that  he  was  "an 
honest  man,  a  devout  Christian  and  exemplar3'  char- 
acter." It  was  the  pleasure  of  the  writer  to  knov^'  him, 
and  at  one  time  to  enjoy  the  hospitality, of  his  home. 
Pie  was  a  man  of  great  common  sense,  not  devoid  of 
humor,  and  of  great  faithfulness  in  the  discharge  of  his 
Christian  duties. 

The  standing  committee  on  colportage  reported 
that  bibles,  testaments,  and  other  religious  books  had 
been  bought  through  the  year  costing  $84.40.  S.  J.  M. 
Bullock  had  been  secured  as  colporter,  who  had  sold 
100  bibles  and  testaments,  and  nearh^  as  many  religious 
books.  It  was  thought  wise  to  have  a  fund  of  $150.00 
to  be  invested  in  this  work,  and  the  churches  asked  to 
put  this  amount  in  their  treasur3^ 

There  was  a  slight  decline  in  the  contributions  of  the 
churches  that  year;  but  an  increase  of  thirty  members* 
making  the  grand  total  of  their  enrollment  2,423. 
Eight  churches  had  woman's  societies,  and  these  re- 
ported $581.56  collected  for  various  objects.  Nearly 
all  the  churches  composing  the  bod\'  had  Sunday 
schools. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1155 

The  session  of  1897  was  held  with  the  County-  Line 
church,  is  about  four  and  a  half  miles  north  of  Cr\'stal 
Springs.  At  that  time  P.  A.  Haman  was  pastor  at 
Count}-  Line,  W.  F.  Yarborough  was  iit  Cr^-stal  Springs, 
J.  K.  Pace  at  Hazlehurst,  J.  P.  Hemby  was  pastor  of 
two  churches,  and  J.  E.  Thigpen  two.  The  other  pas- 
tors were,  J.  C.  Farrar,  A.  B.  Hill,  and  R.  H.  Purser, 
long  the  pastor  at  Wesson. 

The  session  of  1897  was  not  held  until  December 
2nd.  In  the  fall  of  that  j^ear,  the  yellow  fever  fright 
was  menacing  eveiy  noble  interest.  When  the  body  did 
convene,  it  was  under  unfavorable  conditions.  The 
weather  was  (juite  inclement.  Only  nine  of  the  twelve 
churches  were  represented.  The  Vice-President  of  the 
Woman's  Missionary  Societies  of  the  Association,  Airs. 
Hattie  WcIdId  Granberrr,  was  deterred  by  the  bad 
weather  from  attending  the  meeting  of  the  Association, 
and  had  jjrinted  an  open  letter  on  the  progress  of  the 
Avork  under  her  supervision. 

Committees  made  good  rei)orts  on  the  subjects  that 
usualh'  claimed  their  attention,  viz  :  Missions,  Educa- 
tion, Sustentation,  Publications,  Temperance,  Woman's 
Work,  and  the  Orphanage.  Total  contributions  ot  the 
year  for  missions  and  education  were  $1,222.05.  The 
contributions  of  the  women  amounted  to  $4-73.95. 

W.  F.  Yarl)orough,  learned,  young,  and  useful,  was 
not  with  them  after  this  session.  He  left  them  to  be- 
come pastor  at  Jackson,  Miss. 

At  the  session  of  1898,  held  in  Hazlehurst,  K.  H. 
Purser  was  elected  moderator,  J.  P.  Hemby,  clerk,  and 
J.  C.  White,  treasurer.  The  right  hand  of  fellowship 
was  given  to  the  delegates  of  three  churches,  the  Smyr- 
na church  from  the  Union  Association,  Sylvarena.  and 
New  Zion.    A.  V.  Kowe  was  with  them,  representing 


1156  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

the  Convention  Board,  J.  R.  Johnston  from  the  Strong: 
River  Association,  and  J.  A.  Hackett  of  the  Chickasa- 
hay,  while  J.  B.  Searc\^  represented  The  Baptist. 

In  their  report  on  pubHcation,  gratification  was 
expressed  that  the  Record  and  the  Layman  had  been 
merged  into  one  paper.  The  Baptist,  and  the  paper  w'as 
recommended  to  the  readers  of  rehgious  newspapers  in 
the  Association. 

The  churches  contributed  in  1898,  to  missions  $1,- 
333.98,  to  education  $328.29,  and  to  other  purposes 
$435.44,  and  the  Sunday  schools  $193.69. 

This  was  the  last  3^ear  that  J.  K.  Pace  was  with  the 
delegates  of  the  Association  in  annual  meeting.  Of  all 
the  noble,  useful  and  easih'  adjusted  men  who  have 
come  to  our  State  to  aid  us  in  our  arduous  work,  none 
have  surpassed  this  versatible  man.  He  was  genial, 
companionable,  sensible,  and  consecrated.  His  depart- 
ure from  our  State  was  generally  regretted,  and 
especially  b^^  those  who  knew^  him  best,  his  co-laborers 
in  the  Copiah  Association. 

The  name  of  R.  H.  Purser  was  missing  in  the  list 
of  delegates  to  the  Association  from  Wessen  the  follow- 
ing year.  He  had  not  left  the  State,  but  had  left  Wes- 
son, He  w^as  so  interwoven  with  the  religious  life  of 
Wesson,  that  one  only  with  an  effort  of  the  mind  can 
think  of  them  apart.  To  know  him  is  to  love  him,  and 
many  people  know  him.  He  is  as  modest  as  a  woman, 
as  innocent  as  a  child,  but  as  energetic  as  a  Wall  Street 
broker. 

The  session  of  1899  began  August  31st.  Many  of 
the  Associations  convened  early  that  3^ear,  so  as  to 
complete  their  work  before  the  appearance  of  3'ellow 
fever,  if,  indeed,  it  should  appear.  J.  W.  Didlake  of 
Crj'stal  Springs  was  made  moderator,  J.  P.  Hemby, 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS,  1157 

clerk,  iind  J.  C.  White,  treasurer.  The  meeting  was 
with  the  Bethel  church,  eight  miles  east  of  Hazlehurst. 
This  was  the  thirteenth  annual  session,  but  the  only 
calamit3',  that  is  known  to  have  overtaken  it  was  the 
loss  of  the  good  men  referred  to  above.  There  was 
still  left  to  the  body  such  good  and  useful  men  as  J.  C. 
Farrar,  J.  P.  Hemby  and  J.  E.  Thigpen,  and  W,  A.  AIc- 
Comb  had  become  pastor  at  Crj^stal  Springs. 

All  of  the  fifteen  churches  were  represented  except 
the  Zion  Hill,  and  good  reports  were  read  on  all  the 
topics  usually  placed  before  the  bodj-,  and  the  contribu- 
tions of  the  churches  as  large  as  usual.  If  there  was  at 
that  time,  or  had  been  in  all  the  existence  of  the  Asso- 
ciation, any  friction  between  any  of  the  associated  mem- 
bers, both  written  page  and  tongue  have  been  silent  as 
to  the  matter.  It  was  a  working  body,  and  bus}- hands 
go  with  a  ({uiet  tongue. 

The  session  of  1900  was  held  with  the  New  Zion 
church,  which  is  six  miles  west  of  Crystal  Springs, 
J.  C.  Thigpen  was  elected  moderator,  J.  P.  Hemby, 
clerk,  and  D.  M.  Miller,  treasurer. 

The  pastors  "of  the  Association  in  the  last  year  of 
the  century  were,  K.  H.  Purser,  W.  S.  Rogers,  W.  A. 
McComb,  J.  E.  Thigpen,  J.  L.  Low,  A.  J.  Fawcett,  W. 
E.  Hathhom,  J.  P.  Hemby,  B.  X.  Hatch,  and  G.  W. 
Farmer. 

Twelve  of  the  fifteen  churches  had  Sunday-  schools 
which  had  a  total  attendance  of  879  pupils.  The  total 
contributions  of  the  year  to  missions  were  $1,296.99, 
and  to  all  objects  $8,866.95.  All  the  churches  Imt  one 
had  figures  in  the  missionar3^  column  of  the  financial 
table. 

In  all  the  history  of  the  Copiah  Association  sub- 
stantial  progress  can  be  seen.     The  members   of  the 


1158  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

churches  are  hi<^hly  intelligent,  and  the  pastors  well  in- 
formed, consecrated,  and  active.  A  great  future  is 
before  the  body,  and  a  worthy  record  behind,  to  incite 
them  to  their  best  endeavors. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1159 


CHArTER  XLV. 

SIPSEY  ASSOCIATION. 

This  Association  was  formed  of  churches  in  the 
northeastern  part  of  Monroe  county,  east  of  the  Tom- 
bigbee  river.  The  churches  had  been  regular^  dis- 
missed from  the  Judson  and  Aberdeen  associations  for 
the  purpose  of  organizing  a  new  association. 

The  constituting  convention  was  held  with  the 
Harmon3^  church,  Monroe  count}^  convening  October 
14,  1887.  FrankHn  Finne^'  was  chosen  moderator, 
])ro  tem.,  and  J.  J.  Basham,  clerk.  Five  churches  were 
represented  in  the  convention :  New  Prospect,  with 
Aberdeen  as  its  postoffice ;  Center  Hill,  Cooper;  Mount 
Pleasant,  Becks;  Harmony,  Ouincy;  and  Ebenezer, 
Smithville. 

After  the  adoption  of  a  constitution,  the  new  body 
was  called  Sipse\',  and  a  permanent  organization  effected 
by  the  election  of  F.  Finne\'  moderator,  W.  L.  Pulley, 
clerk,  and  W.  H.  Ware,  treasurer.  The  rules  of  de- 
corum and  articles  of  faith  were  then  accepted,  and  the 
l)()dy  duly  organized  for  work. 

Correspondence  was  ordered  with  the  Columbus 
and  Aberdeen,  Toml)igl)ee  and  Judson  associations  of 
Mississippi,  and  Yellow  Creek  Association  of  Alabama, 
and  also  with  the  State  Convention  of  Alississippi. 
Committees  were  appointed  on  Education,  Missions, 
Nominations,  Prohibition,  Finance,  Publications,  Sun- 


1160  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

day  Schools  and  State   of   Religion.     Committees   on 
these  subjects  reported  to  the  Association  yearly. 

Upon  call,  two  more  churches,  through  their  dele- 
gates, petitioned  for  membership,  and  were  received, 
viz:  Concord  of  Quince',  and  Evergreen  of  Bexar. 

An  Executive  Board  was  dul}^  elected,  consisting  of 
J.J.  Basham,  J.F.  Hathcock,  Robert  Woods,  F.  Finne\% 
W.  F.  Ausborn,  J.  P.  Ramey,  J.  L.  Butler,  and  W.  H. 
Ware.  W.  F.  Ausborn  was  chosen  to  preach  the  next 
introductory  sermon,  and  F.  Finnex'  the  missionary 
sermon. 

The  second  annual  session  was  held  with  the  Mt. 
Pleasant  church,  Monroe  count}-,  beginning  October  19, 
1888.  The  officers  of  the  previous  session  were  re- 
elected. W.  L.  Pulley  was  chosen  as  their  delegate  to 
the  next  meeting  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention. 
The  Bethlehem  church  was  received  into  the  fraternity, 
and  all  the  churches  were  represented  except  the  Con- 
cord. 

In  the  reports  v^^e  find  some  statements  of  interest. 
Nothing  was  said  in  the  letters  of  the  churches  to  the 
Association  of  the  existence  of  a  Sunday-  school.  The 
writer  of  the  report  on  this  subject  said  that  it  was 
harder  to  keep  up  Sunday  schools  in  the  country  than 
in  the  towns,  which  is  true.  The  report  on  Missions 
was  very  short,  pending  a  discussion  of  which  a  collec- 
tion was  taken,  amounting  to  $20.35,  for  the  benefit 
of  the  Judson  church,  Detroit,  Alabama.  The  Southern 
Baptist  i?ecorc/,  of  Meridian,  Miss.,  and  The  Baptist, 
of  Memphis,  were  highly  recommended. 

The  Executive  Board  made  a  report.  F.  Finney 
had  been  their  missionary.  He  had  been  emplo^^ed 
three  months  at  a  salary  of  $25.00  a  month,  and  he 
Avas  paid  in  full  for  his  labors.    In  the  months  he  served 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1161 

the  Association,  the  weather  was  inclement.  The  peo- 
ple were  in  a  state  of  apathy  and  religious  indifference, 
and  were  not  easily  aroused.  Consequently,  the  visiljle 
results  of  his  labors  were  few.  The  Association  ad- 
journed to  meet  in  1889  with  the  Center  Hill  church. 

In  1890,  th^re  were  ten  churches  in  the  Association 
with  a  total  membership  of  472.  The  churches  received 
that  year  hy  l)aptism  21,  and  by  letter  32.  Only  one 
of  their  churches  (the  Concord),  was  in  Alabama,  but 
the  Sulligent  church  of  Alabama  was  received  that 
year.  D.  A.  Becks  was  chosen  clerk,  the  moderator 
and  treasurer  of  previous  sessions  were  re-elected. 

We  quote  from  the  report  on  Prohibition  :  "  We  be- 
lieve that  prohibition  is  doing  much  good.  We,  there- 
fore, urge  our  brethren  to  agitate  the  question  until 
there  will  not  be  a  saloon  in  the  State,  or  the  United 
States."  The  Committee  on  Literature  recommended 
The  Southern  Baptist  Record,  Baptist  and  Reflector, 
Ford's  Christian  Repository,  ^md  Kind  Words. 

The  Executive  Board  had  W.  F.  Ausborn  emploj'-ed 
as  missionaA',  paying  him  $60.00  for  his  labor.  He 
traveled  640  miles,  preached  62  sermons,  baptized  28 
persons,  received  29  b^'^  letter,  and  organized  one  church. 
This  was  a  good  showing,  after  the  gloomy  report 
made  of  their  missionary  field  the  3'ear  before.  One  of 
their  churches  (Concord),  had  been  without  a  pastor; 
the  other  churches  had  been  greatly  revived,  and  were 
cheerful  in  their  work. 

The  fifth  annual  session  of  the  Sipse\^  was  held  with 
the  church  at  Sulligent,  Ala.,  beginning  October  16, 
1891.  Franklin  Finne^^  was  elected  moderator,  D.  A. 
Becks  clerk,  and  W.  J.  Taylor,  treasurer. 

The  Association  about  this  time  made  strenuous 
effort  to  arouse  in  the  churches   an  interest  in  Sunday 


1162  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

school  work.  In  their  report  in  1891,  it  was  said  that 
"this  work  was  wofuUy  neglected."  Only  one  church 
reported  a  Sunday  school.  In  1892,  a  mass  meeting 
was  held  at  5  p.  m.  on  Sunday,  when  the  subject  was 
thoroughly  discussed.  The  subject  was  discussed  again 
at  night  with  great  vigor  and  earnestness.  No  im- 
provement in  Sunda\'-school  work  was  reported  that 
year,  which  was  deplored  In^  the  friends  of  the  work. 
The  following  year  a  like  mass  meeting  was  held  Sun- 
day morning.  In  the  report  of  that  year  on  this  subject 
it  was  said:  "We  learned  from  reading  letters  3'ester- 
day  that  many  of  our  churches  are  without  Sabbath 
schools.'"  The  report  was  amended,  asking  the  clerks 
of  the  churches  to  make  full  reports  to  the  Association 
of  their  Sunday  school.  Little  accomplished,  the  stren- 
uous effort  ceased. 

Their  missionary  work  in  the  five  years  from  1890 
to  1895,  was  also  carried  on  with  a  struggle,  and  vary- 
ing success.  The  body  was  small,  and  composed  of 
country  churches  isolated  from  our  State  by  the  Toni- 
bigbee  river,  and  effort,  consequently,  brought  small 
returns.  In  1891,  P.  W,  Cain  roue  as  their  mission-ar^^ 
He  preached  25  sermons,  and  traveled  about  200  miles, 
for  which  he  received  $50.50. 

In  1892,  H.  W.  Lantrip  was  their  missionary.  His 
labors  were  crowned  with  success.  He  rode  three 
months,  was  indefatigal)le  in  labor  and  organized  one 
church.  He  was  to  receive  $25.00  a  month,  and  was 
paid  in  full  for  his  work.  The  following  year,  he  was 
again  employed  by  their  Board.  He  reported  labors 
abundant,  preached  146  sermons,  made  eight  Sunday 
school  speeches,  secured  eight  suliscribers  for  the  Bap- 
tist Record,  sold  6,300  pages  of  religious  reading,  bap- 
tized five  persons,  received  two  by  letter,  and  traveled 
1,135  miles. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1163 

H.  J.  D.  Hendricks  was  employed  to  work  in  the 
bounds  of  their  Association  in  1894.  He  preached  90 
sermons,  traveled  800  miles,  and  baptized  two  persons. 
His  salary  was  not  promptly  paid,  which  was  a  devia- 
tion from  their  commendable  custom.  He  was  em- 
plo3'ed  the  followins^  j'ejir,  but  the  returns  from  his 
efforts  were  again  small. 

Franklin  Finney  was  moderator  in  1891  and  1892, 
W.  F.  Aus1)orn  in  1893,  P.  W.  Cain  in  1894-  and  1895. 
D.  A.  Becks  was  clerk  from  1891  to  1894,  J.  J.  Basham 
in  1894  and  1895.  In  1891,  there  were  ten  churches  in 
the  union  with  a  total  of  384  members,  male  and  fe- 
male. In  1895,  the  body  was  composed  of  eleven 
churches,  with  an  aggregate  inembership  of  463,  which 
was  a  gain  of  one  church  and  79  members  in  the  course 
ot  five  3'ears.  The  advance  was  slow,  tedious  and  toil- 
some, but  assured. 

The  ordiiined  ministers  of  the  Sipsey  Association  in 
1896,  were  J.  W.  Randolf,  Amory ;  H.  J.  D.  Hendricks, 
Splungc;  andG.  W.  Burnett,  Aberdeen.  M.  E.  Pool,  of 
Bartahatchie,  was  a  licentiate.  That  year  the  death  of 
Franklin  Finney  was  reported,  and  W.  J.  Johnson  was 
appointed  to  prepare  for  print  an  appropriate  obituar\^ 
upon  his  death.  He  had  been  for  many  years  a  usefuj 
member  of  the  Aberdeen  Association  before  the  consti- 
tution of  the  Sipsey  Association.  He  was  moderator 
of  the  constituting  convention  of  the  Sipsey  Association, 
and  the  moderator  of  its  first  sitting.  He  was  re-elected 
in  1888,  and  filled  the  position  in  1889,1890,  1891  and 
1892.  The  feebleness  of  old  age  was  then  coming  upon 
the  worn  veteran  of  the  cross.  He  died  full  of  j'-ears 
and  honored  by  all  who  knew  him  well,  the  friend  of 
man,  the  servant  of  God,  and  approved  of  Ijoth. 

Of  the  other  ministers  prominent  in  the  working  of 


1164  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

this  Association,  it  has  been  the  pleasure  of  the  writer 
to  know  W.  F.  Ausborn.  He  was  a  man  of  good,  easy 
presentation,  highly  companionable,  and  a  fine  preacher. 
His  influence  in  that  part  of  the  State  was  at  one  time 
unexcelled.  He  once  preached  a  sermon,  west  of  the 
Sipsey  Association,  on  Achan's  theft  of  the  wedge  of 
gold  that  swayed  an  exceedingly  large  congregation. 

G.  W.  Burnett,  of  Senath,  is  now  a  leading  minister 
of  the  Association.  He  was  moderator  of  the  Associa- 
tion from  1897  to  1900,  inclusive,  and  has,  perhaps, 
done  more  for  the  Association  than  any  living  man. 
He  is  wise,  prudent  and  well  informed  as  to  the  teach- 
ings of  the  Bible,  and  our  denominational  enterprises. 

The  clerks  of  the  Sipsej^  Association  from  1895  to 
1900,  were :  John  H.  Johnson  in  1896,  C.  Z.  Byrd  in 
1897  and  1898,  R.  L.  Smith  in  1899  and  1900.  Their 
treasurers  were  W.  J.  Ta^dor  in  1896,  N.  F.  Jandon  in 
1897.  After  that  date  the  clerk's  and  treasurer's  ofli- 
ces  were  combined. 

In  this  period  their  Sunda\'-school  work  was  far 
from  satisfactory  to  the  working  force  of  the  Associa- 
tion. It  seemed  impossible  to  create  interest  in  this 
cause  in  the  churches. 

No  reports  were  made  on  the  Orphanage  or  Susten- 
tation.  The  reports  on  Education  did  not  have  in  them 
a  recommendation  of  Mississippi  College.  These  omis- 
sions were  due  to  at  least  two  causes,  their  condition  of 
isolation  from  the  bodj^  of  Mississippi  Baptists  b\'  the 
natural  boundarj^  of  the  Tombigbee  river,  and  the  ab- 
sence of  the  promoters  of  our  benevolences  at  all  the 
meetings  of  their  association. 

Their  reports  on  Missions  in  this  period  were  short 
and  cautious.  In  the  report  of  1896,  it  is  said  :  "While 
we  are  strong  advocates  of  Foreign,  Home,  and   State 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1165 

missions,  we  would  present  for  the  special  consideration 
of  this  body  associational  missions."  There  was  no 
report  from  an  Executive  Board  from  1895  to  1900. 
In  1900,  E.  R.  Bradle3^  was  their  missionary.  He  re- 
ported 570  miles  traveled,  60  sermons  preached,  85 
families  visited,  and  eleven  persons  baptized.  This  was, 
under  the  circumstances,  a  good  report. 

In  1896,  the\'  had  in  their  fraternity  ten  churches 
with  a  total  membership  of  4-61 ;  in  1900,  onh'  seven 
churches  with  an  aggregate  membership  of  327  males 
and  females. 

The  territor3'  of  this  association  is  exceedingly 
small.  Just  north  of  them  is  the  Tombigbee  Associa- 
tion, which  has  no  territory'  to  spare:  \vest  of  them 
the  Judson  Association,  which  wishes  broader  limits; 
and  south  of  them  is  the  Aberdeen  Association,  whose 
bounds  have  in  the  passing  years  been  narrowed  bj^  the 
formation  of  new  associations.  The  limits  of  the  Sip- 
sey  cannot  well  be  extended,  and  their  field  is  well  occu- 
pied by  existing  churches.  May  God,  who  knows  the 
future,  and  orders  all  things,  prosper  the  Sipsey  Asso- 
ciation in  the  vears  to  come. 


11  66  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  XLVI. 

BETHEL  ASSOCIATION. 

The  available  information  as  to  this  institution  is 
scarce  and  fragmentary.  But  we  are  sufficiently  posted 
as  to  sa}^  that  it  is  situated  in  the  counties  of  Marion 
and  Covington.  It  seems  to  have  been  original^  com- 
posed of  churches  from  the  Red  Creek  Association.  In 
the  early  history  of  the  bod\^  the  Pine  Ridge  church, 
Marion  county,  was  the  strongest  local  organization 
in  the  Association,  numerically,  having  a  membership 
of  130. 

The  session  of  1891,  is  said,  in  its  Minutes  of  that 
year,  to  have  been  its  foui  th  annual  session,  which 
would  locate  the  constitution  of  the  Association  in 
1886,  or  early  in  1887.  But  tbe  session  of  1891  must 
have  been  its  fourth  gathering,  as  some  of  the  associa- 
tions denominate  their  annual  meetings.  Jeff  Lott,  of 
Perkinston,  who  is  in  a  position  to  give  accurate  infor- 
mation, says  the  Association  was  constituted  in  1887. 
The  prominent  churches  of  the  Bethel  Association  were 
in  the  Red  Creek  Association  in  September,  1887,  and 
were  in  all  probability,  dismissed  that  year  to  go  into 
the  Bethel  Association. 

Jeff  Lott  informs  the  writer  that  J.  P.  Johnson  was 
the  first  moderator  of  the  Bethel  Association,  He  was 
moderator  of  the  Red  Creek  Association  in  1887,  and 


flISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1167 

must  have  irone  with   his   church,  Midway,  to  the  con- 
stitution of  the  Bethel  Association  that  3'ear. 

We  are  informed  that  J.  P.  Johnson  was  moderator 
of  the  bod\'  "about  three  A^ears.''  True  it  is  that  H- 
Graham  was  moderator  in  1S91.  J.  P.  Johnson  \vas 
elected  moderator  of  the  Red  Creek  Association  that 
\'ear,  and  served  as  such  until,  during  that  sitting  of 
the  body,  the  Midway  church  called  for  a  letter  of  dis- 
mission from  the  bod3',  when  Hue  Graham  was  elected 
moderator.  Hue  Graham  was  moderator  of  the  body 
until  his  death,  which  indicates  that  he  presided  over 
the  Association  for  three  or  four  ^^ears.  After  him  J.W. 
Tolar  was  moderator,  who  was  succeeded  in  office  by 
A.  M.  Courtney,  \vho  was  moderator  of  the  body  in 
1901. 

In  1890,  we  find  thtit  the  Bethel  church  was  co- 
operating" with  the  Red  Creek  in  missionary  work. 
The  work  done  was  not  extensive,  nor  did  all  the 
churches  of  tlie  Association  participate  in  the  conjoint 
\vork.  P'^ive  of  the  churches  of  the  Bethel  Association 
contributed  the  total  sum  of  $11.05  to  this  co-opera- 
tive mission  work. 

In  1891,  just  one-half  of  the  churches  of  the  union 
called  for  letters  of  dismission  from  the  body.  Nearly 
all  of  these  eight  churches  went  l)ack  to  the  Red  Creek 
Association.  The  remaining  churches  of  the  bod\'  then 
had  a  total  of  34-6  members.  In  1901,  there  were  eight 
churches  in  the  fraternity  with  an  aggregate  member- 
ship of  533.  The  pastors  in  the  Association  at  that 
time  were  J.  L.  Bryant,  A.  M.  Courtne\',  J.  W.  Tolar, 
and  J.  L.  Boon. 

The  Association  does  not  bear  the  name  of  being 
an  intense  missionary  bod}'.  We  are  told  that  it  has 
"never    done    anything."      A    church    that    secured  a 


1168  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

letter  of  dismission  from  it  in  recent  years,  when  be- 
coming connected  with  the  Pearl  River  Association  de- 
nominated the  Bethel  Association  as  "anti-missionary." 
But  the  Association  was  surely  somewhat  severe,  as 
we  see,  the  Association  did,  for  a  while,  at  least,  some 
missionary  work.  At  the  session  of  the  body  in  1901, 
there  w^as  no  report  on  missions,  nor  of  the  Executive 
Board.  An  Executive  Board  v^as  appointed,  consist- 
ing of  the  officers  of  the  Association  wath  the  pastors 
and  deacons  of  the  churches.  A.  M.  Courtney  was 
made  chairman  of  the  Board  and  W.W.  Lott  secretary. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1109 


CHAPTER  XLVIL 

NEW  IvIBERTY  ASSOCIATION. 

The  Xew  Liberty-  Association  is  almost  exclusively 
in  Smith  count3' ;  to  be  more  explicit,itsterritory  is  just 
south  of  Morton  and  Forest,  the  nearest  church  to 
either  one  of  the  two  places,  bein<^  twenty  miles,  or 
more.  The  Mt.  Carmel  church  has  Homewood  as  its 
postoffice  and  the  Talahala  has  Gilbert  as  its  mailing^ 
point.  The  churches  of  the  New  Liberty  are  along  the 
tributaries  of  the  Leaf  River,  in  a  wholesome  pine 
countr3'^,  well  watered,  and  dotted  with  small  towns. 
The  people  are  usually  frug'ttl  in  their  habits,  and  moral 
in  their  lives.  They  are  unpretentious  cind  honest  in 
their  financial  dealin*j^s  one  with  another. 

Their  territory  has  l)een  invaded  by  but  one  short 
railroad,  the  branch  road  of  the  G.  &  S.  L  Railroad 
running  from  Saratoga  to  Laurel.  Nearly  all  their 
churches  have  for  their  postoffices./Trenton,  Mize,  Tav^- 
lorsville,  Bezer,  Boykin,  Royal,  S3'lvarena  and  Burns. 

The  prominent  i)reachers  in  the  new  bod\^  were:  H. 
F.  Husbands,  J.  A.  Hitt,  L.  J.  Caughman,  and  J.F.Sim- 
mons. The  Association  was  organized  at  the  Liberty 
church  on  Saturday  before  the  third  Sunday  in  October.. 
1S(S8.  The  churches  that  went  into  the  organization: 
were:  LibertN',  Harmony,  Pleasant  Hill,  Beaver  Dam, 
High  Hill,  Good  Water,  Mt.  Zion,  Fellowship,  BetheU 
Sharon,  Good  Hope,  and  Union. 


1170  HISTORY     OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  affiliations  of  the  Association  are  with  the  Gen- 
eral Association.  It  does  some  missionary  work.  N. 
L.  Clark,  the  chief  supporter  of  the  General  Association 
is,  and  has  been  for  3'ears,  much  interested  in  the  evan- 
gelization of  the  Choctaw  Indians  in  onr  State.  The 
General  Association  is  also  supportini)-  J.  G.  Chastain 
as  missionar3'  to  Alcxico. 

The  second  annual  session  of  the  union  was  held 
with  the  Sharon  church  ()ctol)er  9,  1889.  The  postoffice 
of  Sharon  church  is  at  Burns,  which  is  between  Ro\^al 
iind  Trenton.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preached 
b3\}.  A.  Hill.  L.  J.  Caughman  was  elected  moderator, 
and  J.  M.  Bryant,  clerk,  and  treasurer.  Ten  (10) 
churches  were  received,  Sylvarena,  New  Zion,  Raleigh, 
White  Oak,  Sylvan  Grove,  Leaf  River,  Clear  ^Springs, 
New  Hope,  Tallahala,  and  Rocky  Hill.  N.  L.  Clark  was 
received  as  a  messenger  frf)m  the  Mt.  Pisgah  Associa- 
tion, and  D.  C.  Rogers  from  the  Pearl  Leaf. 

N.  L.  Clark  preached  at  11  a.  m.  Sunday  and  J.  T. 
Simmons  in  the  afternoon.  The  following  collections 
Averc  taken  on  Sunday,  for  Home  missions  $9.90,  for 
Indian  missions  $6.40,  and  Foreign  missions  $8.60. 

Among  the  reports  we  notice  that  the  regret  was 
expresvsed  that  their  churches  took  so  little  interest  in 
Sunday'  schools.  It  is  hard  to  keep  good  interests  in 
Sunday  schools  in  the  country-.  The  churches  had  re- 
ceived S3  by  baptism  during  the  associational  3'ear. 
The  Southern  Baptist  Record  received  due  notice,  and 
the  Foreign  Mission  Journal,  and  Kind  Words  were 
commended.  The  pastors  of  the  churches  were  advised 
to  present  the  claims  o{  Missions  to  their  people,  and  to 
take  collections  for  the  work,  and  send  their  money  to 
the  General  Association,  and  keep  in  touch  with  that 
bodv. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1171 

Third  annual  sj^athcrinj^  was  with  the  Fellowship 
church  which  had  Alizc  as  its  postofficc.  The  meeting 
was  held  in  ( )ct()ber,  beginning  on  the  18th  of  that 
month.  The  introductory  sermon  was  preached  b;-^  J. 
F.  Simmons.  The  officers  of  the  previous  year  were  re- 
elected. Two  churches  were  received  into  the  union, 
Zion  Hill  and  Clear  Creek,  looth  from  the  Salem  Asso- 
ciation. 

The  collections  taken  on  Sunday  were :  For  For- 
eign missions  $9.0U,  for  Home  missions  $8.65,  and  tor 
Indian  missions  $7.16.  Later  in  the  meeting,  a  collec- 
tion was  taken  for  the  purpose  of  buying  a  horse  for 
that  honored  and  worthy  preacher,  J.  A.  Hitt.  The 
collection  amounted  to  $27.65.  That  was  a  good  and 
kindly  act,  and  one  worthily  bestowed. 

The  committee  on  the  state  of  religion  reported 
through  H.F.  Husbands.  105  baptisms  were  reported. 
None  of  the  churches  were  complaining  of  coldness,  and 
the  additions  to  the  churches  was  a  source  of  gratifica- 
tion. There  were  then  26  churches  in  the  union  having 
a  total  membership  of  1,659. 

The  committee  on  Fulilications,  along  with  the  For- 
eign Mission  Journul  and  Kind  Words,  recommended 
first  the  Mississippi  Baptist,  published  by  N.  L.  Clark, 
at  Newton,  Miss.  It  was  cf)mmended  as  "a  paperthat 
is  in  every  way  suited  to  our  wants;  that  is  designed 
to  fill  a  place  that,  pcrhajjs,  no  other  can  ;  that  is  sound 
in  all  its  te<iching."'  They  were  urged  to  "  subscribe  for 
it,  pay  for  it,  and  rc.ifl  it.'"  The  Southern  Baptist 
Record  was  also  noLiccvl. 

Reports  \vere  also  m  ule  on  missions,  education,  and 
temperance.  In  the  report  on  missions  it  was  empha- 
sized that  they  corresponded  with  the  General  Associa- 
tion, and  aid  in  supplying  some  of  the  destitiitionof  the 


1172  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

State.  The  report  on  education  did  not  mention  any 
educational  institution.  The  report  on  temperance  was 
clear  and  pronounced  in  opposition  to  the  drink  habit. 
The  next  session  of  the  body  was  to  be  held  with  the 
Pleasant  Hill  church,  beginning  on  Saturday  before  the 
third  Lord's  day  in  October  1891.  The  postofhce  of 
Pleasant  Hill  was  Currie. 

It  is  observable  in  these  three  years  of  the  history 
of  the  New  Liberty  Association  that  thej^  seemed  free 
from  any  ill  feeling  for  any  of  our  oganizations  in  the 
State.  None  of  their  reports,  no  resolutions  had  any- 
thing against  the  State  Convention.  The  Southern 
Baptist  Record  received  favorable  and  polite  mention. 
It  is  also  apparent  that  the^^  had  a  mind  to  work.  They 
aided  Indian  and  Foreign  missions.  They  bear  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  good  religious  country  people,  who  love 
God  and  humanity,  and  show  their  love  by  their  works. 

The  New  Liberty  Association,  when  constituted  in 
1888,  had  15  churches,  which  had  a  total  membership 
of  650,  males  and  females;  in  1901  the  body  was  com- 
posed of  46  churches,  with  a  total  membership  of  2,818. 
In  13  3^ears  there  had  been  a  gain  of  31  churches  and  of 
2,168  members. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  11' 


CHAPTER  XLVIII. 

CHESTER  ASSOCIATION. 

In  1892,  the  Louisville  Assoeiation  had  grown  quite 
large.  There  were  54  ehurches  in  the  organization. 
The  ehureheswere  in  theeounties  of  Winston,  Choctaw* 
and  a  part  of  Oktibbeha.  The  idea  of  a  division  of  the 
body  for  the  sake  of  convenience  was  fixed  in  the  minds 
of  the  members  of  the  churches. 

Accordingly  in  that  year,  at  the  annual  meeting,  a 
division  was  decided  upon.     Sixteen  churches,  through 
their  delegates,  called  for  letters   of  dismission  for  the 
purpose    of   organizing  another    association,   namely, 
Ackerman,  Clear  Springs,  Center  Grove,  Double  Springs, 
Providence,  Hogan's  Chapel,  Spring  Hill,  Wake  Forest, 
French  Camp,    Fellowship,  Ely's   Creek,  Mt.    Moriah, 
Pleasant  Ridge,  New  Zion,  and  Rubana.   The  application 
made  for  letters  of  dismission  by  the  New  Zion  and  Ru- 
bana churches  was  only  through  their  delegates  to  the 
Association, and  not  by  the  churches  themselves,  and  was 
consequenth^  irregular.   Therefore,  upon  motion,  it  was 
agreed  that  any  of  their  churches  wishing  letters  of  dis- 
missi(m  to  go  into  the  organization  of  the  new^  associa- 
tion could  get  them  upon  application  to  the  clerk  of  the 
Louisville  Association.     This  action  was  taken  by  that 
Association  October  10,  1892.     N.  0.  Adams  was  mod- 
erator, and  J.  R.  W.   Foster,   clerk.     The  meeting  was 
held  with  the  Concord  church,  Choctaw  county. 


1174-  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Friday  morning,  December  2,  1892,  the  representa- 
tives of  "many  churehes "'  met  at  Chester,  Choctaw 
county,  to  organize  the  new  association.  Upon  the 
order,  just  nientioned,  made  by  the  Louisville  Associa- 
tion, beside  the  churches  already  named,  the  following 
churches  were  also  represented  by  delegates:  Bear 
Creek,  Mt.  Pisgah,  Mt.  Olivet,  McCurtain's  Creek, 
Sturges,  and  Beulah,  ma.king  in  all  28  churches,  which 
had  an  aggregate  membership  of  2,918.  The  Associa- 
tion \Yas  to  start  full  fledged. 

N.  O.  Adams  was  chosen  temporary  chairman,  and 
J,  R.  W.  Foster,  temporar)^  secretary,  who,  after  the 
adoption  of  Rules  of  Decorum  and  Articles  of  Faith, 
were  elected  as  moderator  and  clerk  of  the  new  bod3^  in 
the  order  they  are  spoken  of.  N,  Q.  Adams  was  elected 
to  repi-esent  the  Association  in  the  Southern  Baptist 
Convention  to  meet  the  following  year  in  Nashville, 
Tenn. 

After  the  appointment  of  the  usual  committees,  an 
Executive  Board  was  appointed  for  the  next  year,  con- 
sisting of  E.  R.  Seward,  W.  AI.  Weeks,  James  McCarthy, 
S.  B.  Dobbs,  and  J.  L.  I*ower.  The  name  agreed  upon 
for  the  new  l)od3'  was.  The  Chester  Association.  As 
such  we  make  our  bow  to  it  with  l:)ared  head,  and  pro- 
pose to  serve  it  as  best  we  can  as  a  chronicler  of  its  for- 
tunes and  misfortunes. 

W.  A.  Edwards,  of  Ackmerman,  was  elected  col- 
porter  ol  the  Association.  His  mission  was  a  good  one. 
He  who  i)laces  good  books  in  the  family  is  sowing  seed 
that  will  l)ring  fruit  in  the  next  generation. 

The  Association  \vas  divided  into  two  districts  in 
Avhich  the  IjodA'  ^vas  to  meet  alternately,  and  in  which 
district  meetings  were  to  be  held  on  each  fifth  Sunda\% 
With  this  action  the  Chester  Associcition  completed  its 
orgtmization  and  eciuipment  for  Christian  endeavor. 


HISTORY     OF.    MISSISSIPPI     HAPTISTS,  1175 

The  first  aiinuai  scssioa  ol  the  Chester  Association 
referred  to  tlie  names  ofniemloers  drojjped  from  the  roll 
as  an  "erasure."  The  mild  and  evasive  term  was  ob- 
jected to.  We  had  as  well  call  a  s])oon  a  spoon,  as  a 
concave  vessel  ot  small  dimensions,  and  so  thought  this 
Association.  After  some  discussion  it  was  a<j^reed  to 
suggest  to  the  churches  that  they  use  the  word  "ex- 
cluded."   So,  there  is  something  in  a  word. 

The  report  on  Missions,  a  closely  written  document 
was  read  by  W.  H.  H  Fancher.  Regular  quarterly  col- 
lections were  recommended  to  the  churches,  and  the  re- 
quest made  that  contriljutions  for  general  benevolence 
be  sent  to  A.  Y.  ['owe,  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the 
Convention  Bo;ard. 

Their  Executive  Board  had  not  ])ut  a  missionary  in 
the  field,  but  had  requested  the  Convention  Board  to 
supplement  tlie  salary  of  J.  T.  Sargent,  pastor  at  Fen- 
tress, witli  an  apin-()])riation  of  $30.00,  but  l^ecause  of 
the  pressing  obhgatiou  of  the  State  Board,  they  could 
not  make  the  approjDriation  desired.  J.  T.  Sargent  was 
doing  fine  work  at  Fentress,  and  the  Executive  Board 
ai^ked  the  churches  to  aid  him  in  his  work.  Their  col- 
]}crter,  W.  A.  Edwards,  iiad  sold  14-  l:)ibles,  4-8  testa- 
ments, IGo  hymn  liooks.  The  total  numl)er  of  l)ooks 
sold  l)eing  238.  Beside  this  work,  he  had  taken  sul)- 
scriptions  lor  The  Baptist  LciyniHU,  and  visited  manv 
of  the  churches.  A  collection  in  cash  and  ])ledgcs  was 
tidvcn  for  the  State  Sunday  school  work  amounting  to 
$57.00. 

The  ordained  ministers  of  the  Associiition  in  this 
first  year  of  its  existence  were:  X.  O.  Adams,  W.  H.  H. 
Fancher,  David  Burncv,  M.  A.  Biggers,  Moses  Black, 
M.  A.  Carr,  W.  A.  Edwards,  A.  j.  Franklin,  G.  W.  Hen- 
son,  J.  \V.  Jenkins,  loseph  Peacock,  J.  H.  I).  Watson, 
Jasper  Watson,  B.  L.  Middleton,  and  A.  I'.  Berry. 


1176  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS, 

Their  second  annual  session  was  held  with  the  Bear 
^Creek  church  beginning  October  6,  1894.  The  officers 
of  the  previous  year  were  re-elected.  The  Executive 
Board  consisted  of  E.  R.  Seward,  S.  B.  Dobbs,  and  W. 
M.  Weeks.  Three  churches  were  received  into  the  As- 
sociation, namely:  New  Hope,  S34ies  Chapel,  and 
Ennis,  make  the  total  number  of  churches  31,  with  an 
aggregate  membership  of  2,467.  The  churches,  in  their 
letters  to  the  Association,  reported  214  baptisms  and 
100  received  by  letter,  with  31  restored. 

Prominent  among  the  visitors  of  the  Association 
\vere :  H.  J.  Yanlandingham  of  the  Columbus  Associa- 
tion, B.  N.  Hatch  representing  the  Sunday  school  inter- 
est, H.  M.  Long  representing  the  Baptist  Record,  and 
"Walter  N.  Hurt  the  Layman,  C.  L.  Lewis  agent  of  Mis- 
sissippi College,  and  J.  P.  Brown  of  the  Kosciusko  As- 
sociation. 

Much  interest  was  created  by  B.  N.  Hatch  in  the 
Sunday  school  \vork,  and  by  C.  L.  Lewis  in  denomina- 
tional education.  $15.35  was  secured  in  cash  and  pledges 
to  be  paid  by  Januar}--  1,  1895,  for  Sundaj^  school  pur- 
poses, $95.75  for  repairs  on  Mississippi  College,  and 
$36.00  for  Ministerial  Education.  In  the  report  of  Sun- 
day schools,  we  find  this  language:  "  We  would  most 
heartiW  recommend  our  worthy  brother,  B.  N.  Hatch, 
the  State  Sunday  School  Evangelist,  appointed  by  the 
State  Board,  and  we  would  urge  our  Sundaj^  schools  to 
hear  him  in  conducting  Sunday  schools  when  the3^  can." 

The  finance  table  shows  that  the  churches  gave  that 
year  to  Foreign  missions  $39.25,  to  Home  missions 
^19,23,  and  to  State  missions  $21.15.  But  the  finan- 
cial tables  of  most  of  our  associations  are  quite  unsatis- 
factory, and  often  false  in  their  representation  of  the 
Association.     The  churches  do  not,  nor  can  they  be  in- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1177 

duced  to  put  into  their  letters  to  the  Association  what 
the)'  do  for  benevolence.  Some  members  of  some  of  our 
churches  send  money  directW  to  benevolent  objects,  and 
do  not  report  it  to  their  churches.  Consequent!)', 
statements  made  from  financial  tables  are  only  valuable, 
as  by  them  may  be  seen  the  increase  of  the  contribu- 
tions -of  the  churches  which  give  a  partial  report  of 
work  done. 

The  session  of  1895  was  held  with  the  old  Bethle- 
hem church,  Choctaw  county.  N.  Q.  Adams  was  again 
elected  moderator,  and*  J.  R.  W.  Foster,  clerk.  The 
Executive  Board  was  re-elected.  Five  churches  were  not 
represented,  neither  by  letter  nor  b\'  delegates,  Bluff 
Springs,  Bl3''s  Creek,  Center  Grove,  Ennis,  and  Eben- 
ezer.  The  visitors  to  the  bod)--  were :  From  the  Colum- 
bus Association,  H,  J.  Vanlandingham,  and  E.  W. 
Spencer ;  irom  the  Yazoo,  W.  A.  Hurt :  and  from  the 
►Louisville  W.  B.  Williams,  and  J.  T.  Sargent,  and  C. 
L.  Lewis  from  Mississippi  College. 

All  the  churches  represented  in  the  body  agreed  to 
hold  thanskgiving  services  during  the  month  of  Novem- 
ber, and  take  collections  for  Mississippi  College  and 
Ministerial  Education.  Charles  L.  Lewis  was  quite  a 
favorite  in  the  Association,  and  easily  inclined  them  to 
our  educational  interests. 

The  Chester  Association  adopted  the  apportion- 
ment made  by  the  State  Convention  which  was  as  fol- 
lows :  To  Foreign  missions  $75.00,  to  Home  missions 
$50.00,  and  to  State  missions  $125.00.  This  was 
light  for  31  churches  with  a  membership  of  2,341  ;  a 
little  more  than  ten  cents  a  member. 

There  were  some  old  churches  in  the  organization. 
The  Bethlehem  church  was  constituted  in  1835,  and 
had  a  membership  of  162  males  and  females,  the  num- 


1178  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

ber  ofeacli  being  al)out  equal.  It  was  their  oldest  and 
largest  church.  The  next  in  age  was  the  Mt.  Pisgah 
church,  organized  in  1845;  then  came  the  Alt.  Moriah 
church,  dating  back  to  1847.  Two  churches  were  con- 
stituted in  the  fifties,  Double  Springs  and  Fellowship, 
the  first  named  in  1851,  and  the  second  in  1852. 

The  fourth  annual  session  was  held  with  the  Provi- 
dence church,  which  had  Kenego  as  its  postoffice.  Once 
more  were  their  popular  officers  re-elected.  They  took 
Adams  and  Ft)ster  from  the  highest  positions  in  the 
Louisville  Association,  when  they  began  housekeeping 
for  themselves,  and  quite  well  were  they  using  them. 
All  the  churches  were  well  represented.  Charles  L. 
Lewis  was  with  them  again,  representing  Mississippi 
College,  and  was  warmly  welcomed. 

It  will  lie  in  place  here  to  give  some  extracts  from 
the  reports  of  their  committees  to  show  clearh'  their 
work  and  alignment. 

"Your  committee  would  emphasize  the  importance 
of  the  Sunday  school  work,  and  urge  pastors  especially 
to  endeavor  to  organize  Sunday  schools  in  all  their 
churches,  and  impress  the  officers  with  the  great  use  of 
punctuality  and  s^-stem  in  the  work."" 

"We  further  state,  without  iear  of  contradiction, 
that  intemperance  is  one  of  the  greatest  enemies  to 
human  progress  and  development,  temporarily,  men- 
tally, ph^'sically,  and  spiritualh',  that  the  world  has 
ever  known."" 

In  1897,  the  Association  made  a  change  in  its 
officer.  W.  H.  H.  Fancher  was  elected  moderator. 
Faneher  and  Adams  were  etiually  worthy  of  the  honors 
bestowed  upon  them  by  the  Association.  N.  O.  Adams, 
a  native  of  North  Carolina,  showed,  in  his  ruling  over 
the  bod\',  impartiality  and  justice  to  all.     He  loved  his 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1179 

Association,  and  they  loved  him,  and  delighted  to  honor 
him.  His  biographj'-  is  in  Foster's  Baptist  Preachers. 
W.  H.  H.  Farchcr  is  known  by  the  writer.  He  is  a  na- 
tive of  our  State,  and  a  worthy  son  of  onr  common- 
wealth. He  is  a  great  bible  student,  and  a  splendid 
preacher.  With  all  his  attainments  in  bible  study,  he  is 
yet  an  earnest  searcher  after  scriptural  truth.  May  his 
years  3'et  be  many. 

At  that  meeting  of  the  body  the  Poplar  Creek  church 
was  received.  The  Association  was  then  composed  of 
32  churches,  which  reported  that  year  165  liaptisms, 
and  had  an  aggregate  membership  of  2,521  males  and 
females.  The  churches  reported  that  year  for  Foreign 
missions  $4<S.70,  for  State  missions  $30. (k1,  and  for 
Home  missions  ^31.60.  The  three  beneficiaries  of  their 
Sustentation  Fvmd  received  $4.4-0  each,  l)eing  the 
aniornt  collected  ot  the  last  meeting  for  sustentation. 
•  In  1808,  arother  change  was  made  in  their  officers. 
S.  P.  Dobbs  was  chosen  clerk  and  treasurer  in  tlie- place 
of  J.  R.  W.  Foster.  Foster  made  them  a  good  clerk. 
His  Minutes  were  well  gotten  up,  neat  and  orderly. 
Dobbs  is  the  I;Jv^ent  efficient  clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court 
of  Clicctav  count}^,  and  is  u  courteous  and  obliging 
gentlemrn.  The  Absociation  behttingly  expressed  its 
thanks  to  J.  R.  W.  Fov>«tci  lor  faithful  and  efficient  ser- 
vice rendered  the  Assojiation  ndiile  clerk. 

That  session  of  the  body  was  lield  witli  the  Bluff 
Springs  church,  Choctaw  county,  which  is  two  miles 
east  f)f  Grady,  and  four  miles  south  of  Eujjora.  The 
writer  while  President  of  Carrollton  Female  College 
was  for  a  short  time  ])ast()r  at  Eujjora,  and  happens  to 
know  something  of  those  people.  J.  II.  D.  Watson  of 
Kenego,  was,  in  1897,  pastor  of  that  churcli,  and  C.  A. 
Lindsey  of  Eupora,  ck-rk. 


1180  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS, 

The  report  on  Sunday  schools  showed  a  slight  fall- 
ing off  in  Sunday  school  work.  There  were  eleven 
schools  reported  in  1897  and  onlyninein  1898.  $72.00 
Avas  paid  by  the  Sunda^^  schools  in  1897  for  various 
purposes,  and  onh'  $30.85  in  1898.  The  churches  of 
the  Chester  Association  were  in  the  main  in  the  country, 
\vhere  conflicting  church  services  in  the  neighborhood 
contiguous  to  the  Sunday  school  serioush'  militates 
against  the  interest  and  attendance  of  the  Sunday 
school.  The  Sunday  scliool  in  the  country  is  kept  up 
onlv  by  the  dint  of  labor  and- unchanging  perseverance. 

W.  A.  Edwards  \vas,  in  1898,  still  colporter  for  the 
Association.  Nobody  had  superceded  him.  He  sold 
that  3'ear  35  bibles,  4-2  testaments,  and  60  religious 
books.  He  traveled  422  miles,  preached  22  .sermons, 
and  attended  as  a  visitor  15  pra3^er  meetings. 

The  seventh  annual  session  of  the  bod)'  was  held 
with  the  old  Mt.  Pisgah  church,  beginning  September 
30,  1899.  The  officers  of  the  previous  year  were  re- 
elected. 

The  Association  had  in  it,  at  that  time,  nine  or- 
dained ministers,  and  three  licentiates.  They  were 
favored  in  having  one  3'oung  minister  at  Mississippi 
College,  M  L  Oswalt.  A  collection  was  taken  to  keep 
him  in  school,  amounting  to  $58.00.  It  was  recom- 
mended that  each  church  take  a  collection  for  minister- 
ial education. 

A  good  report  on  the  Orphanage  was  presented  by 
R.  M.  Cotton.  Pending  the  discussion  of  the  report  by 
W.  H.  H.  Fancher,  and  W.  L.  A.  Stranburg  a  collection 
was  taken  for  the  Orphanage  amounting  to  $20.15. 
This  speaks  well  for  the  generous  sentiment  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Chester  Association. 

The  session    of   1900  was   held   with  the   Beulah 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  llSl 

church,  Choctaw  county.  W.  H.  H.  Fancher  still  held 
the  sravel  and  S.  B.  Dobbs  was  vet  their  scribe.  There 
were  then  31  churches  in  the  Association  with  a  total 
membership  of  2,713.  The  Bear  Creek  church  was  then 
the  largest,  having  a  membership  of  242.  W.  H.  BUick 
of  Weir,  was  pastor  of  that  chuixh.  The  Bluff  Springs 
church  had  the  largest  ingathering,  having  received  21 
bj'  baptism,  three  bN^  letter  and  restored  one. 

The  report  on  Publications  placed  The  Baptist,  the 
Foreign  Mission  Journal,  the  Home  Field  find  the 
Orphan's  Gem  befoix  their  reading  public  as  worthy  of 
patronage.  These  recommendations  showed  that  the 
Chester  was  in  full  sympathy  with  our  organized  State 
work,  and  in  line  with  the  denomination  in  missionary 
activitj'. 

W.  J.  Wilson,  chairman  of  thecommitte  on  Missions, 
gave  a  statement  of  their  l)cnevolence.  They  gave  that 
year  to  Alinisterial  Education  $46.77,  to  Home  mis- 
sions $38.40,  to  State  missions  $12.40,  to  Foreign  mis- 
sions $52.25,  to  General  missions  $39.42,  to  Sunday 
schools  $19.56,  to  Relief  of  the  Poor  $17.25,  to  Missis- 
sippi College  $5.00,  to  the  Orphanage  $16.90,  and  to 
the  Southern  Baptist  Theological  Seminary  $1.98.  mak- 
ing a  total  of  $249.93.  This  was  in  advance  of  the 
contributions  of  the  previous  yefir  $79.34. 

The  Sundav  school  table  shows  that  ten  churches 
had  Sunday  schools  with  a  total  number  of  pupils 
amounting  to  459.  The  churches  rejjorting  Sunday 
schools  were:  Ackerman,  Bluff  Springs,  Clear  Springs, 
French  Camp,  Fellowshi]),  Providence,  Bethany,  Wood's 
Springs,  Wake  Poorest,  and  Mt.  Pisgah.  The  commit- 
tee on  Sunday  schools  very  wisely  recommended  the 
organization  of  a  Sunday  school  convention,  represent- 
ing the  Sundav  schools  of  the  churches  in  the  A.^^socia- 


1182  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

tion.  W.  A.  Wilson  ^Yas  elected  president  of  the 
convention,  with  two  vice-presidents,  one  for  each  dis- 
trict of  the  Association. 

The  Chester  Association  is  a  3'oung  body,  with  line 
possibilities.  It  is  large,  and  composed  of  people  of 
genuine  worth.  The  discipline  in  the  chtirches  is  firm, 
and  the  missionar3'  conviction  on  the  increase.  The 
ministry  is  well  informed,  and  sweet  in  spirit.  At  the 
beginning  of  this  centur^^,  they  are  harmonious  and  full 
of  hope.  May  no  evil  genius  creep  in  among  them  to 
mar  their  peace,  or  stop  their  onward  movements. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1 1 H3 


CHATTER    XLIX. 

UAXKIN    COUNTY   ASSOCIATION. 

As  the  iicime  of  this  institution  indicates,  the 
chiirclies  that  compose  it  are  in  Rankin  count}-.  We 
haYC  htid  three  associations  in  the  State  Ijearing  the 
names  of  as  many  counties— The  Rankin  County,  The 
Scott  County,  and  the  Copiah.  (Loiter  Lawrence 
County,  Lincoln  County,  and  Lauderdale  Count}')- 
The  chiet  reason  for  the  formation  of  the  Rankin  County 
Association  was  the  development  of  Ba])tist  forces  and 
Baptist  possil)ilities  witliin  the  county  limits.  It  was 
thought,  that  to  the  true  missionary  conviction,  would 
be  added  the  hel])fulness  of  contiguity  jind  consangui- 
nity. Another  advantage  ^vas  the  ease  and  readiness 
with  whicli  the  meetings  of  the  institution  could  be 
reached. 

The  Rankin  County  Association  was  constituted  at 
New  Prospect  church,  October  25,  1898.  The  churches 
that  went  into  the  organization  were:  Concord,  An- 
tioch,  Oakdale,  Fcannin,  Leesl)urg,  County  Line,  New 
Prospect,  Clear  Creek,  Rock  Bluff,  Pelahatchie,  Galilee, 
and  T'nion.  Nearly  all  of  these  churches  were  from  the 
Springtield  Association.  Pannin  and  Lilierty  were  from 
the  Central  Association,  Mt.  Pisgah,  Leesburg  and 
Reho])()th  were  of  the  old  Mt.  Olive  Association. 

The  men  prominent  in  the  creation  and  constitu- 
tion of  the   body  were:  W.  P.  Chapman,    T.  J.  Miley, 


1184  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

W.  H.  Boone,  J.  T.  Longmire.  and  Dr.  ].  E.  Noble.  J.T. 
Longmire  did  the  writing  that  was  necessarj^  before 
the  delegates  from  the  churches  met  to  organize  the 
body,  and  Dr.  J.  E.  Noble  worked  np  the  sentiment  that 
induced  the  churches  to  form  the  union.  They  went 
into  permanent  organization  by  electing  Dr.  J.  E.  Noble 
moderator,  and  J.  T.  Longmire,  clerk. 

The  second  annual  session  of  the  bodj^  was  held 
with  the  Antioch  church,  beginning  October  6,  1894, 
W.  P.  Chapman  was  chosen  moderator,  J.  T.  Longmire, 
clerk,  and  D.  M.  Robbins,  treasurer.  The  report  on 
Sunday  schools,  presented  by  W.  H.  Boone,  was  un- 
usually spicy.  It  stated  that  not  more  than  one-fourth 
of  the  church  members  attended  Sunday  school,  that 
there  were  in  all  3,000  white  children  in  Rankin  county, 
and  less  than  40  per  cent,  of  them  were  in  the  Sunday 
schools :  and  that  with  pride  it  could  be  said  that 
nearly  all  the  churches  in  the  Association  had  Sunday 
schools. 

Under  the  head  of  Missions  we  glean  these  two  ex- 
cerpts :  "  Let  everj^  pastor  bestir  himself  upon  this  ques- 
tion—  how  to  do  mission  work,  and  report  to  the 
church.  Let  him  take  collections  when  there  is  hope  of 
getting  something.  Don't  wait  until  all  the  money  is 
gone  from  the  country,  and  then  blame  your  church.'' 
"  Our  Home  missions  offering  for  last  year  (State  of 
Mississippi),  amounted  to  $1,809.07,  and,  by  agree- 
ment made  with  the  Home  Mission  Board,  our  State 
missions  have  received  from  the  Home  Board  during 
the  last  year  $1,125.30.  So  we  have  received  back 
from  that  Board  within  $683.77  of  the  amount  of  our 
offerings  for  Home  missions  last  year." 

Attention  was  called  to  the  fact  that  the  Board  of 
Alinisterial   Education   was  needing  means,  and   that 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1185 

they  had  two  excellent  3'oung-  men  who  were  preparing 
themselves  for  ministerial  usefulness  at  Mississippi 
College.  The  statistical  table  shows  that  the  churches 
had  reported  $46.30  contributed  to  Ministerial  Educa- 
tion b}'  live  of  their  churches. 

The  Association  of  1895,  was  held  with  the  Reho- 
both  church,  which  is  a  few  miles  northeast  of  Pelahat- 
chie.  W.  P.  Chapman  was  elected  moderator,  D.J. 
Mile3%  clerk,  and  M.  L.  Boone,  treasurer.  The  Barker 
Prairie  church  w^as  received. 

It  is  noticeable  that  the  body  had  no  Executive 
Committee  or  Associational  Board.  Perhaps  one 
reason  for  this  omission  w^as,  that  the  territory 
w^as  already  supplied  with  a  sufficiency  of  churches, 
Avhich  needed  but  to  be  developed  by  dint  of  work  and 
fine  pastoral  oversight.  Let  us  give  some  attention  to 
their  tabular  statements.  As  far  as  it  was  possible, 
they  tabulated  all  their  work.  The  amount  given  in 
1894-5  to  pastors"  salary  was  $819.00,  six  churches  of 
the  eighteen  excluded  from  the  statement.  They  gave 
$86.85  to  Foreign  missions,  $59.40  to  State  missions, 
$v36.65  to  Home  missions,  $82.75  to  Ministerial  Educa- 
tion. Fourteen  churches  of  the  eighteen  had  Sunday 
schools  with  a  total  average  attendance  of  336,  and 
three  churches  reported  contributions  to  Woman's 
Work.  Taken  as  a  ^vhole,  the  year's  work  was  quite 
complimentary-  to  the  body. 

The  fourth  annual  session  was  held  with  the  Galilee 
church.  T.  J.  Miley  was  elected  moderator,  D.  J.  Miley, 
clerk,  and  L.  Ai.  Boone,  treasurer.  The  presence  of 
J.  R.  Johnston  and  J.  H.  Whitfield  is  noticeable.  The 
Association  had  in  it,  at  that  time,  some  of  the  best 
citizens  of  Rankin  county,  among  whom  were  Ed.  Mar- 
tin, W.  E.  Ross,  W.  S.  Searcy,  A.  Patrick,  W.W.  Patrick, 


1186  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS, 

W.  M.  Waklrop,  J.  E.  Nol^le,  J.  E.  Kersh,  D.  M.  Rob- 
bins,  T.J.  Loiigmire,  J.  M.  Fr^mklin  and  W.  P.  Franklin. 

From  the  repoi't  on  Missions  we  get  this  language : 
^^  What  are  YOU  doing  for  the  mission  \vorl<:.''  Are  you 
happy  in  the  work  ?  Are  you  giving  as  God  has  pros- 
pered \'ou  ?  Are  you  giving  lovingly,  joyfulh-?  *  *  * 
Here  is  what  we  did  last  year.  Is  it  enough  for  1,326 
Baptists  ?  Can  we  expect  God's  blessings  upon  us  with 
such  giving?  *  *' *  Foreign  missions  $86.85,  State  mis- 
sions $59.40,  Home  missions  $36.65.''  Eleven  of  the 
twent\^  churches  had  Sunday  schools,,  with  an  avei  age 
attendance  of  178,  \vhich  was  a  smaller  number  of 
pupils  than  was  reported  the  A^ear  before.  In  fact, 
there  was  a  decrease  that  3'ear  in  all  1)ranches  of  their 
Avork. 

In  the  year  1897,  there  was  no  meeting  of  the  Asso- 
ciation. The  yellow  fever  epidemic  stopped  all  of  the 
wheels  of  progress  in  our  State  until  the  first  of  Decem- 
ber. After  that  time  the  inclemency  of  the  weather 
prevented  a  gathering  of  any  consequence.  The  clerk 
Avas,  therefore,  instructed  to  gather  all  the  facts  he 
could  as  to  the  work  of  the  churches  through  the  \^ear, 
and  issue  a  statistical  table.  The  table  showed  that 
the  churches  had  contributed  to  Foreign  missions 
$92.35,  to  State  missions  $91.10,  Home  missions 
$30.20,  Ministerial  Education  $15.00,  and  to  pastors' 
salary  $924.15. 

The  sixth  iinnual  session  of  the  Rankin  Count\^  As- 
sociation met  with  Concord  church.  The  County  Line, 
Mount  Hill,  Mount  Pisgah,  and  Liberty  churches  were 
not  represented.  T.  J.  Miley  was  elected  moderator, 
W.  P.  Franklin,  clerk,  and  J.  M.  Patrick,  treasurer. 

The  first  item  of  interest  was  the  closing  part  of  the 
report  on  Ministerial  Education.     It  was  recommended 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1187 

that  all  ministers  use  the  advantages  offered  In-  Missis- 
sippi College,  and  the  preachers'  institutes  of  the  State. 
The  institutes  held  at  that  time  Idv  Dr.  R.  A.  Venable 
and  others  were  productive  of  much  good  to  our 
preachers,  who  had  been  denied  the  advantages  accru- 
ing from  a  course  in  a  theological  seminary. 

We  cannot  forbear  giving  the  extract  from  their 
report  on  temperance:  "We  believe  that  the  social 
drink  is  a  great  evil,  and  lies  at  the  bottom  of  all  the 
evils  growing  out  of  the  \vhiskey  question.  Therefore, 
the  man  who  takes  the  social  drink  is  an  enem\'  to  the 
temperance  cause,  and  should  be  so  regarded  by  Chris- 
tians, and  so  dealt  with  by  the  churches." 

The  work  of  the  Rankin  County  Association,  one  is 
impressed,  is  in  the  hands  of  strong,  thoughtful  men — 
men  who  plan  well  and  execute  wisely.  They  have  a 
purpose  in  view,  and  keep  their  energies  directed  to 
that  end.  Their  session  of  1899  was  enlivened  by  the 
presence  of  A.  V.  Rowe,  the  efficient  corresponding  sec- 
retary of  the  Convention  Board.  The  clerk  and  treas- 
urer of  the'  previous  year  were  re-elected,  and  W.  H. 
Boone  was  chosen  moderator. 

The  churches,  in  1899,  giive  to  Foreign  missions 
■$88.60,  to  State  missions  $85.60,  to  Home  missions 
$60.30,  to  Ministerial  Education  $26.35,  to  Sustenta- 
tion  $44.65,  to  Mississippi  College  $23.40,  to  Orphan- 
age $20.15,  and  to  Woman's  Work  $35.93.  Of  the 
17  churches  in  the  union,  seven  (7)  did  not  report 
Sunday  schools.  The  ten  Sunday-  schools  reported  had 
a  total  average  attendance  of  234,  and  a  total  attend- 
ance of  416. 

Two  things  are  clearly  noticeable  about  the  Rankin 
County  Association ;  one  is  the  observable  harmony  in 
the  bod^',  and   another  that  they  make  honors  ec^ual. 


1188  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

In  some  of  the  assoeiations  in  the  State,  especiall^^  the 
old  ones,  it  was  expected  that  one  of  two  prominent 
preachers  would  be  elected  moderator.  This  was  not 
true  in  the  Rankin  Count3^  In  1894,  Dr.  J.  E.  Noble 
was  moderator;  in  1895,  W.  P.  Chapman;  in  1896  to 
1898,  T.  J.  Miley  ;  in  1899,  W.  H.  Boone.  He  was  re- 
elected in  1900  and  in  1901,  T.  J.  Miley. 

T.  J.  Bailey,  A.  V.  Rowe  and  W.  T.  Lowre3^  were  at 
the  meeting  of  1900.  In  the  report  on  Ministerial 
Education  the  information  was  given  that  there  were 
then  thirty  young  preachers  in  Alississippi  College, 
twenty  of  whom  received  help  from  the  Board  of  Min- 
isterial Education.  The  Board  needed  about  $100.00 
a  month  to  carry  on  its  work,  and  no  salary  was  paid 
any  ofhcer  of  the  Board. 

The  Sunday-school  w^ork  was  showing  gratifying 
progress.  In  1899,  ten  Sunday  schools  were  reported  ; 
in  1900,  thirteen.  Many  of  the  pupils  had  professed 
religion,  the  year  before  only  nine,  in  1900,  thirtj'-six. 

Let  us  compare  the  work  of  1901  with  the  work  of 
the  first  year  of  the  body.  For  Foreign  missions  in 
1894,  $111.14,  in  1901,  $124.03 ;  for  State  missions 
in  1894,  86.60,  in  1900,  $76.46;  for  Home  missions  in 
1894,  $38.75,  in  1901,  $92.40;  for  Sustentation  in 
1894,  $20.50,  in  1901,  $57.35.  In  1894,  there  were 
seventeen  churches  enrolled  with  an  aggregate  member- 
ship of  1,479.  These  figures  show  a  gratifying  increase 
in  everything  except  the  contribution  to  State  missions. 

The  Rankin  County  is  to  be  complimented  for  the 
even  support  given  to  all  the  lines  of  our  benevolent 
work,  It,  unlike  some  associations,  has  not  had  a 
pet  enterprise,  which  has  been  permitted  to  overshadow 
other  causes.  If  the3^  deemed  any  one  enterprise  of 
superior  importance  to  all  the  rest,  it  does  not  appear 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1189 

in  the  financial  statements.  L.  S.  Foster,  superintend- 
ent of  the  Orphans'  Home,  was,  for  a  while,  pastor  of 
one  of  their  churches.  While  they  contributed  to  the 
support  of  the  Home,  it  was  not  shown  any  favoritism. 
The  Rankin  County  Association  is  also  to  be  con- 
o^ratulated  on  the  neat  preparation  and  mechanical 
Avork  done  on  the  printing  of  their  Alinutes.  They  are 
orderly  and  printed  in  open  bold  t\'pe  that  is  pleasing- 
to  the  e^-e.  ]May  the  Lord's  blessings  continue  with 
them. 


1190  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  L. 

PEARL  VALLEY  ASSOCIATION. 

This  Association  was  constituted  in  1886.  The  ter- 
ritory of  the  Association  is  in  the  upper  Pearl  River 
country.  It  embraces  the  northwestern  part  of  Nes- 
hoba county,  the  northeastern  part  of  Leake,  the  south- 
western part  of  Winston,  and  the  southeastern  part  of 
Attala. 

Seven  churches  went  into  the  constitution  of  the 
body.  Of  these,  two  were  from  the  Louisville  Associa- 
tion, two  from  the  Mt.  Pisgah,two  from  the  Kosciusko, 
and  one  from  the  Harmony.  Four  of  these  churches 
are  in  Neshoba  county.  Pearl  Valle^^,  Salem,  Black  Jack, 
and  White  Oak;  two  are  in  Leake,  High  Hill,  and  Mt, 
Pleasant;  and  one  in  Attala,  East  County  Line. 

E.  S.  Clark  was  the  first  moderator  of  the  body; 
and  E.  W.  Pilgrim  the  first  clerk  and  treasurer,  and  wa 
annually   elected  to  fill  the  double  position  for  man^^ 
years.      The  Association   is   in  co-operation    with  the 
General  Association. 

In  1888,  the  body  met  with  Alt.  Pleasant  church. 
The  ordained  ministers  were:  J.  N.  Xewburn,  E.  S. 
Clark,  E.  E.  Hollis,  E.  L.  Taylor,  S.  C.Eastham,  and  I. 
R.  Jennings.  The  aggregate  membership  of  the  churches 
were  328.  I.  R.  Jennings  was  their  moderator  that 
year.     On  the  Sunday-  embraced  in  the  meeting,  W.  B. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1191 

Hollis  preached  a  sermon  on  "missions,"'  after  which  a 
collection  was  taken  amounting  to  $5.50.  It  is  said  of 
the  afternoon  worship  that,  "  E.  S.  Clark  closed  by 
giving-  an  opportunity  for  prayer,  when  the  whole  con- 
gregation came  forward  and  gave  their  hands."  How- 
sweet  and  how  pleasant  such  occasions.  The  free  and 
open  abandon,  and  the  easy  approach  of  such  an  occa- 
sion to  souls,  can  only  be  appreciated  rightly  by  one 
whose  ministry-  is  in  a  cold  formal  town  or  village 
church. 

At  that  meeting  due  and  appropriate  S3^mpath\^ 
was  shown  for  E.  S.  Clark,  who  had  shortl}^  before  lost 
his  wife  and  son,  and  had  himself  suflfered  in  a  pro- 
tracted illness. 

I'reaiuble  and  resolutions  were  adopted  as  to  co- 
operation with  general  bodies.  It  was  declared  a  lead- 
ing purpose  of  theirs  to  supply  their  destitution  and 
"to  assist  all  missionary  bodies  of  the  same  taith  and 
order  in  the  great  Christ-like  work."  It  was  further 
said,  "we  cannot  afford  to  have  our  liberties  taken 
from  us  by  binding  ourselves  to  co-operate  with  either 
of  them  to  the  exclusion  of  the  others."  Young  ladies, 
who  say  they  do  not  intend  to  marry,  are  ofter  will- 
ingly led  to  the  hymeneal  altar. 

The  fourth  annual  session  was  held  with  the  High 
Hill  church,  beginning  November  2,  1889.  The  Ocobla 
church  was  received  into  the  organization.  E.S.  Clark 
v^as  chosen  to  priside  over  the  body.  Committees  re- 
ported on  Queries  and  Requests,  Home  and  Indian 
missions,  Saljl^ath  schools.  Nominations,  Finance,  and 
Bible  and  Puljlication.  The  Committee  on  Finances  of 
the  body  reported  $22.90  on  hand.  Of  this  amount 
$16.20  was  sent  to  the  Association  for  associational 
purposes ;  the  remainder  was  for  Home,  Indian,  and 
Foreign  work. 


1192  HISTORY     QF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

In  1890,  the  body  met  with  the  Pearl  Valley  church. 
The  officers  of  the  previous  year  were  re-elected.  The 
Pearl  Valley  Association,  at  the  time,  corresponded 
-with  Mt.  Pisgah,  Harmony,  Kosciusko,  and  Louisville 
Associations. 

It  is  noticeable  that  for  three  consecutive  years;  the 
theme  of  the  sermons  preached  on  the  morning  of  the 
Sunday  embraced  in  their  meeting  was  "missions,  and 
that  invariabh^  a  collection  was  taken  for  missions 
after  the  sermon. 

We  lind  this  language  in  the  report  on  Indian  mis- 
sions :  "  We  feel  it  our  duty  to  aid  in  christianizing  the 
Indians,  and  recommend  that,  if  we  have  the  funds,  we 
employ  some  brother  to  labor  in  the  bounds  of  our  As- 
sociation as  far  as  our  means  will  go.'' 

The  meeting  the  following  year  was  with  the  White 
Oak  church.  S.  C.  Eastham  was  made  moderator,  and 
P.  T.  Barrett,  clerk.  A.  Winstead  was  a  visitor  from 
the  OktelDbeha  Association,  and  preached  for  them  at 
11  a.  m.  on  Sunday. 

E.  S.  Clark  was  their  missionary  in  the  bounds  of 
the  Association.  He  spent  eleven  days,  and  traveled 
60  miles,  and  preached  ten  sermons.  Year  b^^  year,  the 
preamble  and  resolutions  were  printed  in  the  Minutes, 
in  which  they  stoutly  refused  co-operation  with  any 
general  body..  Old  maids  are  sometimes  persuaded  to 
marry. 

In  1892,  E.  S.  Clark  was  again  called  on  to  preside 
over  the  body,  and  P.  T.  Barrett  was  the  second  time 
called  on  to  record  their  proceedings.  Letters  were  read 
from  eight  churches,  and  Mars  Hill  church  was  re- 
ceiYed  into  their  union,  and  the  right  hand  of  Fellow- 
ship extended  to  its  delegates  by  the  moderator. 

During  the  sitting  of  the  body,   a  collection  was 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1193 

taken  to  aid  in  building  a  house  of  worship  for  the 
Indians  of  Neshoba  county.  E.  S.  Clark  was  still  their 
missionary,  and  the  treasurer  was  ordered  to  paj-  him 
in  full  for  labors. 

Of  the  reports  we  notice  that  it  is  said,  that  Sunday 
schools  are  "good  for  children,"  as  the3'  train  the  child 
to  think,  and  keep  them  out  of  mischief.  The  Commit- 
tee on  Publications  usually  recommended  Kind  Words 
and  the  Mississippi  Baptist,  edited  by  N.  L.  Clark  at 
Newton. 

In  1893,  S.  C.  Eastham  was  again  chosen  moder- 
ator. Time  about  is  fair  play,  and  neither  he  nor  E.  S. 
Clark  could  complain  of  stolen  honors.  Their  list  of 
ordained  ministers  had  been  reduced  to  three  names : 
E.  L.  Ta3'lor,  S.  C.  Eastham,  and  E.  S.  Clark. 

At  that  time  there  were  nine  churches  in  the  organi- 
zation. Six  of  them  were  in  Neshoba  county,  one  in 
Leake,  one  in  Attala,  and  one  in  Winston.  That  year 
55  persons  were  received  into  the  churches  by  baptism, 
and  the  churches  had  an  aggregate  membership  of  394. 
The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Finance  showed  the 
total  receipts  of  the  year  to  be  $38.45. 

The  following  year  H.  Savell  was  elected  modera- 
tor, and  E.  W.  Pilgrim  was  again  chosen  clerk.  H. 
Savell  is  of  North  Bend,  Neshoba  county.  At  that 
meeting  of  the  body,  on  Sunday,  S.  N.  Smith,  a  Choc- 
taw, preached,  and  explained  his  missionary  work, 
closing  his  services  by  a  praj^er  in  his  own  language. 
He  was  the  Indian  missionar\'  of  the  Pearl  Valley  Asso- 
ciation. 

At  the  session  of  1896,  E.  L.  Taylor  was  chosen  to 
preside  over  the  body.  There  were  thirteen  churches  in 
the  organization  with  a  total  membership  of  607.  Five 
Sunday  schools  were  reported  with  a  total  attendance 
of  177. 


1194  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  pastors  of  the  churches  were:  E.  L.  Taylor,  J. 
J.  Ingram,  E.  S.  Clark,  C.  E.  HolHs,  Z.  M.  Dunn,  and  T, 
G.  Ward. 

The  recommendations  made  by  the  Committee  on 
Publications  Avere,  in  1895,  (|uite  extended.  The  report 
was  signed  by  T.  G.  Ward.  The  Baptist  Record,  The 
Layman,  and  Mississippi  Baptist,  were  all  commended 
as  good  and  safe  reading.  In  the  report  on  Foreign 
missions  is  this  language :  "  We  would  earnestly  recom- 
mend that  the  total  membership  give  this  feature  of  the 
gospel  due  consideration,  and  especially  the  ministers  of 
the  gospel." 

The  Association  of  1896  elected  E.  L.  Tayfor  moder- 
ator, and  S.  0.  Shepperd,  clerk.  The  meeting  Wcis  \vith 
High  Hill  church.  New  Black  Jack  church  was  received 
into  the  organization. 

It  was  in  that  year  that  the  bod^^  began  to  feel  an 
affinity  for  other  equal  and  general  organizations.  C. 
C.  Arn,old  was  sent  as  a  corresponding  messenger  to 
the  General  Association.  The  General  Association  was 
doing  missionary'  work  in  that  section  of  our  State 
among  the  Indians,  and  a  fellow  feeling  produces  kind- 
ness, kindness  leads  to  affection,  and  affection  to  con- 
nection.    These  are  the  linger  boards. 

The  Harmony  Association  was,  at  that  time,  inter- 
esting itself  in  a  high  school  enterprise.  Adjoining  dis- 
sociations were  invited  to  engage  with  them  in  the 
undertaking.  The  Pearl  Valley  gave  the  movement  a 
hearty  approval,  and,  with  maiden  coyness,  "pledged 
co-operation,"  and  invited  auA-  person  interested  in  the 
school  to  canvass  their  territory  in  this  interest,  ap- 
pointing a  c(jmmittee  of  three  to  report  on  the  school 
at  the  annual  sessions  of  the  Association. 

At  their  twelfth   annual   session,  T.  G.  Ward  was 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS  1195 

elected  to  preside  over  the  body,  and  S.  O.  Shepperd 
again  had  charge  of  their  records.  Two  churches  were 
received  into  the  organization,  Friendship,  and  Fort  Ne- 
cessit3^  Corresponding  messengers  were  received  from 
Oktibbeha,  Mt.  Pisgah,  Harmony,  and  Kosciusko  asso- 
ciations. Committees  reported  on  Queries  and  Requests, 
Home,  Foreign,  and  Indiana  Missions,  Sunday  schools, 
Publications,  Temperance,  Nominations,  and  Obit- 
uaries. 

The  report  on  Foreign  Missions  was  concluded 
thus:  "Then  brethren  ot  the  Pearl  Vallc}^  Association, 
let  us  come  up  and  help  in  the  great  work  of  Foreign 
Missions."  By  special  order  of  the  body,  the  money 
they  had  on  hand  tor  Foreign  missions  was  to  be  sent 
to  the  General  Association.  A  bouquet  was  thus  handed 
to  the  General  Association  through  the  garden  gate. 

During  the  associational  year,  their  Executive 
Board  had  H.Savell  employed  at  Park's  School  House, 
and  S.  0.  Shepperd  at  Mt.  Hope.  Scott  York  was  their 
Indian  missionary. 

In  1898,  E.  S.  Clark  was  again  elected  moderator. 
He  held  this  position  in  the  hrst  meeting  of  the  Associa- 
tion. It  is  to  this  worthy  brother  that  we  are  indebted 
for  the  uses  of  a  file  of  Minutes  of  the  institution.  One 
who  knows  him  well  has  said  that  he  is  a  good  man 
and  most  highly  respected  in  all  that  part  of  the  State. 

The  following  resolution  was  printed  in  their  Min- 
utes that  3'ear : 

"Resolved,  Thfit  the  doctrine  now  taught  b\'  H. 
Savell,  viz:  That  the  people  are  not  now  dead  in  tres- 
passes and  in  sin,  is  held  by  this  Association  as  false, 
and  would  recommend  that  his  church  deal  with  him." 

In  1898,  there  were  15  churches  represented  in  the 
Pearl  VallcA',  with   a  total  membership  of  539.     Their 


1196  HISTORY     OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

ordained  ministers  were:  E.  S.  Clark,  E.  L.  Taylor,  T. 
G.  W^rd,  I.  T.  Alassey,  H.  vSavell,  and  vS.  O.  Shepperd. 

The  session  of  1899  was  to  be  held  with  the  East 
Count3^  Line  church,  in  Leake  county.  D.  B.  Cannon 
was  to  preach  the  introductor3'  sermon,  wdth  E.  S. 
Clark  as  alternate,  and  H.  Savell,  the  missionary  sermon. 

In  1898,  the  preamble  and  resolutions  on  co-opera- 
tion were  still  printed  in  their  Minutes.  But  that  year, 
it  was  ordered,  that  "  the  Foreign  and  Indian  mission 
fund  be  sent  to  the  General  Association."  We  are  now 
informed  by  N.  L.  Clark  that  the  Pearl  Valley  is  doing 
some  work  in  co-operation  with  the  General  Associa- 
tion. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1197 


CHAPTER  LI. 

SCOTT   COUNTY   ASSOCIATION. 

This  association  was  what  its  name  indicates,  i.  e., 
an  organization  composed  of  the  churches  in  Scott 
count3\  It  was  composed  largely  of  churches  that  had 
held  membership  in  the  Springfield  Association.  It  was 
constituted  in  1894,  holding  its  first  session  in  that 
year  with  the  church  at  Harpersville.  The  convention, 
called  to  consider  the  subject  of  a  Count\'  Association, 
convened  with  the  church  at  Forest  a  few  months  be- 
fore the  organization  of  the  body. 

For  the  sake  of  lucidness  in  the  stud\^  of  this  insti- 
tution, it  ma3'  be  well  to  say  that  Scott  count\'  is  east 
of  Jackson,  and  lies  directh'  between  the  counties  of 
Rankin  and  Newton.  It  is  inhabited  by  a  thrifty,  hon- 
est, and  industrious  people,  and  is  well  occupied  by 
Baptist  churches.  Its  northern  half  is  in  the  central 
prairie  region  of  our  State,  and  the  southern  half  is  in- 
terspersed with  a  variet\'  of  timber.  The  county  is  de- 
cidedly rolling,  and  noted  for  its  cool  and  refreshing 
springs  of  limpid  freestone  water. 

Its  second  annual  session  was  held  with  the  Jerusa- 
lem church,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county,  begin- 
ning September  7,  1895.  The  introductor3'  sermon 
was  preached  bj^  W.  S.  Ford.  The  officers  of  the  pre- 
vious 3^ear  were  re-elected — Z.  T.  Faulkner,  moderator, 
L.  B.  Bilbro,  clerk,  and  A.  C.  Farmer,   treasurer.     The 


1198  KISTOKY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

bodv  was  at  that  time  composed  of  twelve  churches, 
which  had  a  total  membership  of  53 4  males  and  females. 
The  Association  did  not  have  an  Executive  Board, 
and  the  report  on  missions  that  year  did  not  mention 
an\'  field  of  missionary  labor.  The  report  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Finance  showed,  as  collected  on  the  Sunday'' 
embraced  in  their  sitting,  $5.10  for  Foreign  missions, 
and  $3.10  for  Home  missions. 

A  number  of  the  churches  were  reported  as  being  in 
a  prosperous  condition,  among  which  were  the  Bethle- 
lem,  Harpersville,  Alt.  Olivet,  and  Morton  churches. 
The  Bethlehem  was  the  largest  church  in  the  fraternity, 
having  153  members.  The  Harpersville  church  received 
that  rear  by  baptism  thirteen  persons,  and  the  Alt. 
Olivet,  live. 

The  report  on  Temperance  elicited  a  good  interest. 
Z.  T.  Faulkner  made  a  fine  speech  on  the  subject,  and 
the  privilege  to  vote  upon  the  adoption  of  the  report 
^Yas  granted  to  all  who  were  present.  In  the  report 
read  bv  G.  C.  Harper,  we  find  this  larguage:  "We  be- 
lieve it  contrarj^  to  Christianity  to  encourage  the  whis- 
key traffic  in  anj^  wa3'.  We  would  further  recommend 
the  churches  of  this  Association  to  withdraw  fellowshii3 
from  all  members  who  support  saloons  by  their  vote  or 
patronage."  Reports  were  also  read  on  Sunday  schools 
and  Education. 

The  session  of  1896  was  held  with  the  New  Pros- 
pect church.  J.  Ai.  Pearson  was  chosen  moderator, 
L.  B.  Bilbro,  clerk,  and  A.  C.  Farmer,  treasurer.  There 
were  then  in  the  churches  the  following  ordained  min- 
isters: Z.  T.  Faulkner,  W.  S.  Ford,  J.  AI.  Pearson,  J.  C. 
Foster,  J.  C.  Denson,  and  W.  B.  Brantley. 

Contributions  were  sent  to  the  Association  for  the 
general  objects  fostered  bv  our  convention,  as  follows : 


HISTORV     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1199 

Home  missions  $11.60,  Foreign  missions  $8.65,  State 
missions  $10.45,  Sustentation  $1.10,  Ministerial  Ed- 
ucation $10.00,  and  also  for  Indian  missions  $1.00. 
The  money  on  hand  for  State  missions  was  ordered  to 
be  sent  to  A.  V.  Rowe,  Corresponding'  Secretary  of  the 
Convention  Board. 

At  this  meeting  of  the  Association  interest  centered 
in  an  institution  of  learning  favorably  begun  b^'  the 
Harmon\^  Association,  for  the  fostering  care  of  which 
co-operation  was  invited  from  adjoining  associations. 
This  resolution  was  adopted  by  the  Scott  Count\'  As- 
sociation : 

'^Resolved,  That  the  Scott  County  Association 
hereby  declare  hearty  SA'mpathy  with  and  co-operation 
in  the  movement,  and  that  our  people  be  hereby  urged 
to  lend  their  influence  and  patronage  to  the  school  and 
to  encourage  it  in  ever3^  wa^-  possible.'"  The  agent  of 
the  school  was  invited  to  canvass  their  territor3^  in  the 
interest  of  the  institution.  Mississippi  College  was 
heartily  endorsed. 

The  fourth  annual  session  of  the  body  was  held 
with  the  Mt.  Olivet  church.  The  Mt.  Olivet  church  is 
eight  miles  northwest  of  Forest.  W.  S.  Ford  Avas 
elected  moderator,  L.  B.  Bilbro,  clerk,  and  W.  A.  Gate- 
wood,  treasurer.  The  Beulah  church  was  dismissed  by 
letter  to  join  another  association. 

A.  V.  Rowe  was  present  at  the  opening  of  the  ses- 
sion, and  it  is  said,  "delivered  an  able  discourse  from 
Hebrews  6:18  to  an  attentive  audience.''  Later  in  the 
meeting  he  addressed  the  body  in  the  interest  of  mis- 
sions. He  received  from  the  treasurer  for  Foreign  mis- 
sions $19.85.  A  collection  was  taken  on  Sunday  for 
the  Orphan's  Home  at  Jackson,  amounting  to  $7.20. 

The  fourth  annual  session  was  held  with  the  Hope- 


1200  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

well  church,  convening  on  Saturday  before  the  fourth 
Sundax'  in  October,  1898.  The  officers  of  the  previous 
session  were  re-elected.  There  were  then  eleven  churches 
in  the  Association  w4th  a  total  meml)ership  of  481, 
w^hich  shows  a  loss  in  three  \^ears  of  one  church  and 
53  members.  It  began  to  appear  that  the  organization 
of  the  Scott  County  Association  was  a  misconception. 

About  the  usual  amounts  were  reported  for  the 
missionar\'  fields,  $5.00  for  State  missions,  $4.50  for 
Home  missions,  and  $4.00  paid  N.  L.  Clark  for  Indian 
missions.  These  amounts  passed  through  the  hands  of 
the  treasurer.  Of  course,  they  did  not  cover  the  contri- 
butions made  b}^  the  body  to  missions.  Nearly  all  our 
churches  send  their  contributions  to  the  various  boards 
before  the  meeting  of  their  respective  associations.  But 
the  Association  w^as  not  satisfied  with  the  lack  of  pro- 
gress shown  b\'  them,  and  their  leading  men  were  cast- 
ing about  in  their  minds  for  a.broader  basis  of  w^ork. 

In  1899,  a  committee  was  raised,  to  consider  the 
advisabilitj'  of  seeking  larger  fraternal  relations  in  the 
union  of  the  Scott  County  and  the  Springfield  associa 
tions,  nor  did  the  Springfield  seem  disinclined  to  the 
wedlock.  The  committee  consisted  of  J.  IVI.  Stephen- 
son, G.  A.  Park,  J.  T.  Sessum,  W.  A.  Gatew^ood,  and 
J.  W.  Jones.  The  committee  w'as  to  report  at  that 
sitting  of  the  body.  The\^  advi.sed  tne  consolidation  of 
the  two  institutions,  and  recommended  the  appoint- 
ment of  one  delegate  from  each  of  their  churches  to 
meet  a  like  delegation  from  the. Springfield  Association 
at  the  place  and  time  that  should  be  indicated  by  the 
Springfield.  Their  delegates  were  to  lie  clothed  with 
power  to  act  for  their  association.  J.  AI.  Stephenson, 
of  Morton,  was  chairman  of  the  committee  which  made 
these  suggestions. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1201 

In  the  year  1900,  the  Association  met  with  the 
church  at  Morton.  This  historian,  in  company  with 
T.  J.  Longmire,  of  Pelahatchie,  presented  himself  Ijefore 
the  Association  on  Monday,  and  was  in  time  to  take 
part  in  the  formation  of  the  nuptial  relation  consum- 
mated between  the  two  loving  associations.  It  was 
found  that  all  the  churches  of  the  Association  had  in- 
structed their  delegates  to  go  into  the  new  affinities, 
and  the  representations  of  the  churches  of  the  Spring- 
field Association  were  present  with  the  same  loving 
intent.     Seldom  has  love  been  more  reciprocal. 

The  convention  for  the  purpose  of  organizing-  the 
new  association  made  Z.  T.  Leavell  jjresident,  who^ 
officiated  with  good  grace  in  the  consummation  of  their 
nuptial  vows.  Fifteen  churches  were  represented.  H.  H. 
Harper  presented  a  resolution  which  was  adopted,  to 
the  effect  that  the  new  body  be  called  the  Hopewell 
Association.  Z.  T.  Faulkner  was  chosen  moderator, 
Hi  Esterland,  clerk,  and  W.  A.  Gatewood,  treasurer,, 
and  they  were  ready  for  housekeeping. 

Rules  of  Decorum,  Gospel  Order  and  Abstract  of 
Faith  of  the  Scott  County  Association  were  adopted, 
and  Z.  T.  Faulkner,  S.  H.  Kirkland,  and  J.  M.  Stephen- 
son appointed  as  representatives  to  the  next  meeting 
of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention,  and  the  honey- 
moon was  waxing  warmer,  and  preparations  for  work 
begun.  Ma3'  the  Lord  bless  the  union  through  all 
coming  years. 

Z.  T.  Faulkner  appears  to  have  been  a  leading  man 
in  the  Scott  County  Association.  He  was  the  first 
moderator  of  the  body,  and  afterwards  was  honored 
bv  his  brethren  bv  being  placed  in  the  same  position  in 
1896,  1898,  and  1900.  In  1897,  F.  W.  Suddoth,  of" 
Hillsboro,  was  their  moderator,  and,  in  1898,  W.  S. 
Ford  presided  over  the  body. 


1202  HISTORY    OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS, 

S.  H.  Kirkland  is  a  lawyer  by  profession,  is  a  ready 
and  Spicy  speaker,  and  added  much  interest  to  the 
meetings  of  the  body.  He  is  now^  w'^ell  advanced  in 
years  and  is  universally  respected  for  his  talent  and 
probity.  Sometimes  he  is  called  upon  to  act  as  district 
attorne3^  in  his  judicial  district,  which  position  he  fills 
with  credit  and  distinction. 

J.  M.  Stephenson  is  a  merchant  in  Morton.  He  was 
reared  an  orphan,  and  is  an  independent  thinker.  His 
business  has  grown  through  the  passing  years,  and  his 
circumstances  are  eas^^  He  has  been  sheriff  of  his 
county  and  won  an  enviable  record  as  a  county  official. 
He  is  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  in  Morton. 

Dr.  J.  N.  Denson  is  a  man  of  great  catholicity,  a 
good  speaker,  and  an  ardent  Sunday-school  worker. 
He  comes  of  worthy  ancestry,  and  is  universally  es- 
teemed. Other  members  of  the  Scott  Count^^  Associa- 
tion arc  equally  as  worthy  as  these  who  have  received 
favorable  mention,  but  are  not  so  well  known  b}^  the 
Avriter.  May  many  years  of  usefulness  be  granted 
them. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1203 


CHAPTER  LII. 

TALLAHALA    ASSOCIATION'. 

Of  this  association  little  is  known  by  the  writer. 
Repeated  efforts  have  been  made  to  get  some  informa- 
tion as  to  the  churches  composing  it,  its  constitution, 
and  its  operations,  but  all  in  vain.  Some  facts  will 
elude  our  grasp,  and  are  not  to  be  overtaken  by  our 
best  eiforts. 

Six  months  agone,  N.  L.  Clark  suggested  that 
needed  information  could  ])e  gotten  as  to  the  workings 
of  this  bodj'  from  M.  Walters,  of  Laurel.  He  was  writ- 
ten to,  and  the  letter  returned  to  the  writer,  as  he  had, 
doubtless,  changed  his  postoffice.  Then  N.  L.  Robert- 
son was  appealed  to  for  information,  who  was  confi- 
dent that  he  could  get  all  the  wanted  facts.  Some 
months  passed,  and  he  \vas  written  to  again  urgently. 
He,  in  reply,  expressed  great  surprise  that  the  facts  had 
not  been  forwarded  to  me  some  time  before,  and  said 
that  he  would  write  to  M.  P.  Bush,  of  Laurel,  to  send 
Minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  body  at  once.  No 
Minutes  came,  and  then  this  historian  wrote  to  M.  P. 
Bush,  and  has  not  been  able  to  hear  from  him  to  this 
Avriting.  Happy  Tallahala,  to  this  writer,  the  receding 
rainbows  end,  a  "  will-o'-the-wisp,"  the  food  ofTantalus. 


1204  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER   LIII. 

THE   LEBANON   ASSOCIATION. 

This  Association  was  formed  for  the  convenience 
and  development  of  the  churches  along  and  near  the 
New  Orleans  and  Northeastern  Railroad.  The^-  were 
along  this  railroad  from  the  State  line  on  the  south  to 
Meridian  on  the  north.  These  churches  were  at  Nichol- 
son, Poplarville,  Lumberton,  Purvis,  Hattiesburg,  El- 
lisville,  Laurel,  Sandersville,  Immanuel  Church  of  Mer- 
idian. The  two  churches,  not  on  the  line  of  this  railroad 
were,  Indian  Springs,  near  Hattiesburg,  and  Augusta,, 
the  county  seat  of  Perry  county. 

In  response  to  a  proposition  made  through  the 
Baptist  Record,  the  delegates  representing  churches 
\vishing  to  form  a  new  association  met  at  Hattiesburg, 
November  27, 1894.  The  churches  are  indicated  by  the 
names  of  the  places  just  mentioned.  The  delegates  that 
assembled  were  buoj^ant  with  hope  for  the  future  of 
their  section  of  the  countrj',  and  were  men  of  energy 
and  enterprise.  They  were  also  men  who  believed  they 
espoused  something  and  had  honest  convictions  as  to 
the  truth,  the  basis  upon  which  their  denomination  of 
Christians  was  established. 

The  Association  w^as  not  named  for  anything  in  its 
bounds.  Nearly  all  the  associations  in  South  Missis- 
sippi were  named  for  some  creek  or  river  that  threaded 
their  territory.     There  is  no  Mt.  Lebanon  in  that  part 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1205 

of  the  countr\',  nor  is  there  a  Lebanon  church  in  the 
union.  A  committee  was  formed  in  the  first  meeting  ot 
the  bod\^  to  give  a  name  to  the  organization.  Their 
report  is  in  the  Minutes.  The  Association  was  named 
for  Mount  Lebanon  in  S^-ria.  The  mountain  is  noted 
for  its  fruitfulness,  and  for  its  tall  sweetly-scented 
cedars,  whose  roots  fasten  upon  the  rocks  of  the  ever- 
lasting hills.  In  the  closing  paragraph  of  the  report  we 
find  this  language:  "Ma3^  the  children  of  God  who 
have  and  who  shall  be  hereafter  united  in  the  work  of 
the  Lord  in  this  Association,  have  abundant  grace  to 
grow  higher  in  the  divine  life,  and  become  stronger 
every  da3%  like  the  beautiful  cedars  of  Lebanon.'" 

As  to  the  motives  that  actuated  the  originators  of 
this  union,  no  happier  expression  could  be  given  to 
them  than  we  find  from  the  smoothly  flowing  pen  of 
O.  D.  Bo  wen.  He  was  appointed  to  write  a  brief  intro- 
duction to  the  first  Minutes  of  the  first  meeting  of  the 
bodj'-,  setting  forth  the  objects  and  purposes  of  the  As- 
sociation. This  introduction  is  historic  and  will  be 
given  in  full. 

"Acting  in  compliance  with  the  request  of  the  Leb- 
anon Baptist  Association,  the  writer  takes  pleasure  in 
introducing  this  bod\^  of  fellow-laborers  to  the  broth- 
erhood throughout  the  country-,  and  would  state  the 
motive  b_v  which  the  churches  were  actuated  in  forming 
the  body,  and  the  object  for  which  it  was  organized. 

"1.  We  believe  that  the  principle  of  love  to  God 
and  love  to  man  influenced  God's  people  to  do  what 
they  believed  would  promote  his  glory  and  the  well- 
being  of  his  creatures,  and  being  guided,  as  we  believe, 
by  the  spirit  and  providence  of  God,  and  in  the  exercise 
of  their  God-given  freedom  of  church  independence,  thev 
have  organized  this  Association  in  the  district  of  coun- 


1200  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

try  in  which   the  Creator   has   placed   them,  and  in  so 
doinjy  they  feel  assui'ed  of  his  approbation. 

"2.  The  object  or  purpose  for  which  this  Associa- 
tion was  organized  is  consonance  with  the  foregoing. 
But  to  be  more  explicit :  It  is  that  churches  may, 
through  the  union  of  consecrated  forces,  carry  out  the 
will  of  the  great  head  of  the  church,  as  found  in 
Matt.  28:19,  20  — "Go  ye,  therefore,  and  teach  all 
nations,"  etc.  It  is  its  purpose  to  assist  in  extending 
the  Redeemer's  kingdom  from  the  pine  woods  of  Alis- 
sissippi  to  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth,  to  give  the 
gospel  to  the  poor,  to  rescue  the  perishing,  to  lift  up 
the  fallen,  to  promote  the  interest  of  the  Savior"s  cause 
among  men  b\'  fostering  and  helping  ever\'  branch  of 
Christian  benevolence  as  outlined  in  the  Holy  Scripture. 
It  is  also  its  purpose  to  wage  an  aggressive  war  against 
every  form  of  evil  which  blights  our  land. 

"3.  This  Association  of  churches  has  taken  its 
stand  by  the  side  of  the  infallible  word  of  God,  and  will 
contend  earnestly  for  the  faith  which  was  once  delivered 
to  the  saints.  The  principle  of  unfailing  fidelity  to 
Christ  is  inscribed  upon  its  l)anner,  and  in  His  name  we 
trust,  and  upon  the  Holy  Spirit  we  rely  for  success. 
We  extend  the  hand  of  fraternal  fellowship  to  our  sister 
associations,  and  crave  an  interest  in  the  SA-mpathies, 
love  and  prayers  of  God's  people,"'  etc. 

At  9  :  30  a.  m.  the  devotional  exercises  were  begun, 
L.  M.  Stone,  of  Meridian,  conducting  the  meeting. 
O.  D.  Bowen  was  called  on  to  preside  over  the  body  in 
its  temporary'  organization  and  Charles  G.  Elliott  to 
act  as  clerk.  The  churches  and  delegates  being  enrolled, 
b\'  unanimous  vote  the  temporar\^  ofHcer^were  elected 
to  act  in  the  permanent  organization.  The  constitu- 
tion,   articles   of   faith,   and    rules   of    decorum    being 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS,  1207 

adopted,  the  child  jjroperly  named  and  the  committees 
formed,  the  bed}' went  regularly  at  work.  It  may  be 
well  to  say  that  to  this  da\'  the  union  has  not  found  it 
necessary  to  change  its  moderator  or  its  clerk. 

The  first  act  of  the  organized  body  was  to  assert 
itself  as  to  its  alliance  £ind  co-operation  with  the  Bap- 
tist State  Convention  in  all  the  departments  of  its 
work.  Five  delegates  to  the  Baptist  State  Convention 
were  appointed  by  the  moderator,  and  an  executive 
committee  of  live  Wcis  raised  to  correspond  and  co-op- 
erate with  the  State  Convention  Board  with  a  pros- 
pect of  supplying  destitute  places  in  their  bounds.  The 
first  Executive  Committee  consisted  of  L.  E.  Hall,  T.  J. 
Hardy,  W.  B.  Holcomb,  W.  C.  Anderson,  and  W.  W. 
Mitchell.  The  body  recognized  the  presence  of  J.  A. 
Hackett,  L.  AI.  Stone,  A.  V.  Rowe,  J.  L.  Finley,  T.E.  H. 
Robinson,  J.  P.  Williams,  X.  L.  Robertson,  and  J.  E. 
Davis. 

The  first  report  read  before  the  ])()d\'  was  on  tem- 
perance. It  expressed  the  firm  conviction  that  prohibi- 
tion was  the  only  correct  moral  attitude  of  the  church 
of  Christ  as  to  the  li(iuor  traffic,  and  that  individuals 
and  churches  should  use  their  influence  at  the  ballot  for 
the  election  of  men,  who  oppose  the  evil  of  strong  drink. 

The  subject  of  Ministerial  Education  was  well  pres- 
ented by  a  committee,  of  which  C.  G.  Elliott  was  chair- 
man. The  report  on  Sunday  schools  was  peculiarly 
fitting.  It  cut  to  the  point  at  once.  The  churches  re- 
ported 1,002  pupils  in  their  Sunday  schools,  while  thev 
had  a  total  membership  of  onh'  1,131.  That  was  ex- 
cellent. Joy  was  expressed  that  B.  X.  Hatch  was  doing 
work  under  the  Convention  Board  as  State  evangelist 
for  Sunday  schools.  The  report  on  Missions  covered 
the  field,  and  the  report  on  Publications  was  satisfac- 
tory, and  in  line  with  all  th.e  organized  work. 


1208  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  first  session  of  the  Lebanon  presaged  an  exist- 
'cnce  of  nsefnhiess  for  the  body.  It  had  in  it  an  unusual 
number  of  strong  men.  The  names  of  eight  ordained 
ministers  were  in  the  printed  list,  and  three  promising 
licentiates. 

The  second  session  of  the  Lebanon  was  held  with 
the  church  at  Poplar ville,  beginning  September  12, 
1895.  The  Heidelberg  church,  which  hoped  to  enter 
into  the  constitution  of  the  Association  the  j'car' before, 
^'as  received  into  the  union.  The  Association  was  then 
composed  of  thirteen  well  organized  churches.  The  age 
of  the  same  churches  appears  in  the  Minutes.  In  some 
of  the  Minutes  of  the  oldest  associations  the  number  of 
vears  the  churches  had  been  in  existence  was  given.  It 
is  good  information.  The  Ellisville  church  was  the  old- 
est, being  constituted  in  1882.  Of  the  thirteen  churches 
that  composed  the  Lebanon,  the  Elhs ville  church  was 
also  the  largest,  having  202  members.  The  Hatties- 
burg  church,  constituted  in  1884,  had  a  membership  of 
185.  The  Heidelberg  church  was  the  smallest,  having 
only  twenty  members.  The  total  membership  of  the 
churches  had  increased  during  the  associational  year 
from  1,131  to  1,183,  but  the  attendance  upon  the  Sun- 
day schools  had  largely  decreased,  falling  back  to  a 
total  of  740. 

The  statistical  table  of  1895  makes  a  fine  financial 
showing.  None  of  the  benevolences  fostered  by  our 
people  seemed  to  be  overlooked.  Their  contributions 
to  State  missions,  Home  missions,  Foreign  missions, 
Sustentation,  Ministerial  Education,  the  Southern  Bap- 
tist Theological  Seminary,  Local  Benevolence,  Sunday 
School  work,  and  pastors'  salary  made  a  grand  total 
of  $5,875.15.  Seven  of  the  thirteen  churches  had  prayer 
meeting  weekly. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1209 

Two  or  three  of  the  reports  put  before  the  body 
have  in  them  the  important  facts  as  to  their  projected 
work.  The  report  on  Colportage  read  by  R.  A.  Vena- 
ble  has  in  it  three  wise  recommendations.  As  the  Leb- 
anon was  3^oung,  co-operation  was  suggested  with  the 
Chickasahay  Association  in  the  employment  of  an 
efficient  colporteur,  and  that  a  committee  be  appointed 
to  confer  with  the  mother  association  about  the  mat- 
ter, and  the  assistance  of  the  Convention  Board  sought.  • 

The  report  on  Woman's  Work  decried  "women 
preachers,"  but  declared  that  the  women  in  their  legiti- 
mate work  needed  the  encouragement  and  aid  of  the 
pastors  in  organizing  societies  and  carrying  on  their 
w^ork.  The  report  of  Mrs.  E.  V.  Clark,  the  vice-presi- 
dent of  Woman's  Work  in  the  Association,  was  ap- 
pended to  the  annual  report.  Six  societies  were  re- 
ported. These  societies  were  weak  but  cheerful,  and 
were  aiding  in  missionary  and  church  work. 

The  Association  of  1896  met  with  the  Ellisville 
church  on  Thursday  morning,  September  17.  All  of 
the  churches  were  well  represented.  The  Shady  Grove 
church,  Jasper  count\%  was  received  into  the  union,  and 
also  the  Lacey  Baptist  church.  The  visitors  were  A.\'. 
Rowe,  J.  G.  Sibley,  J.  M.  Phillips,  and  J.  A.  Hackett. 
The  associational  sermon  was  preached  by  \V.  B.  Hol- 
comb  on  the  "  Guidance  of  the  Hoh^  Spirit."' 

Dr.  Whitsitt,  on  the  histor\'  of  English  Baptists, 
received  more  than  a  passing  notice.  Early  in  the  ses- 
sion a  resolution  was  offered  by  W.  M.  Conner  on  the 
subject,  which  was  referred  to  a  committee  of  three, 
which  had  instruction  to  report  during  the  sitting  of 
the  body.  Few  men  have  the  opportunity  of  producing 
a  more  far-reaching  sensation  than  did  that  noted 
scholar.    How  it  ever  impressed  itself  on  him  to  malign 


1210  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS, 

his  own  (lenoinination  taxes  thouoht.  The  reputation 
of  having  found  something  new  in  histor\'  must  have 
been  very  seductive  to  him.  It  did  not  re(]uire  any  great 
length  of  time  for  the  committee  appointed  to  tie  their 
"whereas''  and  "resolved""  together.  The  gun  was 
loaded,  and  all  they  had  to  do  was  to  pull  back  the 
hammer.  Thought  was  already  formulated,  and  sen- 
timent established.  And  why  should  it  not  have  been 
so.  The  rough  hand  had  been  placed  on  the  heritage 
of  the  fathers,  and  an  attempt  made  to  mutilate  Bap- 
tist history,  and  that  too  by  the  president  of  our  South- 
ern Theological  Seminary. 

The  report  on  Colportage  read  bj^  L.  E.  Hall  was 
brief.  It  could  not  give  the  work  done  in  the  co-opera- 
tion with  the  Chickasahay  Association,  Ijut  recom- 
mended that  the  committee  be  continued  with  instruc- 
tion to  learn  the  amount  of  debt  incurred  bA'  the  joint 
committee.  It  is  not  stated  in  the  Minutes  that  the 
report  was  discussed.  While  the  enterprise  seemed  in  a 
discouraging  condition,  much  good  work  was  being 
done  b^^  the  colporteur,  J.  M.  Phillips,  in  East  Alissis- 
sippi.  He  was  cordially  invited,  b^'  resolution,  to  A'isit 
any  part  of  the  territory  of  the  Lebanon  Association. 

The  remaining  five  years  of  the  history-  of  this  As- 
sociation, we  shall  consider  topically,  as  matters  had 
so  far  formulated  in  1S97  in  the  organization  that  no 
movement  threaded  its  wa\'  through  the  consecutive 
year.  The  topical  method  allows  due  consideration 
for  each  line  of  work  in  uninterrupted  sequence. 

Each  3'ear  the  Lebanon  had  a  strong  report  on 
temperance.  True,  the  prohibition  movement  had  won 
acceptance  before  the  formation  of  this  Association. 
The  counties  in  which  the  churches  were  locfited  were 
all  under   ])rohibitory  law  before  the  origin  of  this  m"- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1211 

organization.  But  a  drink  made  of  hops  was  for  a 
time  allowed  as  a  beverage  b\'  State  law.  The  law 
was  abused,  and  certain  proportion  of  alcohol  put  into 
the  liquid,  beyond  the  limitation  set  bj^  the  State,  which 
could  only  be  discerned  by  a  strict  chemical  anah^sis. 

In  1895,  the  Lebanon  passed  the  following  resolu- 
tion : 

"'Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  the  churches  com- 
posing the  Leijanon  Baptist  Association  assembled  at 
Purvis,  Mississippi,  December  2,  1S97,  that  the  law 
legalizing  the  sale  of  what  is  known  as  'hop  tea'  should 
be  repealed,  as  the  retention  of  this  law  on  our  statute 
books  is  a  reflection  upon  the  fair  name  of  the  State  of 
Mississippi.''  It  was  recommended  that  the  churches 
should  circulate,  as  citizens,. petitions,  requesting  the 
legislature  to  repeal  the  odious  law.  The  law  \vas  re- 
pealed. 

The  two  following  years  the  evil  of  strong  drink 
was  strongh'  condemned.  But,  in  the  \'ear  1900,  an- 
other dodge  of  the  demon  drink  was  being  closely  ob- 
served. The  stringent  laws  made  by  the  last  meeting 
of  the  legislature  to  scout  the  "blind  tigers"  was  heart- 
ily approved.  This  screened  beast,  wily  though  it  is, 
has  been  captured  too  often,  but  having  multitudinous 
shapes,  it  appears  in  the  dark  and  secluded  spots  of  our 
town,  and  lurks  there  despite  the  most  sleepless  vigi- 
lance. A  correct  public  sentiment  is  in  all  grades  of 
society,  and  a  due  respect  for  reigning  law  is  the  only 
corrective  of  the  secluding  evil. 

Some  of  the  warmest  supporters  of  sustentation 
are  in  East  Mississippi.  Capt.  \V.  H.  Hardy,  long  of 
Meridian,  lately  of  Hattiesburg,  was  the  first  president 
of  the  State  Convention  to  insist  upon  the  formation 
of  a  Board  of  Sustentation,  and  the  first  Board  foster. 


1212  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

ing  this  benevolence  was  in  Meridian.  In  1896,  it  was 
said  that  the  Lebanon  was  taking  more  interest  in 
sustentation  than  before,  and  that  there  was  great 
need  among  the  superannuated  ministers  in  the  State. 
In  1899,  seven  churches  of  the  Association  contributed 
to  the  sustentation  fund,  and  the  following  year  this 
number  of  the  churches  was  increased  by  one. 

For  a  part  of  the  period  of  the  history  of  this  or- 
ganization we  are  now  considering,  the  Baptist  Con- 
vention paper  was  published  in  Meridian.  They  were 
true  to  The  Record.  No  word  of  complaint  as  to  that 
paper  appears  on  their  Minutes.  The  Record  was  re- 
commended that  3'ear  as  worthy  of  support,  and  re- 
iiewed  mention. 

In  1898,  in  the  report  it  is  said  :  "  We  are  glad  to 
learn,  that  the  Baptist  Record  and  the  Layman  have 
been  purchased  by  a  stock  company  with  the  view  of 
giving  us  one  large,  sound,  well-managed,  well-edited 
paper,  and  we  earnestly  recommend  that  our  people 
give  this  new  paper  their  hearty  endorsement  and  sup- 
port." It  is  seen  that  there  was  no  ill  will  engendered 
by  the  removal  of  the  paper  interest  from  Meridian  to 
Jackson. 

In  1899,  the  redubitable  J.  R.  Parish  was  chairman 
of  the  Committee  on  Publications.  He  loved  the  Bap- 
tist Record  as  none  of  the  rest  of  us  loved  it — his  affec- 
tion for  it  was  unfailing.  He  said :  "  We  recommend  to 
our  people  to  give  our  new  Baptist  paper  a  tair  and 
honest  chance  to  accomplish  its  great  and  important 
mission.''  The  price  of  the  new  paper  was  $2.00  a 
year.  Some  objected  to  this.  They  said  they  could 
get  papers  for  half  the  amount.  The  answer  was  given 
"A  ton  of  rotten  corn  is  worth  less  than  a  peck  of 
sound."    In  1901,  the  Association  was  urged  to  observe 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  121,S 

the  second  Siinday  in  December  as  the  "  Baptist  day," 
with  a  special  effort  to  increase  the  circulation  of  the 
paper. 

None  of  our  cherished  benevolences  are  more  readily 
supported  than  the  Mississippi  Baptist  Orphanage. 
It  m£lkes  no  appeals  for  support,  but  it  has  not  known 
a  day  of  real  need .  The  commendations  of  the  Lebanon, 
and  its  ready  support,  was  hearty  from  the  opening  of 
the  doors  of  the  institution.  In  1899  they  said :  "It 
behooves  us  to  keep  this  work  in  view,  remembering 
that  there  is  a  crj'ing  need  for  everything  given.*'  In 
1901,  the  prospective  central  building  of  the  Orphanage 
was  spoken  of  encouragingh',  and  doubtless,  many  of 
the  good  men  of  the  Lebanon  have  bricks  in  that  build- 
ing, now  being  occupied  b^^  the  Lord's  little  ones. 

Woman's  Work  was  tenderly  fostered  by  this  new 
organization.  The  kindly  treatment  of  the  work  b\' 
the  brethren  has  in  it  the  courtly  bearing  of  Christian 
gentlemen.  They  w^ere  ever  ready  to  extend  a  hand 
politely  to  the  women  toiling  upwards  in  the  Master's 
work.  Mrs.  E.  V.  Clark,  vice-president  in  1897,  was 
requested  to  visit  all  of  their  churches  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible and  organize  societies,  and  they  w^ould  raise  the 
money  to  pay  her  expenses.  The  next  ^^ear  she  reported 
that  the  funds  raised  for  her  expenses  were  more  than  am- 
ple, and  that  she  had  organized  seven  societies.  In  1899, 
vshe  reported  $65.00  given  to  the  frontier  missionaries, 
and  $135.69  through  the  regular  quarterly  collections. 
Her  report  was  happilj^  spoken  to  by  Mitchell,  Hall, 
Elliott,  Roper,  and  Parish.  In  1901,  the  Association's 
vice  president,  Sister  Bessie  L.  Stapleton,  organized  ten 
societies,  and  W.  B.  Holcomb  three,  making  a  total  of 
sixteen  societies  in  the  Association. 

The  Lebanon  has  not  supported  an  annual  Sunday 


1214  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

School  Convention,  l)ut  has  kept  up  a  liveh'  interest  in 
the  work.  The  body  has  more  than  the  usual  number 
of  town  churches  to  be  found  in  similar  organizations 
in  the  State,  which  has  favored  the  average  attendance 
upon  the  Sunda}-  schools  until  it  stands  so  far  as  is 
known  without  an  equal  in  the  associations  of  the 
State  in  the  ratio  of  Sunday-school  pupils  to  the  church 
membership.  In  1898,  five  churches  of  the  body  re- 
ported Sunda\'  schools  with  an  attendance  larger  than 
their  church  membership,  and  in  1899,  nine  churches 
made  a  like  report.  While  the  Association  had  gained 
in  the  current  year  in  church  membership  123,  it  had 
gained  in  attendance  upon  the  Sunday  schools  367. 
The  total  membership  of  the  churches  that  year  was 
1,746,  the  number  of  Sunda3^-school  scholars  was  1,756. 
In  1900,  in  the  report  on  this  subject,  it  is  said:  "We 
note  that  there  has  been  an  increase  of  one  Sunday 
school.  The  Lebanon  is  the  banner  association  of  the 
State  in  the  Sunday  school  procession. 

The  reports  placed  before  the  Association  on  Educa- 
tion usualh'  embraced  Ministerial  Education,  Stone 
Female  College,  and  Alississippi  College,  and  were 
usualh'  well  discussed.  Sometimes  Hillman  College,  or 
Blue  Alountain  Female  College  would  receive  favorable 
mention. 

The  Association  adopted  the  one-report  method  as 
to  missions,  and  retained  the  method  year  by  year.  In 
1899,  these  preambles  and  resolutions  were  adopted  : 

"  Whereas,  the  Gulf  and  Ship  Island  Railroad  has 
opened  up  an  important  field  for  mission  work  between 
Hattiesburg  and  the  Gulf,  and 

"Whereas,  the  Baptists  along  this  road  are  turn- 
ing to  the  State  Convention  for  help  in  developing  the 
spiritual  condition  of  this  country',  and 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1215 

"  Whereas,  we  know  that  now  is  the  time  to  oc- 
cupy the  field,  if  we  are  going  to  do  so  at  all,  therefore, 

^'Resolved,  First,  that  we  urge  our  Convention 
Board  to  put  at  least  two  strong  men  on  this  road,  at 
once,  if  they  can  be  secured. 

Second,  that  these  men  he  suj^ported  iDy  the  Board, 
so  they  can  turn  their  attention  to  building  up  churches 
along  the  line  and  planting  others,  instead  of  having  to 
try  to  get  their  support  from  the  field."' 

The  Gulf  and  Ship  Island  Railroad  travei'sed  the 
centre  of  their  territory,  and  they  began  to  prepare  for 
the  onset.  In  1899,  it  was  said  that  telling  results  of 
missionary- work  could  be  seen  in  the  spiritual  condition 
of  that  neglected  country.  L.  E.  Hall  was  making 
himself  felt  along  the  Gulf  and  Ship  Island  Railroad, 
and  in  the  contiguous  country.  J.  G.  Sibley  was  fur- 
ther south,  and  J.  B.  Searcv  on  the  coast.  They  were 
strong  men,  well  equipped,  and  well  adapted  to  the 
undertaking. 

Three  or  four  things  must  in  conclusion  l3e  said 
about  this  intelligent  and  progressive  bod3\  Its  Min- 
utes are  all  neat,  legible  and  shapeh".  They  attract 
attention,  and  provoke  remark.  The  Alinutes  of  1894 
were  printed  by  John  M.  Alurphy,  at  Meridian,  and  are 
pleasing  to  the  eye.  From  that  time  on  they  were 
printed  by  the  Brandon  News,  and  were,  without  ex- 
ception, models  of  mechanical  skill. 

The  field  of  the  Association  is  ideal.  The  churches 
are,  in  the  main,  in  good  towns,  and  composed  of  a 
people  who  are  working  together  for  the  development 
of  their  country,  without  jealousy  or  ill-feeling,  and 
with  all  of  the  sturdy  mental  and  spiritual  build  of 
men  well  reared  in  good  country  homes,  and  trained  in 
scrupulous  country  churches  Such  men  constitute  a 
large  part  of  the  wealth  ot  our  State. 


1216  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  evident  life  of  the  Lebanon  is  itself  attractive. 
It  is  life  well  directed.  The  irrefragable  lightning  will 
rend  the  oak  to  splinters,  but  the  controlled  electricity 
moves  harmless  to  the  accruing  benefit  of  man.  Life 
well  directed  is  needful  in  the  promotion  of  all  benevo- 
lent enterprises.   Such  is  the  life  instinct  in  the  Lebanon. 

There  has  been  displayed  by  the  body  a  beautiful 
harmony  ot  action.  No  page  of  the  Minutes  is  blurred 
b^^  the  appearance  of  rancor.  "Blest  be  the  tie  that 
binds  our  hearts  in  Christian  love"  is  a  good  old  Bap- 
tist song,  written  by  a  Baptist  preacher,  and  surely 
from  him,  the  members  of  the  Lebanon  are  in  direct  line 
of  succession.  The  blessings  of  high  heaven  remain 
with  the  Lebanon. 


HISTORY    OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1217 


CHAPTER  LIV. 

TRINITY   ASSOCIATION. 

The  Trimt3^  Association  is  in  the  counties  of  Chick- 
asaw, Clay,  and  Webster.  It  was  constituted  in  Octo- 
ber, 1895,  of  churches  from  the  Aberdeen,  Columbus, 
and  Zion  Associations,  it  was  the  Trinity. 

The  churches  that  went  into  the  constitution  of  the 
body  were:  Bethel,  Cross  Roads,  Montpelier,  Pine 
Bluff,  Pleasant  Ridge,  Double  Springs,  Spring  Creek, 
Mount  Pleasant,  Maben,  Cumberland,  Arbor  Grove, 
and  Wake  Forest.  The  churches  that  have  been  re- 
ceived since  are :  Amit}^,  College  Hill,  Arbor  Springs, 
Monta  Vista,  Bentley,  and  Hohenlinden. 

J.  F.  Mitchell  was  moderator  of  the  Trinity  Asso- 
ciation at  its  five  sessions  from  its  constitution,  S.  M. 
Hightower  w^as  clerk  for  four  years  c^nd  L.  M.  Pearsall 
has  been  treasurer  through  the  existence  of  the  body. 
S.  M.  Cole  was  moderator  in  1900  and  1901,  and  A.  J. 
Davis  is  at  present  their  efficient  clerk. 

The  ministers  in  the  organizationof  the  Association 
were:  vS.  M.  Cole,  J.  L.  Arnold,  A.  J.  Porter,  J.  A.  Dal- 
ton,  J.  F.  Mitchell. 

The  second  annual  session  of  the  bod3^  was  held 
with  the  Pleasant  Ridge  church,  and  the  third  with  the 
Cross  Roads  church,  beginning  October  22,  1897. 
Eighteen  churches  were  represented,  which  had  a  total 
membersliip   of  1,252.     The  prominent  visitors  were: 


1218  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

David  Burney  of  the  Chester  Association,  J.  L.  Wilson 
of  the  Aberdeen,  A.  V.  Rowe,  Corresponding  Secretarr 
ot  the  Convention  Board,  and  W.  A.  Hurt,  representing 
the  Layman.  The  usual  reports  were  made  on  Pas- 
toral Support,  S^^stematic  Benevolence,  Periodicals, 
Home  and  State  missions.  Temperance,  Aiinisterial 
Education,  and  Sunday'  schools.  The  churches  gave 
that  3'ear  to  Home  missions  $14-. 80,  and  to  Foreign 
missions  $18.91. 

The  fourth  annual  session  was  held  with  the  Arbor 
Grove  church,  the  fifth,  with  Spring  Creek,  and  the 
sixth  at  Mount  Pleasant  church  of  Webster  county. 

In  1900,  there  were  20  churches  in  the  Association 
with  an  aggregate  of  1,321  members.  The  Wake  For- 
est church  was  the  largest,  having  a  total  membership 
of  153.  S.  M.  Cole  was  their  pastor.  The  next  in 
numbers  was  the  Bethel  church  with  an  enrollment  of 
119.  J.  F.  Mitchell  was  their  pastor.  The  third  in  size 
A\'^as  the  Cross  Roads  church  which  had  a  church  list  of 
103. 

The  Finance  Committee  of  that  year  reported  re- 
ceived for  Foreign  missions  $51.65,  for  State  missions 
■$1.50,  for  Home  missions  $10.15,  and  for  the  Orphan- 
age $9.20. 

Among  the  reports  of  committees,  we  find  this  state- 
ment in  the  report  on  Temperance:  "We  learn  that 
ninety  per  cent,  of  the  inmates  of  the  penitentiary  are 
there  from  the  effect  of  the  liquor  traffic."  The  report 
of  the  Committe  on  Periodicals  recommended  The  Bap- 
tist, of  Jackson,  Miss.,  The  Texas  Baptist  Standard, 
The  Pastoral  Visitor,  and  the  i^ore/g"72  Amission  Journal. 
A  good  report  on  the  Orphanage  was  presented  by  A. 
M.  George,  chairmain  of  the  committee.  In  the  report 
of  the  Committee  on  Sunday  Schools,  we  find  this  Ian- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1219 

guage :  "With  much  regret  we  noticed  from  the  read- 
ing of  the  letters  from  the  different  churches  that  about 
one-fourth,  or  perhaps  less,  reported  no  Sunday  schools.'' 
That  was  a  good  comparative  report  from  the  churches 
of  the  body ;  better,  by  far,  than  man\'  of  the  Associa- 
tions composed  of  country-  churches  could  report. 

The  ordained  ministers  of  the  Association  at  that 
date  were:  J.  L.  Arnold,  X.  Baker,  S.  M.  Cole,  W.  J. 
Caldwell,  J.  A.  Dalton,  J.  L.  Foster,  L.  L.  George,  J.  F. 
Alitchell,  F.  H.  Aliddleton  and  J.  P.  Wofford.  One  of 
their  most  active  ministers,  and  one  most  interested  in 
the  history  of  the  body  is  J.  F.  Mitchell.  His  Associa- 
tion has  delighted  to  honor  him,  and  he  is  devoted  to 
the  work  of  the  Association. 

We  are  told  that  the  Trinity  Association  "has  in- 
creased in  interest  since  its  organization,"'  and  "is  mov- 
ing along  on  the  different  lines  pursued  by  our  denomi- 
nation." May  its  star  ever  increase  in  magnitude,  and 
its  usefulness  know  no  limit -but  the  end  of  time. 


1220  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  LV. 

SOUTH  MISSISSIPPI  ASSOCIATION. 

This  Association  is  composed  of  churches  in  the  coun- 
ties of  Amite  and  Pike.  On  October  31,  1896,  represen- 
tatives of  five  churches  met  with  the  Jerusalem  church 
in  convention  to  consider  the  advisabilitx?-  of  organiz- 
ing a  new  association.  The  Jerusalem  church  is  in 
Amite  county,  and  is  one  of  the  oldest  churches  in  our 
State.     It  is  about  two  miles  north  of  Gillsburg. 

The  leading  ministers  in  the  convention  were :  R.J 
Boone,  T.  C.  Schilling,  and  J.  M.  Cook.  It  appears 
that  there  was  some  discussion  as  to  the  advisability 
of  going  into  the  organization,  but  a  motion  prevailed 
to  project  the  new  enterprise.  In  the  permanent  organ- 
ization of  the  bod}',  J.  M.  Cook  was  chosen  moderator, 
and  W.  P.  Smith,  clerk.  The  churches  entering  the  new 
institution  were  :  Jerusalem,  Os\'ka,  Alt.  Vernon,  Amite 
River,  and  New  Hope.  The  body  was  called  the  South 
Mississippi  Association. 

Committees  were  appointed  to  report  at  that  sit- 
ting of  the  Association  on  Publications,  Finance,  Edu- 
cation, Missions,  Temperance,  and  Sustentation.  On 
the  Lord's  da^-,  T.  C.  vSchilling  preached  at  11  a.  m., 
and  J.  M.  Cook  at  1  p.  m.  On  Monday  Articles  of 
Faith,  etc.,  were  adopted  and  the  report  of  committees 
heard.  Correspondence  was  agreed  upon  with  the  Mis- 
sissippi,  Mississippi    River,   Bogue    Chitto,   and    Fair 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1221 

River  Association,  and  with  the  Baptist  State  Conven- 
tion.   Two  of  the  churches  reported  Sunday  schools. 

The  second  annual  session  was  held  with  the  First 
Church,  Osyka,  beginning  December  18,  1897.  The 
officers  of  the  previous  year  were  re-elected.  In  fact, 
they  were  elected  3'ear  by  year  to  this  date.  The  writer 
does  not  enjo^^  a  familiar  acquaintance  with  W,  Pratt 
Smith,  l)ut  knows  J.  M.  Cook  well.  He  is  a  minister 
with  more  than  ordinary  ability  and  is  a  pious,  devout, 
and  consecrated  Christian.  He  is  especially  gifted  in 
pra3xr,  and  of  a  reverent  and  subdued  spirit  when  mak- 
ing his  appeals  to  a  throne  of  grace.  Two  visitors 
were  recognized,  A.  V.  Rowe,  representing  the  interests 
of  the  Convention  Board,  and  R.  J.  Boone.  The  Gills- 
burg  church  was  received  into  the  union,  but  called  for 
a  letter  of  dismission  the  following  j^ear. 

Four  of  the  six  churches  reported  additions  during 
the  associational  A^ear,  the  Gillsburg  church  receiving 
eight  by  baptism,  Mt.  Vernon  eleven,  Jerusalem  one, 
and  Osyka  one.  The  total  membership  of  the  churches 
was  405.  Four  churches  reported  amounts  contri- 
buted to  missions,  amounting  to  $52.95. 

The  Association  convened  with  the  Mt.  ^Vernon 
church,  December  3,  1898.  The  late  date  of  their  meet- 
ings was  caused  bx^  the  appearance  of  j^ellow  fever  in 
New  Orleans,  and  different  parts  of  our  State.  There 
w^ere  17  delegates  in  the  union,  the  Os\'ka  church  not 
being  represented  by  letter  or  delegates.  Two  mes- 
sengers were  present  from  the  Mississippi  Association, 
W.  K.  Anderson,  and  William  McNabe.  Their  program 
for  services  on  Sunday  was  not  carried  out,  on  account 
of  the  inclemency'  of  the  weather. 

The  usual  reports  were  placed  before  the  body.  In 
the  report  on  Sunday  schools,  pleasure  was  expressed 


1222  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

that  some  of  their  ehurehes  were  making  progress  in 
the  Sundaj'  school  work.  The  churches  were  urged  by 
the  Association  to  exercise  a  kind  but  firm  discipline 
with  members  addicted  to  strong  drink.  A  hearty  co- 
operation with  the  Convention  Board  was  kindly 
recommended.  The  Baptist,  and  the  Foreign  Mission 
Journal  were  commended  to  the  readers  of  the  bod^'. 

Their  fourth  annual  session  was  held  with  the  New 
Hope  church,  beginning  September  16,  1899.  The  in- 
troductorA'  sermon  was  preached  b\'  J.  M.  Cook  from 
Heb.  11:10.  J.  H.  Lane  and  E.  A.  Bates  were  received 
as  messengers  from  the  Mississippi  Association,  and 
Jesse  Carpenter  from  the  Mississippi  River. 

(3n  Sunday  morning  a  "mass  meeting'"  was  held, 
and  the  report  on  Sunday  schools  read  and  discussed. 
At  11  a.  m.  J.  H.  Lane  preached  a  sermon  on  "What 
Baptists  Beheve  and  Hold."  Preaching-  at  the  same 
hour  in  a  grove  near  by,  by  J.  R.  Bayham.  The  mis- 
sion collection  amounted  to  $8.30.  Preaching  in  the 
afternoon  by  W.  A.  Hewitt.  Onh^  four  baptisms 
were  reported,  and  the  churches  reported  'IBS  members. 
Three  churches  contributed  to  missions,  Mt.  Vernon 
giving  $3.25,  Osyka  $6.10,  and  Jerusalem  $5.00. 

The  fifth  annual  session  was  held  with  the  Jerusa- 
lem church,  beginning  September  8,  1900.  Onlv  four 
churches  were  represented,  Amite  River,  Mt.  Vernon, 
Jerusalem,  and  New  Hope.  Nothing  is  said  aljout  the 
disappearance  of  the  name  of  the  First  Church,  Os\dva, 
but  it  is  known  that  about  that  time  the  difiliculties, 
which  had  iDcen  menacing  the  peace  of  Baptists  in 
Osvka,  had  l3een  adjusted,  and  a  union  of  the  two 
churches  realized  by  the  friends  of  peace.  The  consoli- 
dated church  sought  other  afliliations. 

The  introductory  sermon  was  preached  bv  J.  Prcs- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1223 

ton  Harrington  from  Col.  1:18.  The  sermon  on  Sunday 
-was  preached  l)y  J.  H.  Lane,  after  which  a  collection 
was  taken  for  missions  amounting  to  $10.50.  The  re- 
port on  Ministerial  Educ^ition  was  read  and  adopted, 
and  a  collection  taken  for  that  object  in  cash  and 
pledges,  amounting  to  $26.00. 

On  Monday,  a  report  was  read  on  the  Orphanage, 
and  a  fine  interest  manifested  in  that  benevolence.  They 
took  a  collection  for  the  Orphanage,  in  cash  and  pledges, 
of  $26.05,  and  appointed  a  committee  of  one  from  each 
church  to  collect  money,  and  look  after  the  interest  of 
this  object. 

There  was  only  one  ordained  minister  in  the  Asso- 
ciation, and  four  churches  with  a  total  membership  of 
318.  Two  of  the  churches  reported  amounts  given  to 
missions,  Alt.  Vernon  $3.00,  and  Jerusalem  $4-. 00. 

This  Association  is  young,  small,  and  struggling, 
but  with  prospects  as  fair  as  other  associations,  which 
years  ago  had  small  iDcginnings,  but  are  now  among 
our  strongest  and  best.  The  life  of  associations  is  as 
the  career  of  individuals,  beyond  calculations  or  conjec- 
ture as  to  what  their  future  will  be.  The  Lord's  bless- 
ings attend  this  vouns:  association. 


.1224  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  LVI. 

LAWRENCE  COUNTY  ASSOCIATION. 

This  Association  was  organized  October  26,  1901, 
at  Calvar^^  church  in  Lawrence  County,  Miss.  A  fra- 
ternal conference  composed  of  delegates  from  several 
churches  in  Lawrence  county  was  held  in  Monticello, 
the  county-  seat  of  Lawrence,  the  last  of  March,  1901, 
■which  decided  on  the  advisability  of  the  constitution 
of  the  new  iDody. 

The  Association  was  the  third  Baptist  association 
formed  in  Lawrence  county.  The  Pearl  River  was  con- 
stituted at  Dilling's  Creek  church  in  1820,  and  the  Fair 
River  at  Shiloh  church  in  1872.  Besides  this,  churches 
in  the  county  had  been  in  the  Strong  River  and  Pearl 
Leaf  Associations.  Two  of  the  churches  that  went  into 
the  constitution  of  the  Lawrence  County  Association 
are  among  the  oldest  churches  of  the  State,  Bethany 
and  Silver  Creek, 

Lawrence  county  was  settled  early.  Theold  "Three- 
Cut-Road"  from  Georgia  to  Natchez  ran  through  the 
county,  which  was  the  highway  for  emigration  to  the 
west.  The  Lawrence  county  has  no  railroads,  unless 
it  be  some  spur  tracks  for  the  convenience  of  milling- 
interests.  Its  inhabitants  are  prosperous,  contented, 
and  religious. 

The  Lawrence  County  Association  was  composed 


History   of   Mississippi    baptists.  1225 

of  fifteen  churches,  all  of  Lawrence  county.  Eight  (8) 
of  the  churches  were  from  the  Pearl  River  Association, 
viz:  Bethel,  Clear  Springs,  Crooked  Creek,  Calvary. 
Hepzibah,  New  Hope,  Silver  Creek,  and  Society-  Hill. 
Five  (5)  of  them  w^ere  from  the  Fair  River,  Antioch, 
Monticello,  New  Zion,  Rehoboth,  and  Shiloh.  The  re- 
maining two  were  from  the  Pearl  Leaf,  Bethany,  and 
Whitesand. 

D.  AL  Lee  was  chosen  temporary  chairman  and  \V. 
J.  Armstrong  temporary-  clerk.  It  was  agreed,  upon 
motion,  that  the  new  bod\'  be  called  the  Lawrence 
Count\^  Association.  D.  M.  Lee  was  chosen  moderator, 
W.  J.  Armstrong,  clerk,  and  A.  T.  Longino,  treasurer. 
The  usual  Articles  of  Faith,  Rules  of  Decorum,  etc., 
were  adopted.  No  work  was  undertaken  beyond  due 
preparation  for  the  meeting  of  the  body  in  1902. 

The  leading  spirit  in  the  organization  was  J.  P. 
Williams,  of  Silver  Creek.  J.  P.  Williams  is  a  worthy 
graduate  of  Mississippi  College.  He  is  a  pious  man,  of 
rare  common  sense,  and  one  of  our  best  preachers.  He 
is  in  the  country  from  preference.  He  is  pastor  of  some 
of  the  largest  churches  in  the  State,  and  exerts  an  ex- 
tended influence.  He  says  that  when  a  preacher  fails 
in  the  country,  he  goes  to  a  town  to  preach.  He  has  a 
great  field  of  lal^or,  and  may  he  be  granted  many  j^ears 
of  usefulness. 


1226  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


CHAPTER  LVII. 

THE  XOX-CO-OPERATIVE  ASSOCIATIOXS. 

These  associations  are  composed  of  the  people  usu- 
alh^  called  anti-missionary,  and  sometimes,  derisively, 
"Hardshell  Baptists."  They  call  themselves  Primitive 
Baptists.  Wishing  to  extend  to  them  all  courtesy'  that 
a  historian  should,  we  shall  speak  of  them  in  terms 
least  offensive  to  them. 

The  so-called  Primitive  Baptists  of  our  State  are 
not  to  be  traced  to  the  original  division  of  Baptists  in 
1814,  but  have  gone  out  from  Missionar\'  Baptist  asso- 
ciations. This  ma^'  not  be  true  in  the  exception,  but  is 
in  the  rule.  We  shall  so  find  the  historical  facts  in  the 
writing  of  the  history  of  the  individual  associations. 

Their  articles  of  faith  are,  in  the  main,  excepting  the 
reference  to  feet  washing,  consonant  with  the  articles 
of  faith  adopted  by  the  great  liody  of  Baptists,  but 
their  constitutions  are,  in  many  essentials,  peculiar  to 
themselves.  For  the  sake  of  lucidness,  their  articles  of 
faith  and  constitution  will  be  given,  as  they  appear  in 
the  Minutes  of  the  Bethany-  Association.  The  constitu- 
tion in  the  Alinutes  of  the  old  Primitive  Association  is 
not  so  full  as  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Bethnny. 

CONSTITUTION. 

Article  1.     (The  name  of  the  Association.) 

Art.  II.     This  Association  shall  be  composed  of  mem- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1227 

bers  chosen  annually  b\^  their  respective  churches,  and 
each  church  shall  be  entitled  to  three  delegates,  who  on 
presenting  letters  certifying  their  appointment,  shall  be 
entitled  to  seats. 

Art.  III.  The  Association  shall  have  a  moderator 
and  clerk,  who  shall  be  chosen  immediately  after  the 
organization  of  each  session. 

Art,  IV.  This  Association  shall  hold  regular  an- 
nual sessions,  at  such  places  and  from  time  to  time,  she 
shall  designate,  and  when  convened  shall  only  sit  as  an 
advisory  council. 

Art.  V.  This  Association  shall'  never  possess  a 
single  attribute  of  power  to  lord  it  over  God's  heritage, 
but  forever  disclaims  all  right  to  interfere  with  the  in- 
ternal concerns  of  any  church,  and  holds  each  church  to 
be  independent  in  all  matters  of  internal  government. 

Art.  VL  This  Association  may  withdraw  from  any 
church  that  shall  become  heterodox  or  disorderly. 

Art.  \TI.  This  Association  forever  disclaims  all  con- 
nection with  every  modern  missionary  society,  by  what- 
ever name  called. 

Art.  VIII.  No  church  shall  hereafter  be  admitted 
into  this  union  until  she  shall  first  produce  satislactory 
evidence  of  her  being  opposed  to  all  modern  missionary 
schemes  ;  neither  shall  there  be  any  newfy  constituted 
churches  admitted  into  this  union  until  they  have  first, 
presented  copies  of  their  faith,  and  l^y  whom  consti- 
tuted . 

Art.  IX.  This  Association  shall  have  power  to 
adopt  such  rules  of  government,  while  in  session,  as  she 
may  deem  proper,  sul^ject  to  amendment;  provided, 
however,  the  same  shall  not  conflict  with  this  Consti- 
tution. 

Art.  X.  This  Association  may  hold  correspondence 
with  such  associations  as  she  mav  deem  orthodox. 


1  228  HISTORY    OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Art.  XI.  This  Constitution  shall  not  be  altered,  or 
amended,  until  two-thirds  of  the  churches  composing 
this  union  shall  require  the  same. 

ARTICLES  OF  FAITH. 

Article  1.  We  believe  in  one  God,  and  the  Trinity  of 
Persons  in  the  Godhead — the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Spirit. 

Art.  II.  We  believe  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and 
New  Testament  are  the  revealed  words  of  God,  and  are 
the  onU^  rule  of  faith  and  practice. 

Art.  III.  We  believe  in  the  fall  of  Adam  and  conse- 
quent depravity  of  human  nature,  and  that  all  men,  by 
nature,  are  in  a  state  of  wrath,  and  utterly  unable  to 
recover  themselves  by  their  ow^n  tree  will  and  ability 
into  the  favor  of  God. 

Art.  IV.  We  believe  that  God,  before  the  founda- 
tion of  the  world,  chose  a  definite  number  of  the  human 
race  in  Christ  Jesus  to  salvation,  and  they  in  pai'ticular 
are  saved. 

Art.  V.  We  believe  that  sinners  are  justified  only 
through  the  merits  and  efficiency'  of  the  obedience,  death 
and  resurrection  of  Christ  imputed  to  them. 

Art.  VI.  We  believe  that  all  those  who  are  called 
quickened,  regenerated,  and  justified  are  preserved  in 
Christ  and  kept  by  the  powder  of  God  unto  salvation, 
and  can  never  fall  away  and  finally  be  lost. 

Art.  VII.  We  believe  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the  Head 
and  Law  Giver  has  instituted  the  ordinances  of  Bap- 
tism and  the  Lord's  Supper,  which  are  to  be  perpet- 
ually observed  by  the  church  to  the  end  of  the  world. 

Art.  VIII.  We  believe  that  Baptism,  the  Lord'sSup- 
per,  and  Feet  Washing  are  ordinances  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and  that  true  believers  are  the  only  proper  subjects,  and 
the  proper  mode  of  baptism  is  immersion. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1229 

Art.  IX.  We  believe  in  the  resurrection,  both  of  the 
just  and  the  unjust,  and  the  happiness  ot  the  righteous^ 
and  the  punishment  of  the  wicked  will  be  eternal. 

THE  PRIMITIVE  ASSOCIATION. 

The  bod^'  held  its  sixteenth  annual  session  last  year. 
As  is  true  of  the  other  non-co-operative  associations^ 
the  histor3'^  preserved  is  meager.  We  can  only  give  such 
information  as  to  them  as  has  been  preserved  b\'  writ- 
ten records  that  are  available. 

The  Primitive  Association  is  located  in  the  counties 
of  Carroll,  Holmes,  and  Yazoo.  It  is  at  present  com- 
posed of  five  churches,  Lebanon,  Sweet  Water,  Oak 
Ridge,  New  Providence,  and  Bethany.  The  Lebanon 
church;  with  Durant  as  its  postoflice,  has  36  members ; 
Sweet  Water,  at  Coila,  has  52  members ;  New  Provi- 
dence, Cecil,  has  27  members;  and  Bethany,  Tierce,  14 
members.  The  membership  of  Oak  Ridge  is  not  known 
as  it  was  not  represented  in  the  Association  last  3'ear. 

This  Association  was  constituted  in  1S39  of  four 
churches:  The  Yazoo,  Hickorj^  Springs,  Rock}^  Springs, 
and  Lebanon.  The  last  named  church  is  the  only  one 
of  the  four  so  denominated  in  the  present  list  of  churches  • 
but  possibly  some  of  them  have  changed  their  names. 

The  Primitive  Association  got  its  rise  out  of  the  old 
Yazoo  Association.  The  history  of  the  dissolution  of 
that  body  is  given  in  our  consideration  of  the  Yazoo 
Association.  The  dividing  wedge  was  the  question  of 
missionary  operations.  The  churches  were  not  agreed 
on  the  way  their  evangelism  should  be  carried  on,  and 
the^'  came  to  the  parting  of  ways.  Some  of  them  went 
into  the  constitution  of  the  Primitive  Association,  and 
some  to  the  Zion  Association.  The  Doak's  Creek  church 
went  into  the  formation  of  the  Mt.  Pisgah  Association. 


1230  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Ill  184-4,  this  body  had  in  it  vSeven  churches  with  a 
total  membership  of  1896;  in  145  nine  churches  witk 
497  ;  and,  in  1846  the  churches  had  523  memljers. 

The  bod\'  met  in  1900  with  the  Bethany  church, 
Yazoo  county,  and  meets  this  year  with  the  Lebanon 
church  which  is  eight  miles  south  of  west  of  Durant.  It 
convened  last  year  on  Friday  before  the  fourth  Sunday 
in  September.  S.  J.  Wilkinson  was  moderator,  and  W. 
J.  Owen,  clerk.  The  messengers  from  the  churches  were  : 
D.  Musselwhite,  W.  J.  Owen,  John  Moore,  J.  M.  Palmer- 
tree,  S.J.  Wilkinson,  C.  AI.  Tierce,  and  E.  L.  Johnson. 
The  churches  composing  the  iDody  had  an  aggregate  of 
129  members.  Their  ordained  ministers  were :  G.  K. 
Guess,  S.  J.  Wilkinson,  and  J.  W.  Woods.  The  sum  of 
$10.50  was  received  from  the  churches  for  associational 
purposes. 

LITTLE  ZION  AvSSOCIATION. 

Because  of  its  age,  the  Primitive  Association  w^as 
considered  first  among  the  associations  that  are  claim- 
ing our  attention.  We  will  now  begin  with  the  bodies 
in  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  and  proceed  north- 
ward, being  interrupted  onlyl3y  the  chronological  order 
of  the  associations. 

The  Little  Zion  Association  is  located  in  the  south- 
eastern part  of  the  State.  Its  churches  are  in  the  coun- 
ties of  Jones,  Green,  Wayne,  Marion  and  in  Mobile 
county,  Alabama.  Two  of  the  churches  are  in  Alabama, 
Lebanon,  and  Pleasant  Grove.  Two  churches  are  in 
Jones  county,  Lebanon  at  Ovett,  and  Palestine,  at  Hoy; 
one  in  Green,  Philadelphia,  at  Richston ;  and  two  in 
Marion,  Pleasant  Home,  Purvis;  and  Bluff  Springs  at 
T'alawah. 

In  Robertson's  account  of  the  dissolution  of  the  Leaf 
River  Association,  which  was  in   1845,  we  find  that 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS  1231 

there  was  a  number  of  the  churches  of  that  body  which 
was  opposed  to  missionary  societies,  bible  societies, 
etc.,  which  formed  themselves  into  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Association.  He  says  that  the  Association  "existed 
for  a  few  years  only''  and  became  extinct.  The  senti- 
ment aga;nst  organized  Christian  efforts,  we  may  well 
conclude,  did  not  die  with  the  Association,  but  remained 
with  some  sort  of  expression  in  that  part  of  the  State. 
The  Little  Zion  Associ^ition  held  this  rear  (1902), 
its  eighteenth  annual  session  with  the  Lebanon  church, 
the  last  of  September.  The  eight  churches  composing 
it,  have  a  total  of  133  members.  The  pastors  of  the 
churches  are:  John  Mason,  J.  J.  Alassey,  L.  F.  EasW, 
and  J.  A.  Parker.  Their  officers  last  year  were:  L.  F. 
Easlej',  moderator,  and  Luke  Mason,  clerk.  The  svim 
of  $17.50  was  reported  on  hand  Idv  the  Committee  on 
Finance. 

BETHAXV  ASSOCIATION. 

This  body  is  now  58  A^ears  old.  It  has  in  it  nine- 
teen churches,  which  are  in  the  counties  of  Newton, 
Scott,  Clark,  Leake,  Neshoba,  Yazoo,  and  Attalla.  The 
churches  composing  it  have  634  members.  Antioch,  in 
Scott  county  is  the  largest  of  the  churches,  having  65 
members.  This  is  the  strongest  Association  of  their 
order  in  the  State.  In  1846,  the  body  had  in  it  9 
churches  with  a  total  of  198  luemliers. 

In  1900,  J.  R.  Willis  w^as  moderator,  and  W.  W.  M. 
Banks,  clerk.  The  Association  corresponds  with  the 
Primitive,  the  Amite,  and  the  Good  Hope  Associations. 
It  has  in  it  15  ordained  ministers,  two  of  them  in  Scott 
county,  four  in  Leake,  seven  in  Newton,  one  in  Neshoba, 
and  one  in  Clarke. 

N.  L.  Clark,  in  his  histor\'  of  the  Mt.  Pisgah  Asso- 
ciation published  in  this  w^ork,  gives  a  good  account  of 


1232  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

the  division  of  that  association  on  the  question  of  mis- 
sionary operations,  which  gave  rise  to  the  organization 
of  the  Bethany  Association.  We  take  the  Hberty  of 
quoting  a  few  sentences  from  what  he  has  written  on 
the  disturbance  in  the  Mt.  Pisgah  Association  in  1843. 
He  says,  that  on  Monday  embraced  in  their  session, 
"Sadness  pervaded  the  whole  delegation,  and  much  ap- 
prehension was  felt.  *  *  *  Early  in  the  da3',  during 
the  discussion  of  a  cjuestion,  more  or  less  involving  the 
subject  of  missions,  the  climax  was  reached.  Roderic 
R.  Fortson,  rising  from  his  seat  and  addressing  the  As- 
sociation in  a  short  talk,  closed  b\^  sa\ang :  '  I  am  not 
of  you,  and  that  it  may  be  manifest  that  I  am  not  of 
3'ou,  I  now  go  out  from  you,'  and,  suiting  his  actions 
to  his  word,  lett  the  house,  followed  by  a  number  of 
delegates  that  agreed  with  him  in  sentiment.  "■ 

Elder  Wilbanks,  the  leader  of  the  opposers  to  the 
missionary  sentiment  of  the  Mt.  Pisgah  Association, 
Avas  moderator  of  the  Mt.  Pisgah,  and  Joel  Harvey,  a 
visitor,  and  a  "non-fellowshiper '"  was  appointed  to 
preach  on  Sunday,  but  was  not  so  allowed  by  the  As- 
sociation. 

We  are  not  told  what  churches  went  out  of  the  Mt. 
Pisgah  Association  to  form  the  Bethany,  but  are  given 
to  understand  that  the  anti-missionary  sentiment  was, 
at  the  time,  strong  in  the  Mt.  PivSgah  Association. 

We  find  in  the  Minutes  of  1900,  obituary  notices  of 
the  death  of  two  of  their  ministers,  A.  J.  Craig,  and  J.. 
G.  Crecelius.  This  was  a  great  loss  to  the  Betham'  As- 
sociation. 

A.J.  Craig  died  in  Meridian,  January  1,  1900.  He 
wq,5  a  native  of  Illinois.  He  came  to  Mississippi  in 
1872,  and  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry  in 
1881. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1233 

J.  G.  Crecelius  was  the  grand  old  Roman  of  the  As- 
sociation. He  was  born  in  Washington  count}',  Tenn., 
in  1815.  He  came  to  Mississippi  in  1837,  and  settled 
in  Scott  count}'.  He  joined  the  Antioch  church  in  1841, 
being  baptized  by  Stephens  Berr}'.  He  began  to  preach 
sometime  afterward.  He  was  in  the  division  of  the  Mt. 
Pisgah  Association,  and  in  the  constitution  of  the  Beth- 
any Association,  in  which  he  served  as  clerk  several 
3'ears,  and  moderator  two  years.  By  the  people  of 
Scott  county  he  was  several  times  placed  in  high  posi- 
tions of  trust,  being  for  a  while  in  the  State  legislature. 

GOOD  HOPE  ASSOCIATION. 

This  institution  will  hold  its  thirteenth  annual  ses- 
sion beginning  on  Saturday  before  the  fourth  Sunday  in 
October,  1902.  It  was  formed  of  churches  of  the  Beth- 
any Association  in  the  southern  part  of  its  territory. 
Its  churches  are  in  the  counties  of  Jasper,  Smith,  Scott, 
and  Simpson.  It  has  the  Bethany  Association  north  of 
it,  the  Little  Zion  south  of  it,  and  the  Amite  west  of  it. 

The  Good  Hope  Association  now  has  in  its  affilia- 
tion ten  churches,  which  have  an  aggregate  member- 
ship of  245.  The  Alt.  Olive  church  in  Scott  county  is 
the  largest,  having  a  membership  of  36.  The  pastors 
of  the  Association  are:  N.  C.  Wade,  D.  R.  Pittman,  J. 
S.  Thomas,  C.  C.  Smith,  T.  S.  Monar,  J.  T.  Gray,  A.  L. 
Wade,  E.  A.  Searcy,  and  J.  A.  Kened}-. 

At  the  session  of  1901,  J.  L.  Joyner  was  chosen 
moderator,  and  A.  B.  Amason,  clerk.  The  Committee 
on  Finance  reported  the  sum  of  $21.05  on  hand  for  as- 
sociational  purposes.  Beside  the  pastors,  whose  names. 
have  been  given  the  ordained  ministers  of  the  body 
were:  J.  L.  Jojmer,  J.  E.  Alderman,  C.  P.  Mvrick,  S.  D. 
Edwards,  C.  L.  Clark,  S.  R.  Scott,  J.  J.  Massey  and  A. 
B.  Amason. 


1234  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Under  the  head  of  "  Reasons  and  Appeals  "  are  given, 
as  under  the  same  head  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Bethany 
Association,  five  reasons  for  their  dissent  from  Alission- 
ary  Baptists.  They  were :  First,  because  they  pub- 
lished to  the  world  that  there  are  more  ministers  of  the 
gospel  than  money  to  send  them  out;  second,  that  the 
lack  of  monej^  was  obstructing  holy  enterprises;  third, 
because  of  the  practice  of  buying  life  membership  to 
societies :  fourth,  because  the^'  employ  men  at  high 
wages  to  preach  and  act  as  agents  in  collecting  money 
and  laying  the  claims  of  education  before  the  churches ; 
and  fifth,  iDccause  the3^  hold  and  publish  to  the  world 
that  large  sums  of  mone}'  can  be  spent  with  prudence, 
economy  and  profit  in  advancing  Christ's  Kingdom, 
making  it  appear  that  "the  advancement  of  Christ's 
Kingdom  is  entirely  dependent  on  the  amount  of  mone\^ 
that  can  be  raised,  thereby  placing  the  salvation  of 
God's  church  on  human  effort  and  contingency."  Mis- 
sionar3"  Baptists  were  only  held  to  be  in  disorder  for 
■"endeavoring  to  carry  on  such  worldh-  and  unscrip- 
lural  miCasures."  The\'-  assert  that  the3^  are  "Baptists 
of  the  old  school,"  and  regretted  thatthe  "new  school'' 
had  sin  h'ing  at  their  door. 

AMITE  ASSOCIATION. 

This  bodv,  as  its  name  indicates,  is  in  southwest 
Mississippi.  It  convenes  this  3'ear  with  the  Middletons 
Creek  church,  Franklin  county',  on  Saturday  before  the 
third  Sunda}^  in  October. 

Middletons  Creek  is  in  the  southeastern  part  of 
Franklin  count}',  flowing  northwest  and  empt^-ing  into 
the  Homochitto  River.  The  churches  of  the  Amite  As- 
sociation are  in  that  territory. 

In    1854-,    the    old    Mississippi    Association    was 


HISTORY    OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1235 

troubled  by  the  assertions  of  Rowland  Wilkinson,  that 
Baptists  had  departed  from  the  faith,  practices,  and 
usage  of  the  churches  of  former  days,  and  for  the  sake 
of  filthy  lucre  had  entangled  themselves  with  conven- 
tions, associations  and  boards,  thus  infringing  on  the 
independence  of  the  churches.  He  was  excluded  from 
the  Zion  Hill  church,  and  became  pastor  of  the  Mt.  Olive 
church,  and  then  fellowship  ^vas  withdrawn  b^-  the  As- 
sociation from  the  Alt.  Olive  church. 

Thus  the  anti-rfiissionar3^  spirit  began  to  show  it- 
self in  south  Alississippi.  The  Amite  Association  is  not 
strong  numerically  l)ut  has  some  good  men  in  it,  some 
choice  spirits. 

LITTLE    BLACK   ASSOCIATION. 

The  bod}-  is  south  of  east  of  the  Primitive  Associa- 
tion, and  north  of  the  Bethanv  Association.  It  is  in  the 
section  of  the  State  covered  by  the  counties  of  Attala, 
Winston  and  Choctaw. 

The  .\ssociation  is  composed  of  seven  churches. 
Their  numerical  strength  is  unknown  to  the  writer. 
James  Davis,  and  J.  D.  Dean  are  pastors  in  the  Associa- 
tion, and  leaders  in  the  bod^-. 

Strange  to  sa\'  no  mention  is  made  of  this  Associa- 
tion in  the  Miniites  in  hand  of  the  associations  of  this 
order.  The  Alinutes  of  the  Primitive  and  the  Bethany', 
of  1900,  do  not  refer  to  this  body  in  the  appointment 
of  messengers  to  affiliating  bodies.  All  the  writer  knows 
of  the  Little  Black,  therefore,  has  been  gotten  from  a 
short  note  written  him  by  W.  H.  H.  Fancher.  What  is 
given  must  be  correct  if  not  satisfactory-.  If  anything 
more  can  be  learned  of  the  bod\^  it  will  be  added  to 
these  statements  of  facts.  No  pains  will  be  spared  to 
secure  the  most  interesting  facts,  if  they  are  in  anywise 
available. 


1236  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

LOOSACOOXA   ASSOCIATION. 

This  institution  was  constituted  in  1839.  It  was 
composed  of  four  churches  that  went  out  of  the  Yalo- 
busha Association  on  account  of  an  advanced  move- 
ment of  that  body  in  missions.  The  churches  going 
into  the  organization  of  the  Loosacoona  Association 
were  in  the  counties  of  Carroll  and  Yalobusha. 

Four  small  churches  at  first  constituted  the  body, 
viz:  Hopewell,  which  had  22  meaibers;  Shiloh,  with 
28  communicants;  Mt.  Carmel,  with  15;  and  Loosa- 
coona, wdth  32.     In  all  97  members. 

In  1843,  the  Loosacoona  Association  had  four 
churches  in  its  union  with  an  aggregate  of  137  mem- 
bers. The  body  continued  to  exist  until  1863,  in  which 
3'ear  it  was  dissolved. 

HOPEWELL  ASSOCIATION.  ' 

This  bod\^  was  constituted  in  1865  in  Pontotoc 
county.  The  western  part  of  its  territory  covers  the 
ground  upon  which  the  old  Loosacoona  Association 
held  its  existence.  The  Hopewell  Association  is  in  the 
counties  of  Lafayette,  Pontotoc,  Yalobusha,  Calhoun 
and  Montgomer3\ 

The  first  moderator  of  the  Association  was  James 
Castleberry.  He  was  succeeded  in  the  position  bA'  M. 
C.  C.  Maples.  After  him  came  in  the  order  named:  E. 
A.  Meaders,  William  Guess,  and  A.  B.  Morris. 

The  churches  composing  the  Hopewell  Association 
in  1896  were:  Friendship,  near  Pittsboro,  Calhoun 
county-;  Hopewell,  near  Coffeeville;  Elam,  its  clerk's 
postoffice  at  Water  Valley  ;  Pilgrims  Rest,  near  Delay  ;_ 
Antioch  in  Lafayette  county ;  Loosacoona,  near  Coffee- 
rille;  Mt.  Pisgah,  its  clerk's  postoffice  being  Winona ; 
and    Indian   Creek  in   Yalobusha  countv.     These  ten 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1237 

churches  in  that  year  had  an  aggregate  membership  of 
391.  The  pastors  of  the  churches  were:  N.  W.  Eu- 
banks,  G.  W.  Wardlow,  A.  B.  Morris,  Wm.  Burdeshaw, 
E.  D.  WilHams,  A.  S.  Perkins,  D.  J.  Neal,  and  J.  P. 
Pilkinton. 

The  most  noted  Hving  preacher  in  the  body  is  A.  B. 
Morris.  He  is  universally  respected,  and  is  noted  for 
his  kindness  of  heart,  knowledge  of  the  Bil^le,  and 
ability  as  a  sermonizer.  He  is  strenuous  in  his  laelief  as 
an  "Old  School  Baptist."" 

The  most  noted  of  all  the  moderators  that  have 
presided  over  the  Hopewell  is  E.  A.  Meaders,  who 
lived  near  Water  Valley-.  "Old  Brother  Meaders,"  as 
he  was  usually  called,  was  known  in  several  counties  in 
North  Mississippi,  and  was  held  in  universal  esteem,  as 
a  conscientious  man,  and  a  good  preacher.  He  was 
about  five  feet  and  ten  inches  tall  and  in  advanced  age, 
somewhat  stooped.  He  died  in  18S9,  and  was  86  3^ears 
old  at  his  death.  He  was  a  man  of  great  strength  of 
character,  and  practical  ability. 

THE  ZIOXS  REST  ASSOCIATION. 

This  bod\^  of  non-co-operative  Baptists  was  of  early 
date,  being  formed  in  1838.  It  was  at  an  earW  day 
mainly  in  Kemper  and  Neshoba  counties.  At  the  break- 
ing up  of  the  old  Choctaw  Confederation  in  1837,  the 
Choctaw  Association  and  the  Louisville  Association, 
and  the  Zions  Rest  Association  were  constituted  of  the 
churches  of  the  Confederation. 

Some  of  the  ministers  who  were  in  the  Confedera- 
tion went  with  the  anti-missionary  element ;  among 
them  were:  Wade  H.  Crawford,  Halbrook,  "Grandpa" 
Pace  and  Edwin  Pace.  After  some  years  Halbrook  anti 
Edwin  Pace  returned  to  the  Missionary-  Baptists. 


1238  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

In  184-2,  the  Zions  Rest  Association  had  in  it  four 
ministers,  and  the  18  churches  composing  the  body  had 
an  aggregate  of  585  memlDcrs.  In  1844,  the  ministers 
of  the  body  were:  James  Alvvood,  William  Allen,  and 
Wade  H.  Crawford.  In  1841,  Michael  Ross  of  the  Choc- 
taw Association,  spoke  of  them  as  downcast  and  of 
"broken  ranks."'  But  many  of  their  old  associations 
maintained  their  existence  through  many  j'cars  of  dis- 
couragement, and  exist  to-day. 

TOMBIOBEE   ASSOCIATION. 

North  of  the  Little  Black  Association  is  the  Tom- 
bigbee.  It  is  in  the  counties  of  Chickasaw  and  Monroe. 
The  writer  knows  little  about  the  organization  except 
what  has  been  written  him  Id^v  A.  B.  Morris  of  the 
Hopewell  Association,  and  that  it  is  in  the  list  of  cor- 
respondence erf  the  Hopewell  Association.  Elder  Morris 
sa\'S  it  is  jvist  east  of  the  Hopewell  Association,  which 
would  place  it  in  the  counties  mentioned  above. 

LIBERTY    ASSOCIATION. 

This  body  is  composed  of  churches  in  Alississippi 
and  Alabama.  Three  of  the  churches  are  in  Mississippi, 
and  in  Itawamba  country.  These  three  churches  are 
Marietta,  New  Ramah  and  Fair  View.  Marietta  has 
32  members,  New  Ramah  67,  and  Fair  View  18. 

The3'  arc  every  whit  anti-missionar\'  and  believe  in 
foot-washing.  VVc  are  told  that  the^-  are  "a  pretty 
good  folk."'  They  "split  off""  from  the  Little  Vine  As- 
sociation, which  is  in  that  part  of  the  State.  It  is  said 
that  the  Little  Vine  has  "split'"  again,  has  only  two 
little  churches  in  it,  and  is  about  dead. 

NEW    HOPE   ASSOCIATION. 

The  New  Hope  Associfition  is  west  and  north  of  the 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1239 

Liberty  Association.  It  is  in  the  counties  of  Tisho- 
mingo, Alcorn,  Prentiss,  and  Union.  Its  territory  ex- 
tends from  luka  on  the  north  to  New  Albany  on  the 
west.  Its  bounds  are  oblong,  extending  from  the 
southw^est  to  the  northeast. 

The  Association  w^as  constituted  in  1842,  and  is 
now  sixt^'  years  old.  It  is  at  present  composed  of  ten 
churches,  Alt.  Pleasant,  postoffice  at  luka;  Sardis,  Ri- 
enzi;  Antioch,  Corinth;  Little  Flock,  Barnsville;  Hope- 
well, Racket :  New  Hope,  Brown's  Creek ;  McKay's 
Creek,  Burtons;  New  Providence,  Dennis;  Zion's  Rest, 
Booneville;  and  New  Prospect,  Baker.  Its  present 
membership  is  332. 

The  body  met  last  year  with  the  Sardis  church, 
Alcorn  county-,  Se])teml)er  9,  1901.  The  New  Prospect 
church  was  received  at  that  meeting  of  the  Association. 
They  met  this  year  with  the  New^  Providence  church, 
which  is  twenty  miles  south  of  luka. 

Their  ordained  ministers  are:  J.  D.  Huddleston, 
Hickory  Plains ;  J.  T.  Blanchard,  Brown's  Creek;  M. 
Hardwick,  Burnsville ;  J.  J.  Akers,  luka;  J.  E.  Shackle- 
ford,  Burtons;  and  T.  B.  Dalton,  Corinth.  In  1891, 
M.  Hardwick  was  moderator,  and  J.W.  Barnett,  clerk. 

In  the  articles  of  faith  of  the  body  there  is  nothing 
said  about  "foot-washing"'  as  an  ordinance,  but  there 
is  an  article  against  "secret  organizations,''  in  which 
it  is  said,  "We  believe  from  experience  that  no  good 
can  result  to  the  church  of  Christ  from  any  secret  or- 
ganization.'" 

TALL.\H.A.TCHIE   ASSOCIATION. 

It  has  been  impossible  to  this  date  to  secui'e  any 
copies  of  the  Minutes  of  this  bod3^  It  is  situated  in 
the  northwestern  part  of  the  State,  west  of  the  New 
Hope  Association.     It  is  an  old  institution.     According 


1240  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

to  the  Baptist  Register  of  1844,  at  the  session  of  1844, 
there  were  fourteen  churches  in  the  Association  which 
had  a  total  membership  of  317.  Through  A.  B.  Morris, 
we  learn  that  the  body  is  still  in  existence.  Near  the 
-Tallahatchie  is  also  the  "  Regular  Baptist  Association," 
about  which  we  can  learn  little  beyond  the  fact  that  it 
still  exists. 


Baptist  Schools  and  Colleges. 


PART    II. 


History  of  Mississippi  Baptists. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  124-3 

OUR  PIONEER  WORK  IN  EDUCATION. 

Until  the  assuminji^  of  the  control  of  Mississip^ii  College  bv  the 
Baptists  of  oui'  State,  fill  work  done  by  our  people  in  education  may 
be  denominated  pioneer.  Until  that  time  the  State  Convention 
merely  indorsed  the  educational  \vork  done  b\-  individuals,  and  rec- 
ommended the  patronage,  and  support  of  the  projected  institutions 
of  learning.  In  1845,  in  the  report  on  education,  placed  before  the 
State  Convention  by  James  G.  Hall,  of  Grenada,  it  is  said,  "This 
Convention  has  never  collected  or  disbursed  an^-  funds,  appointed 
any  trustees,  or  otherwise  hjid  any  agency  in  m^maging  said  institu- 
tion {^[udson  Institute),  and.  in  our  opinion,  isin  no  way  responsible 
for  it."  The  Judson  Institute  was,  to  that  date,  their  only  projected 
educational  enterprise. 

Yet,  the  "Mississippi  Bajjtist  Educational  Society'"  antedates 
the  Baptist  State  Convention.-  It  was  constituted  .March  l-i,  lcS35. 
The  following  resolutions  were  adopted  at  that  first  meeting  of  the 
Society,  "Resolved,  That  this  Society  deem  it  necessary  as  soon  as 
practicable  to  estaljlish  a  schot^l  combining  manual  labor  witli  study, 
having  for  its  object  the  education  of  pious  young  men  for  the  gos- 
pel ministry,  and  such  others  as  the  Board  hereinafter  named  shall 
See  fit  to  admit  to  a  participation  of  its  l)enefits;  the  same  to  be  un- 
der the  control  of  the  Society." 

''Resolved,  That  to  carr}'  into  effect  the  object  proposed  in  the 
foregoing,  this  Society  will  forthwith  appoint  a  Board  of  Directors 
(now  Board  of  Trustees),  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  adopt  such  meas- 
ures as  the3-  ma}'  judge  necessai"}-;  to  collect  funds,  select  a  suitable 
location,  and  carry  into  operation  an  institution  of  the  above  char- 
acter." 

The  Societv  ficcepted  a  constitution  composed  of  ten  articles 
which  designated  the  name  and  design  of  the  organization,  together 
with  the  officers  of  tlie  body,  and  their  respective  duties.  A  Board  of 
Directors  was  constituted  at  this  first  meeting  of  the  Society.  Its 
(organization  was  complete  and  the  body  read}'  for  work.  The 
Board  of  Directors,  immediately  upon  the  adjournment  of  the  meet- 
ing of  the  Society,  appointed  S.  S.  Lattimore,  general  agent  "to  col- 
lect funds,  receive  subscriptions,  etc,  to  carr}-  into  effect  the  impor- 
tantdesign  of  the  Society,  to  wit:  "The  establishment  of  a  manual  la- 
bor school,  to  be  under  the  control  of  the  Baptist  denomination  of 
this  State." 

The  first  annual  report  of  the  Hoard  was  made  Xovemljcr  28th  , 


124-4  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

1835,  at  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society.  In  that  report,  it  was 
stated  that  their  agent  had  secured  a  subscription  amounting  to 
$30,000.00,  paya1)le  infive  annual  instaHments;  the  first  in  stallment 
due  January  1st,  1836.  It  is  also  said  "If  tA/s  much  has  been  ac- 
complished in  the  short  space  of  eight  months  from  the  organization 
of  your  Society,  and  by  our  hitherto  feeble  efforts,  what  may  we  ex- 
pect when  the  important  oliject  we  have  in  view  shall  have  been  fully 
understood?" 

T'he  locfition  of  their  institution  of  learning  was  deemed  a  matter 
of  paramount  importance,  and  a  delay  of  a  few  months  in  this  matter 
was  regarded  as  time  wisely  employed.  They  were  desirous  of  pro- 
curing a  location  that  promised  health,  and  would  give  satisfaction 
to  all  interested  in  education.  But  soon  after  this  adjourned  meet- 
ing of  this  Society-,  the  committee  united  on  the  selection  of  Society 
Kidge  as  the  place  for  their  denominational  school.  Society  Ridge 
was  in  Hinds  county,  about  ten  miles  west  of  north  from  Jackson, 
and  about  the  same  distance  from  Clinton.  Four  hundred  acres  of 
land  was  barganied  for,  and  preparations  made  tor  the  erection  of 
suitable  school  buildings  at  once.  At  the  last  meeting  of  the  legisla- 
ture before  this  action  of  the  Board,  a  charter  kad  been  obtained 
with  the  college  priviliges,  granting  the  right  to  hold  property  to  the 
amount  of  $200,000.00,  to  graduate  students,  and  confer  degrees. 
The  name  given  to  the  school  was  "Judson  Institute." 

This  was  a  good  beginning  of  our  educational  work  for  that  day. 
Much  of  our  State  was  still  unsettled.  North  Mississippi  was  just 
being  vacated  by  the  Indians,  and  South  Mississippi  was  but  sparsely 
populated.  There  were  at  that  date  only  4,287  Baptists  in  our 
State,  and  nianv  of  them  strenuously  opposed  to  systems  of  educa- 
tion. The  population  of  the  State  was  less  than  300,000;  Natchez 
was  the  largest  town  in  the  State,  claiming  a  population  of  about 
4,000.  But  there  were  at  the  time  1,500,000  children  in  the  United 
States,  without  the  means  of  procuring  an  education,  alarge  number 
of  whom  were  in  Mississippi,  and  Baptists  have  ever  been  bold  to  un- 
dertake work  for  the  weak  and  the  oppressed. 

The  Educational  Society  met  in  its  second  annual  session  afe 
Mound  Bluff,  OctoVjer,  7th,  1836.  Lee  Compere  was  in  the  chair, 
and  T.  S.  N.  King  acted  as  secretary'.  The  treasurer  was  absent, 
and  no  financial  report  was  made.  The  Society  adjourned  to  meet 
m  Washington,  Adams  county,  on  Thursday  before  the  fourth  Sun- 
day in  December,  1836.  The  Executive  committee  consisted  of  Ben- 
jamin "Whitfield,  O.  D.  Battle,  William  Whitney,  W.  J.  Denson,  and  T. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1245 

S.  N.  King.     Feai's  were  expressed  that   Society    Ridge    was  not  the 
liest  place  for  the  Judson  Institute. 

According  to  appointment,  the  Society  met  at  Washington,  De- 
cember 22,  1836.  L.  B.  Holloway,  who  had  been  graduated  from  a 
college  in  South  Carolina,  w^as  chosen  to  take  charge  of  the  institu- 
tion, and  S.  S.  Lattimore  was  to  teach  Greek  and  Latin.  A  committee 
had  been  appointed  to  examine  the  location  at  Society  Ridge,  which 
deemed  it  best  to  remove  the  school  to  a  place  more  salubrious,  and 
where  the  land  was  more  fertile  and  productive.  The  new  location 
■was  about  five  miles  south  of  Ra3-niond  in  Hinds  county,  near  Pal- 
estine church,  one  of  the  most  active  churches  in  the  State.  A  plot  of 
630  acres  of  land  was  procured  for  the  neat  sum  of  $12,000.00,  on 
•which  to  build  the  manual  labor  school;  this  land  to  be  paid  for  in 
three  annual  installments.  (See  second  annual  i-eport  of  Educational 
Society.) 

The  Educational  Society  met  conjointly  with  the  State  Conven- 
tion in  its  first  annual  session  at  Palestine,  Maj-  5th,  1837.  The 
West  Tennessee  Baptist  Educational  Society  petitioned  the  Mississippi 
Society  to  unite  with  them  in  the  establishment  of  a  school  of  learn- 
ing, which  proposition  was  promptly  rejected. 

In  December  of  that  year,  it  seems  that  confidence  in  the  final  suc- 
cess of  the  Judson  Institute  was  seriously  impaired.  Ashley  Vaughan, 
editor  of  the  SoutJb-Western Religious  Luminary,  went  to  Palestine  to 
examine  the  state  of  affairs  in  the  school.  He  reported  in  his  paper 
that  much  prejudice  had  to  be  encountered,  and  that  the  Board  of 
Trustees  had  not  at  all  times  been  wise.  Gloom  was  gathering  over 
the  enterprise.  It  is  true,  that  there  was  not  a  sufficient  number  of 
Baptists  in  the  State  to  uphold  such  a  school  of  learning,  and  the 
work  was  pioneer  in  character,  and  should  not  have  been  expected 
to  be  productive  of  large  results. 

In  1838,  the  report  on  education,  placed  Isefore  the  State  Conven- 
tion by  N.  Robertson,  Jr.,  had  a  resolution  attached  which  was  com- 
posed of  one  line,  urging  the  support  of  the  Judson  Institute.  In 
February  1838,  the  Religious  Luminary  suspended  publication  as  a 
Mississippi  paper,  and  consequenty  we  almost  lose  sight  of  the  old 
Mississippi  Baptist  Educational  SocietA'. 

The  following  year,  in  the  report  of  the  committee  on  education 
to  the  State  Convention,  the  importance  of  the  Education  Society, 
was  enforced,  and  the  Judson  Institute  strongly  commended.  Wil- 
liam AI.  Ta3'lor,  a  graduate  from  Brown  University,  was  in  charge 
of  the  institution.     Praiseworthv  mention  was  also  made  as  to  the 


124-G  HISTORY     OF     MISvSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

new  school  enterprise  at  Aliddleton  in  Carroll  county.  S.  S.  Latti- 
niore  ot  Hanover  College,  and  George  W.  Ilufham  of  the  University 
of  North  Carolina,  were  in  charge  of  the  institution.  A  resolution 
was  adopted  recommending  that  B.  Whitfield,  A.  P.  Bradley,  S.  S. 
Lattimore,  A.  S.  Bayley,  and  N.  Robertson,  Jr,,  be  a  committee  "to 
look  out  the  iiiost  suitable  location  for  a  college,''  and  they  were  em- 
powered to  adopt  the  necessary  measures  to  conserve  this  purpose. 

In  1S40,  that  committee  reported  that  Middleton  was  thought 
to  ))e  in  all  respects,  the  place  for  the  college.  It  was  near  the  geo- 
graphic center  of  the  State;  had  excellent  springs  of  free-stone  water^ 
and  was  unsurpassed  in  the  State  for  its  heidth  record.  In  fact,  on 
the  fourth  of  March  previous,  the  school  at  Aliddleton,  alread}^  re- 
ferred to,  had  been  merged  into  the  Judson  Institute,  and  the  new  co- 
alition was  happv,  if  not  prosperous,  at- the  time  of  the  sitting  of  the 
Convention.  The  school  had  nearly  si.xty  students,  cindwas  Avarmly 
cherished  b^'  the  church  at  Middleton,  a  church  in  membership  more 
than  t\vo  hundred  strong.  A  full  college  cvirrieuluni  Avas  made  to  be 
assumed  at  the  opening  of  their  next  session. 

College  btxildings  were  erected  as  rapidly  as  possible,  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  a  "large  number  of  students,"  and  ~the  trustees  in- 
curred liabilities.  The  following  resolution  was  cidopted  by  the 
Convention  of  1841  : 

"Resolved,  That  the  Board  be  authorized  to  make  such  arrange- 
ments as  may  be  necessary  to  bring  the  Judson  Institute  legally  un- 
der thL'  direction  of  this  body."  The  following  year,  it  was  suggest- 
ed by  the  committee  on  education,  that  $100,000,00  endowment  be 
raised.  It  was  hoped  that  "the  child  will  receive  protection  and  sup- 
port from  the  parent,  and  the  parent  will  be  honored  and  elevated  by 
the  child;"  but  the  papers  of  adoption  were  not  yet  in  a  legal  form. 
The  following  year,  a  strong  c(jmmittee  of  sixteen  wasappointed  "to 
examine  the  Judson  Institute,  ajid  other  places  for  the  seat  of  a  per- 
manent literary  institution." 

This  committee  accomplished  nothing.  The  Convention  Board, 
in  1844,  said'  "If  talking,  and  passing  resolutions,  and  appointing' 
committees,  wouldbuild  colleges,  we  would  have  had  onelong  since." 

In  184."),  the  memorable  statement  was  made  by  J.  G.  Hall  in  a 
report  that  "under  the  charter  of  the  Institute,  the  Convention  could 
have  no  part  in  the  management  of  the  institution,  until  a  change 
could  be  effected  by  the  legislature."  This  threw  a  flood  of  light 
on  the  situation.  The  convention  did  not  own  the  institute,  and 
could  have  no  control  over  it.  It  had  not  collected  or  disbursed  any 
of  its  funds,  or  appointed  at  any  times  its  trustees. 


HISTORY     OF     M.SSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1247 

The  tbllowing  year,  nothing  was  said  of"  the  Institute,  either  in 
the  report  of  the  general  Board  of  the  Convention,  or  in  the  report 
on  education.  The  Convention  seemed  far  out  at  sea  in  the  educa- 
tional bark. 

In  1847,  they  thought  they  began  to  see  some  signs  of  land,  some 
drifting  sea  -  weeds,  and  some  birds  of  the  land.  The  report  on  edu- 
cation was  read  liy  E.  C.  Eager.  He  said  the  facilities  for  the  in- 
struction of  the  sons  and  daughters  of  Baptists  Were  multiplying.  A 
female  seminary  of  high  order  had  been  established  .'it  Black  Hawk, 
Carroll  county,  under  the  management  of  E.  \V.  Tripp,  an  educator 
of  eminent  ability.     But  the  institution  was  of  short  life. 

In  1848,  the  General  Board  of  the  Convention  had  recommenda- 
tions to  make  as  to  the  establishment  of  a  college  in  the  State  that 
were  deemed  too  radical.  A  special  committee  was  appointed  on 
that  part  of  the  Boards  report,  which  advised  that  it  be  stricken 
out,  and  the  assertion  be  inserted  that  they  recommend  the  consider- 
ation of  the  matter.  It  is  wished' that  we  had  their  recommenda- 
tion that  was  stricken  out,  as  it  surefv  created  talk,  and  stimulated 
thought.  The  General  Board  was  then  assisting  J.  T.  Powell  at 
Mercer  UniversitA',  William  B.  Gallman  at  the  same  school,  and  Jes- 
sie Hollis  at  Georgetown  College.  The  sum  of  $161.92  was  given 
that  year  to  Ministerial  Education. 

During  the  ensuing  conventional  year,  a  Mississippi  Baptist  Edu- 
cational Society  was  foi-med.  It  met  with  much  favor,  and  was  to 
be,  under  God,  an  institution  of  great  usefulness.  The  first  annual 
meeting  of  the  body  was  held  at  Raymond,  beginning  November 
Sth.  1849.  K.  Warner,  of  Raymond,  the  beloved  physician,  was 
its  first  president.  Connected  with  the  Societ3%  were  the  familiar 
names  of  E.  C.  Eager,  M.  W.  Phillips,  W.  C.  Crane,  W.  L.  Balfour, 
W.  H.  Taylor,  George  Stokes,  B.  Whitfield,  H.  W.  Griffith,  and 
Daniel  T.  Deupree.  The  Society  held  (juarterly  meeting  at  the  same 
time,  and  place  as  the  General  Board. 

In  the  year  1849,  the  pioneer  work  of  Mississippi  Baptists  closed^ 
as  in  1850,  they  assunud  control  of  Mississippi  College  at  Clinton, 
and  recognized  the  flowering  of  female  education  among  the  Bap- 
tists of  our  State.  It  now  becomes  our  honorous  task  to  follow  the 
footsteps  of  the  Baptists  of  Mississippi  in  the  their  systematic  efforts 
to  foster  denomination!  education. 


1248  HISTORY     OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

AMITE  FEMALE  SEMINARY. 

The  old  Mississippi  Association  made  onl^'  one  school  venture "^je- 
fore  the  Civil  War,  which  was  the  esttiblishment  of  Amite  Female 
Seminar3-  at  Liberty,  the  county  seat  of  Amite  county.  The  projec- 
tion of  the  enterprise  was  made  by  the  citizens  of  Liberty,  and  the 
citizens  of  the  county  adjacent  to  the  town,  in  1853.  The  school  had 
a  class  of  good,  sturdy,  honest  people  upon  whom  to  rely  for  a  sup- 
port and  patronage. 

The  Associcition  which  met  at  New  Providence  church  in  Octolier, 
1853,  was  memorialized  by  the  friends  of  the  enterprise.  They  prayed 
the  bod}'  to  adopt  the  child.  The  memorial  met  with  coveted  favor, 
and  was  responded  to  by  a  report  made  by  a  good  committee  of 
>\-hich  Zachariah  Reaves  was  chairman.  The  report  of  the  com- 
mittee was  favorable  to  the  enterprise.  It  I'ecommended  also,  that 
a  Board  of  trustees  be  appointed  for  the  Seminary  by  the  Associa- 
tion every  three  years,  if  a  charter  for  the  institution  could  be  gotten 
that  would  admit  of  it. 

The  following  year,  the  time  of  the  Association  was  consumed  in 
the  consideration  of  troubles  between  two  of  its  churches.  But  in 
1855,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  visit  the  school,  and  to  report  at 
the  sitting  ofthebod}'^  in  1856.  This  committee  attended  the  ex- 
aminations of  the  Seminary  in  July  1856,  and  were  highly'  delighted 
with  the  proficiency  of  the  pupils,  and  the  management  of  the  insti- 
tution by  Prof.  M.  S.  Shirk,  its  principal.  It  was  recommended  that 
the  relation  between  the  Association  be  continued,  aud  public  pat- 
ronage solicited.  The  town  of  Liberty  was  wiiolesome,  its  religious 
advantages  the  best,  and  its  moral  sentiment  correct. 

The  following  year,  five  young  ladies  were  graduated  from  the 
Seminary.  It  vi'as  suggested  l)y  the  Board  of  visitors  to  Prof.  Shirk 
that  he  adopt  a  uniform  dress  tor  the  pupils.  Twenty-seven  mem- 
bers of  the  Association  were  appointed  a  Board  of  visitors  for  the 
school  for  the  coming  scholastic  year,  with  their  moderator,  Zacha- 
riah Reaves  as  chairman. 

In  the  fall  of  1858,  the  visitors  reported  to  the  Association  that 
the  weather  was  inclement  during  the  annual  examinations  ot  the 
Seminary,  but  the  attendance  large.  There  was  no  effort  made  by 
the  students  at  display,  Ijut  great  accuracy  shown  in  their  recitations. 
Their  school  building,  sufficiently  spacious  to  accommodate  several 
hundred  students,  had  grown  to  completion.  Though  under  the  con- 
trol of  the  Mississippi  Association,  the  Seminary  was  not  "a  secta- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  124i> 

rian  school,"  and  was  coiniuended  by  the  visitors  "  to  puliHc  confi- 
dence and  patronage."  Preparations  were  made  to  board  young; 
)adies  from  a  distance,  with  the  principal  of  the  school. 

In  1859,  the  Seminary  was  highly  prosperous.  The  adoption  of 
the  uniform  dress  among  the  young  ladies  was  highlj'  satisfactory, 
and  was  commended  In-  the  visitors.  The  departniL'nt  of  calisthenics 
had  been  added  to  the  school,  and  was  reaping  a  large  measure  of 
public  favor.  It  \vas  deplored  that  the  institution  had  no  Sunday 
school  library.  The  following  ^^ear,  another  large  Board  of  visitors 
■was  appointed,  and  the  school  enjoj'inga  large  patronage  and  wann 
support. 

In  18f31,  there  was  one  death  in  the  school,  a  Miss  Cox,  who  is 
said  to  have  been  a  ver^^  amiable  young  lad^'.  This  was  the  only 
death  that  occurred  in  the  school  in  the  history  of  the  Seminar\^  It 
"was  said,  "parents  can  find  no  better  place  in  which  to  place  their 
daughters  to  be  educated."  Liberal  patronage  for  the  Seminary  was 
earnestly  solicited. 

In  a  communication   received   by  this   historian   from   George  F. 

Webb,  a  well  known  attorney  of  Liberty,  it  was  given  as  unwritten 

information  that  the  Amite  Female  Seminary  continued  its  existence 

until  its  fine  school  property  was  burned  to  the  ground  by  the  federal 

.  troops  during  the  Civil  War. 

Prof  M.  S.  Shirk,  who  was  principal  of  the  Seminary  through  the 
A'ears  of  its  usefulness,  was  one  of  our  best  educators,  and  a  man  of 
great  karning,  and  enlarged  .sentiments.  He  was  born  in  the  Buck- 
e3'e  State.  He  was  graduated  from  Madison  University  in  1848,  and 
came  to  our  State  on  his  second  visit  to  share,  if  God  should  wi.'-h^ 
the  fortunes  of  our  people.  He  did  a  good  wf)rk  for  the  young  ladies 
of  South  Mississippi,  by  whom  in  common  with  many  otliers.  he  is 
Held  in  grateful  remembrance. 


THE  COLDWATEK  BAPTIST  FEMALE  SEMINARY. 

In  1849,  a  resolution  was  presented  to  the  Coldwater  Associa- 
tion by  R.  T.  Sanders,  praying  that  body  for  a  committee  of  three 
to  consider  the  advisabilit}-  of  establishing  a  female  school  in  their 
bounds,  to  be  under  the  management  and  control  of  their  Associa- 
tion. The  committee  was  composed  of  R.  T.  Sanders,  W.  W.  Buch- 
anan, and  S.  Williams.  This  committee  suggested  that  another- 
committee  of  twent\-- twc  members  be  appointed  to  solicit  subscrip- 
tions for  the  erection  of  suitable  school    buildings,    that  a   board  of 


1250  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

trustees  be  appointed,  two- thirds  of  whom  should  he  Ba^itists,  and 
that  the  name  of  the  school  be  "The  Coldwater  Baptist  Female 
Seminary." 

The  following  3-ear,  the  committee  of  twenty -two  made  a  report 
early  in  the  session  of  the  Association.  It  had  a  meeting  at  Mount  Zion 
church.  Chulahoma  offered  $8,000.00  if  the  school  should  be  located 
there,  and  Hernando  $8,500.00.  Chulahoma  was  thought  to  be  the 
1)etter  place  for  the  Seminar}',  and  secured  its  location.  S.  Hallibur- 
ton was  made  the  financial  agent  of  the  school,  and  had  secured  a 
good  subscription  outside  of  Chulahoma.  Josejih  K.  Hamilton  was 
chosen  to  take  charge  of  the  new  enterprise,  which  was  to  begin  la- 
bors the  first  Monday  in  February,  1851. 

In  1851,  the  pastors  were  re(|ucsted  to  bring  the  peciiniary  needs 
of  the  school  before  their  churches  in  the  month  of  December.  The 
incorrect  report  had  gone  out  that  only  the  children  of  Baptists 
would  l)e  admitted  into  the  Institution.  Of  course  this  was  only  idle 
rumor,  as  no  school  of  any  denomination  is  constructed  on  such  a 
basis,  and  the  report  was  easily  refuted. 

To  the  sadness  of  the  friends  of  the  Institution,  in  1852,  two  of 
the  trustees  of  the  Seminary  resigned  their  positions,  T.  K.  Sanders  and 
R.  Phillips.  T.  R.  Sanders  was  dissappointed  at  the  location  of  the 
enterprise  at  Chulahomri.  The  Seminary  had,  in  its  last  session 
matriculated  seventy- -five  young  ladies.  It  then  had  an  imposing 
board  of  visitors,  among  whom  were  J.  R.  Graves,  then  of  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  C.  R.  Hendrickson,  of  Memphis,  and  William  L.  Slack,  then  of 
Denmark,  Tenn.  The  school  entered  the  new  sjiacious  brick  building 
in  March  of  that  year. 

In  1853,  the  Seminary  had  a  matriculation  of  seventy- -five  pupils, 
and  in  1854,  an  enrollment  of  ninety-one.  There  was  the  usual  ebl) 
and  flow  of  school  work  until  1857.  That  year  the  trustees  did  not 
put  an  annual  report  before  the  Association.  J.  R.  Hamilton  made 
a  ver))al  report  to  the  body  as  to  the  condition  of  their  school,  and 
stated  the  painful  fact  that  he  had,  as  principal  placed  his  resigna- 
tion l)efore  the  trustees  to  take  effect  the  last  of  the  year.  He  had 
managed  the  affairs  of  the  school  discreetly,  and  his  resignation  was 
to  be  deplored.  J.  R.  Hamilton  was  succeeded  by  B.  F.  Thonuis 
Avho  did  not  remain  with  the  school  longer  than  the  close  of  thatses- 
.sion.  W.  J.  Berryman  of  Virginia  was  then  chosen  to  assume  control 
of  the  Seminary.  The  school  was  in  bad  shape.  The  .school  build- 
ings had  been  injured  liy  a  tornado,  and  the  institution  was  carrying 
a  debt  of  $3,000.00.  The  furniture  of  the  school  was  sold  to  save  it 
from  foreclosuie. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1251 

111  1S5'J,  <;l()()in  was  still  hani^iiiji  like  a  pall  over  the  Seminary. 
The  loni^  illness  of  W.  J.  Berrynian  prevented  their  opening  until  the 
eleventh  ofOetober.  The  trustees  were  standing  responsible  for  the 
del)t,  yet  no  relief  was  coming  to  them.  But  the  follo\Ying  year, 
James  L.  Mabry  stood  for  a  thousand  dollars  of  the  debt,  and  Wil- 
liam A.  Anthony,  president  of  the  Board  of  trustees,  executed  his 
bond  for  the  remainder  of  the  debt  to  stand  until  the  Association 
could  pay  it.  The  noble  action  of  these  two  men  brought  hope  for 
the  cnterjjrise,  and  the  ])rospeets  of  the  school  were  re]iorted  Cjuite 
flattering. 

The  institution  was  so  serioush-  injured  by  the  Civil  War  that  it 
did  not  recover  from  the  shock.  The  hcjusehold  effects  of  the  school 
had  been  sold  to  j^revent  their  seizure  by  the  Federal  troops.  The 
house,  damaged  during  the  War,  had  in  part  fallen  down,  and  all 
that  was  valuable  was  the  material  in  the  l)uilding.  Its  obligations 
^vere  generously  met  by  the  members  of  the  Coldwater  .\ssociation, 
and,  in  186(3,  the  Coldwater  Female  Seminary  was  numbered  with 
the  departed  female  schools. 


JACKSON  FEMALE  INSTITUTE. 

In  the  rejxjrt  made  to  the  Baptist  State  Convention  in  1853,  on 
Education,  this  institution  of  learning  was  classed  among  the  Bap- 
tist female  schools  of  Mississipjii.  It  was  then  under  the  supervision 
of  Harvey  Ball. 

The  Institute  was  located  on  West  Street.  It  was  just  north  of 
where  the  North  Jackson  Public  School  building  now  stands,  on  land 
that  is  now  (TrifHth  Street.  The  house  wascheaji  in  its  construction, 
iind  its  value  of  little  ccmsecjuence. 

The  school  was  from  the  fall  of  lSo4- to  the  tall  of  1856,  under 
the  control  of  A.  R.  Green.  He  was  succeeded  by,  William 
Cheeney,  who  was  its  last  Baptist  teacher. 

The  Institute  was  not  extensively  patronized.  It  was  called  h 
Baptist  schof)l,  a:id  wore  the  distinction  mostlv  to  denominate  a 
difference  between  it  .ind  another  school  in  Jackson  run  by  a  Prot. 
Strickland  who  was  a  Methodist. 


LEXINGTON   FEMALE   COLLEGE. 

This  institution  of  learning  was  established  in  1853.     By  a'kind 
providence,  that  year  good  school  property  in  the  town  of  Lexing- 


1252  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

ton  was  available  to  Baptists.  The  propert}-  was  well  situated,, 
and  thoroughly  adapted  to  school  purposes,  the  value  of\vhich  was 
estimated  at  $10,000.00 

The  Yazoo  Association,  at  its  meeting  in  1853,  agreed  to  accept 
the  property  on  the  terms  specified  by  -the  citizens  of  Lexington. 
The  school  was  to  have  a  Board  of  twenty  -  seven  trustees,  which 
was  to  hold  an  annual  meeting  at  the  time  and  place  of  the  com- 
mencement exercises  of  the  institution.  This  Board  ap]3ointed  by 
the  Yazoo  Association  was  duly  organized  after  the  adjournment  of 
the  Association,  Benjamin  Hodges  being  chosen  its  President,  A.  V. 
Row^e,  Sr.  Secretar\',  James  N.  McLean  Treasurer.  A.  \V.  Cham- 
bliss  was  elected  to  preside  over  the  institution. 

The  first  session  of  the  school  was  highly  gratif\'ing.  It  closed 
Avith  a  matriculation  of  eighty  pupils.  At  the  time  of  the  meeting  of 
the  Association,  in  1854,  the  second  session  had  begun,  and  the  In- 
stitute had  an  enrollment  of  116  pupils.  Along  with  this  bright  out- 
look was  a  problem  of  canceling  a  debt.  With  the  conveyance  of  the 
property  to  the  Association  was  a  debt  of  $1,500.00.  There  was 
also  an  understanding  that  the  Association  was  to  put  $5,400.00  in 
the  school  building,  and  the  erection  of  other  necessary  buildings. 
The  last  named  amount  was  to  be  contributed  annually  in  five  in- 
jstallments. 

Before  the  next  sitting  of  the  Association,  Prof  A.  \V.  Chanibliss 
had  resigned  his  position  in  the  school.  In  1855,  the  terms  of  the 
transfer  to  the  Association,  by  the  former  owners  of  the  property, 
was  so  far  modified  as  to  release  the  Asso^i  Uion  from  the  ol)ligation 
of  expending  $5,400.00  on  the  property  in  five  years.  The  transfer 
was  made  unconditionnl.  But  the  Board  of  Trustees  thought  it  best 
to  proceed  in  the  erection  of  a  Steward's  H:ill.  But  it  was  finally 
agreed  to  purchase  "  the  Mayo  property*,''  contiguous  to  the  college, 
instead  of  erecting  a  Steward's  Hall.  The  propertv  was  new,  cheap, 
and  available,  b_v  payments  on  the  installment  plan. 

Prof.  A.  S.  Bayley  was  in  chargeof  the  school  in  1856,  but  resigned 
July  16,  1857.  He  was  a  good  teacher,  but  deficient  in  the  manage- 
ment of  the  affairs  of  the  institution.  Prof  D.  .\.  Holman  was  elected 
to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  his  resignation,  after  Avhich  the  pros- 
pects of  the  Lexington  Female  College  began  to  become  more  cheerful. 

In  1858,  it  was  agreed  that  the  next  legislature  be  reciuested  to 
so  far  alter  their  charter  as  to  enable  the  Board  of  Trustees  to  fill  all 
vacancies  in  the  school,  and  to  have  plenary  power  in  the  manage- 
ment of  the  institution.     T.  S.  \Yright    was  their  financial    agent  in 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1253 

xhii  session  of  1857 — 1858,  and  had  succeeded  in  canceling  their  debts. 
The  Board  of  Trustees  then  had  good  notes  in  favor  of  the  institute, 
amounting  to  $4,000.00. 

The  Trustees  of  the  school  put  no  report  before  the  Association 
in  1859.  The  following  3'ear,  they  reported  that  they  had  been  en^ 
deavoring  for  two  j'cars,  to  collect  money  on  the  notes  drawn  in 
favor  of  their  school  (then  known  as  Central  Mississippi  Female 
College,)  but  on  hand  only  about  $600.00.  In  the  fall  of  1858,  Prof. 
H.  Williams  was  elected  president  of  the  College,  but  did  not  assume 
control  of  the  school  until  September  1859,  and  served  the  Board 
only  five  months. 

In  1861,  the  school  was  conducted  Ijy  a  number  of  \-t)ung  ladies. 
A  boarding  house  was  nearing  completion. 

Then  came  the  sad  years  of  the  Civil  War  with  the  blight  of  death 
for  many  of  our  useful  ipstitutions  of  leaiMiing.  During  the  time  no 
reports  were  made  to  the  Yazoo  Association  by  the  Board  of  Ti'ustees 
of  Central  Mississippi  Female  College.  Th'e  institution  was  warmlv 
cherished,  and  did  much  good  for  the  young  ladies  of  Central  Missis- 
sippi. 

MISSISSIPPI  BAPTIST  FEMALE  COLLEGE. 

This  institution  of  learning  was  located  in  Hernando.  The  ori- 
gin of  this  school  was  in  the  collegiate  year  of  1849 — 1850.  The 
school  was  opened  in  January-  1851,  and  chartered  in  1852.  Her- 
nando gave  a  larger  financial  inducement  for  the  location  of  the  Cold 
Water  Female  SeminarA'  than  Chulahoma,  but  for  some  reason  the 
school  was  domiciled  at  Chulahoma.  J.  R.  Hamilton,  one  of  the 
presidents  of  that  Seminarj'  saj's,  "Before  there  was  any  other  Bap- 
tist school  in  North  Mississippi,  were  taken  the  incipient  steps  for  its 
establishment."  The  incipient  steps  for  the  establishment  of  the 
Cold  Water  Female  Seminary  were  taken  in  the  fall  of  1849,  though 
it  opened  in  Febuary  1851.  So  the  statement  above,  madebvj.  R. 
Hamilton  must  be  correct.  The  Mississippi  Baptist  Female  College 
Avas  fostered,  and  perpetuated,  soleU'  liy  the  energ\-  and  influence  of 
William  Carey  Crane.  He  was  one  of  the  strong  men  of  the  Conven- 
tion, and  hoped  after  the  claims  of  Henando  on  the  Cold  Water  Semi- 
nary were  disregarded,  to  give  his  school  State  reputation,  and  to 
secure  patronage  from  the  State  at  large. 

In  1850,  a, proposition  from  the  trustees  of  this  institution  to  in 
some  wise  link  it  on  to  the  Convention,  was  recognized  b^-  the  Con- 


1254  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

vention,  jiiid  a  coniniitteo  rriisL-d  to  report  on  the  rcciucst.  Tliat 
committee  responded  with  tlirec  resolutions;  their  eftorts  to  huild  a 
female  school  were  highly  commendable,  that  a  hand  of  visitors  of 
ten  would  Ije  annually  appointed,  and  that  the  Convention  held  it- 
self in  readiness  to  do  as  much  for  any  similar  institution  in  the 
State.  This  favor  was  awarded  the  institution  annually.  We  have 
their  report  of  1852,  in  which  we  learn  that  one  youny;  lady  was 
graduated  that  3'ear  in  the  full  scientific  course,  and  one  in  a  partial 
course,  and  that  the  classes  examined  evinced  proficiency  and  entire 
lionestj'.  The  school  had  between  seventy  and  eighty  pu|)ils  that 
scholastic  \'CJir. 

In  ISovi,  a  jiage  of  the  Convention  minutes  was  covered  with 
an  extended  report  of  the  visitors.  John  J.  McKea,  governor  elect  of 
the  State,  w^isthe  commencement  t)rator.  Two  young  ladies  gradu- 
ated with  the  highest  honors  of  the  College.  .\n  endowment  was  in 
contemplation,  and  remained  there.  There  was  a  class  of  eleven  sen- 
iors for  the  connng  session. 

A  resolution  was  adopted  inlj<,")4,  by  the  Convention,  iv(|nesting 
everj'  fem^de  school  in  the  State,  under  Baptist  control,  to  jmblish  in 
the  minutes  of  that  body,  anabstract  of  the  condition  of  their  schools. 
The  desire  was  manifested  to  show  no  partiality  in  the  honorable 
mention  of  any  female  school.  This  resolution  created  (juitc  a  ripple, 
but  was  adopted.  In  ISoo,  two  schools  availed  thtmselves  of  this 
privilege.  Central  Female  Institute,  and  the  school  at  Hernando. 

In  185G,  the  .Mississip])i  Female  College  was  granted  <'i  page  of 
the  Convention  minutes.  The  names  of  all  the  teachers  are  given, 
■what  the  College  was  doing,  and  the  healthfulness  of  Hernando  were 
made  known  as  needed  information. 

The  following  vear,  William  Carey  Crane  became  president  of 
Semple  Broadas  College  at  Center  Hill,  DeSoto  county,  and  we  hear 
no  more  of  the  female  school  at  Hernando.  It  lived  out  its  day,  and 
is  now  a  thing  of  the  past. 


CENTRAL  FEMALE  INSTITUTE,  ok  HILL.MAN  C()LLE(iE- 

The  history  of  this  institution,  given  l)elow.  was  written  in  ]).-irt 
by  the  Trustees  of  the  College.  Their  writing  extends  to  the  year 
1889.  The  writing  of  this  history  from  that  time  to  the  close  of  the 
centurv,  has  been  kindly  i)resented  to  this  work  l)y  Charles  Ililhnan 
Brough. 

Okhun,  n.\mh,  a.xi)   i.oc.\tion: — .\t  a   meeting  of  the  Central  15<-ip 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1255 

tist  Association  of  Mississipjii,  held  the  first  of  October  in  the  year 
1853,  measures  were  taken  to  carry  into  effect  what  had  for  some 
time  been  contemplated  b^-  prominent  members  of  the  denomination, 
viz.,  the  establishment  of  an  institution  of  learning  in  the  Central 
part  of  the  State  for  the  education  of  young  women.  Because  of  the 
intended  location  near  the  capital  and  geographical  center  of  the 
State,  which  fact  had  also  determined  the  name  of  the  Association, 
the  name  of  "Central  Female  Institute"  was  given  to  the  institu- 
tion. Clinton,  after  no  inconsiderable  canvassing  of  the  merits  of  the 
neighboring  towns,  was  selected  as  the  immediate  location.  The 
reasons  which  determined  the  selection  of  this  place  in  preference  to 
others  which  could  boast  of  greater  size  and  more  natural  and  archi- 
tecturjil  attractions,  were  the  following: 

First — Its  heathfulness.  Being  situated  on  the  water-shed  be- 
tween the  Pearl  and  the  Big  Black  rivers,  it  was  free  from  the  mias- 
matic influences  which  are  wont  to  give  rise  to  epidemic  diseases. 

Second — It  was  accessible  from  its  situation  on  the  only  rail  road 
of  any  considerable  extent,  then  in  the  State,  and  at  a  point  thirty- 
five  miles  from  Vicksl)urg,  the  princi])al  river  port,  and  ten  miles  from 
Jackson,  the  capital. 

Third — It  was  the  seat  of  .Mississippi  College,  which  the  year 
before  had  been  adopted  by  the  Baptist  denomination  as  their  State 
institution  for  the  education  of  young  men.  The  facilities  which  it 
thus  gave  to  parents  to  educate  their  sons  and  daughters  near  each 
other,  was  considered  a  very  desirable  feature  of  the  location. 

Org.\^xiz.\tio.\  .\.Nn  I.\"Corpor.\tio.\  : — The  Association  already  re- 
ferred to,  appointed  a  Board  ot  twenty-two  trustees  to  carry  into 
effect  the  plan  of  organization.  This  Board  held  its  first  meeting  on 
the  thirteenth  of  October,  1  S5y,  and  at  this  meeting  and  the  subseciuent 
«)ne  on  the  nineteenth,  made  arrangements  by  which  buildings  and 
teachers  were  provided,  and  in  a  few  days  thereafter,  this  Institute 
was  enabled  to  start  out  on  that  educational  course  which  it  has  mi- 
interruptedly  jjursucd  till  tlie  present  day.  .\t  a  meeting  ot  the 
Board  on  the  second  of  February,  1S.")4-,  a  committee  was  ajjpointed 
to  procure  from  the  Legislature  of  the  State  a  charter.  This  com- 
mittee having  oljtained  the  charter,  reported  it  to  the  Board  at  its 
ne.xt  meeting  on  the  sixth  of  April  immediately  following,  and  the  char- 
ter being  then  and  there  approved,  and  accepted  by  the  Board,  the 
Institute  from  that  time  became  clothed  with  all  the  powers  of  an 
incorporated  institution  of  learning. 

Irs  FOiNDKKS  .\Ni)  p.\TKo.\s: — Within    the  limits  to  which    we  are 


1256  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

sK'cessarilv  confined,  it  is  impossible  to  notice  properh'  those  who  by 
their  friendly  influence  have  contributed  to  its  establishment,  and,  in 
fact,  it  seems  almost  invidious  to  mention  any  among  so  many  who 
have  warraly  advocated  its  claims.  From  peculiar  position  they- 
have  occupied  reference'  may  be  madL'  to  three  without  exposing  us 
to  the  charge  of  having  made  distinctions  among  its  friends. 

These  three  were  M.  D.  Phillips,  Benjamin  Whitfield,  and  Rol)ert 
Xells,  who  each  held  the  position  of  president  of  its  Board  of  Trus- 
tees, and  together  continuously  occupied  that  position  till  the  twenty- 
first  of  April,  1888,  when,  after  holding  the  ofiice  for  nearly  thirty 
years,  Robert  Kells  surrendered  it  at  death's  command,  AI.  VV. 
Phillips  claimed  to  be  its  father,  inasmuch  as  he  was  the  first  to  per- 
ceive the  necessity  of  such  an  institution,  and  to  advocate  its  estab- 
lishment. He  was  a  member  of  its  first  Board  of  Trustees,  and  was 
the  first  president  of  that  Board  after  the  Institute  liecame  a  char- 
tered institution,  and  witVi  three  others  contributed  the  money  neces- 
sary to  purchase  the  building,  in  which  its  first  exercises  w^ere  con- 
ducted. From  the  beginning  till  his  death  in  February  last,  he  was 
ever  its  warm  friend  and  supporter,  contributing  to  it,  to  the  utmost 
of  his  ability,  his  money,  his  time  and  his  influence. 

Benjamin  Whitfield  was  also  one  of  the  first  Trustees,  the  presi- 
dent of  the  Board  while  it  was  unchartered;  and  for  some  \'ears  sub- 
se(|uently,  and  was  another  of  the  four  who  contributed  to  purchase 
jtsfirst  bailding.s.  His  trusteeship,  hecontinued  to  hold  till  the  time 
of  his  death  which  occurred  June,  1872.  It  was  in  a  great  measure 
due  to  his  earnest  effortsthat  its  buildings  were  not  taken  during  the 
war  for  military  hospitals,  and,  like  others  thus  used,  destro3^ed. 
Truly,  therefore,  it  maj'  be  said  that  the  Institute  owes  its  present 
existence  to  his  persistent  resistance  t<}  the  efforts  of  those  who 
then,  from  sinister  motives,  sought  its  destruction. 

Robert  Kells,  who,  as  already  stated,  died  during  the  collegiate 
year  of  1887 — 18S8,  had  completed  more  than  thirty  years  of  his 
trusteeship,  the  larger  portion  of  which  he  had  been  the  president  of 
the  Board.  Like  those  already  mentioned,  he  ever  took  a  deep  in- 
terest in  the  welfare  of  our  institution,  and  in  this  feeling,  he  had  the 
warm  sympathy  of  Mrs.  Kells,  the  daughter  of  the  venerable  M.  D. 
Phillips,  to  whom  we  have  just  referred.  During  her  lite  time,  she 
was  ever  in  accord  with  her  husband  and  father  in  their  eftbrts  to 
build  up  the  institution. 

Of  the  o;-iginal  trustees,  much  the  larger  portion  have  gone  to 
their  reward.  Many  of  those,  and  others,  deserve  to  have  their  ser- 
vices mentioned,  but  as  already  intimated,  our  limits  forbid. 


HISTORY     OF     MISST«;cTrr^|      BAPTISTS  1257 

BU1I.DINGS  AND  SROt'NDS— Thc  original  buildings  were  those 
■!)elonging  to  a  private  residence;  but  from  time  to  time  these  have 
been  enlarged  and  chan-jed.  and  others  added  to  them,  till  ample  ac 
commodations  are  now  furnished  for  sixty  boarding,  and  one  hun 
dred  or  more  day  pupils.  The  grounds  around  the  institute  consist 
of  about  nine  acres,  which  are  laid  out  in  grass  plats,  flower  and 
vegetable  gardens,  orchard,  etc..  ornamented  with  shade  and  ever- 
green trees,  altogether  making  the  surroundings  unusuallv  attractive 
and  well  calculated  to  teach  the  young  ladies  how  to  make  home- 
surroundings  beautiful.  At  the  beginning  of  the  war,  a  new  edifice 
designed  to  be  the  largest  for  school  purposes  in  the  South-west,  was 
m  progress,  and  had  advanced  as  far  as  to  the  second  story,  but 
this  enterprise,  like  most  others  in  the  South,  had  to  be  stopped,  and 
when  peace  came,  the  trustees,  finding  themselves  in  debt  with  their 
assets  rendered  worthless  b^-  the  general. bankruptcy  of  the  country, 
felt  obliged  to  abandon  the  undertaking.  To  the  president  of  the 
institution,  they  made  over  this  unfinished  edifice  and  its  nineteen 
acres  of  ground,  incltiding  a  beautiful  grove  in  the  midst  of  which  the 
building  had  been  placed,  and  they  also  made  over  to  him  the  other 
grounds  and  buildings  which  were  then,  and  now  are  occupied  by 
the  school,  on  the  condition  that  he  would  pav  the  debts.  These 
debts  he  paid,  and  the  property  consequently  became  his.  Without 
the  means  to  complete  so  costly  a  building,  h.'  turned  his  attention 
to  the  enlarging  and  improving  the  buildings  alreadv  in  use,  and  to 
the  beautifying  of  the  grounds  as  already  described. 

How  THE  INSTITUTE  HAS  BEEN  SUPPORTED:— As  may  i>e  inferred 
from  the  foregoing,  the  pecuniary  support  of  the  institution  depends 
entirely  upon  the  president  who  secures  the  faculty  and  is  responsilile 
to  them  for  their  salaries  as  well  as  for  all  other  expenses  incurred  in 
carrying  on  the  school.  Without  any  income  from  endowment  or 
other  source,  except  what  it  has  derived  from  its  tuition  and  other 
iees,  it  has  been  so  conducted  as  to  maintain  a  large  and  efficient 
faculty,  and  to  give  the  president  the  ability  to  bestow  the  benefaction 
of  an  education  in  part,  or  entirely  upon  manv  a  deserving  voung 
lady  who  otherwise  must  have  been  debarred  of  its  advantages. 

The  discipline  and  general  management  of  the  school  have  always, 
or  at  least  for  the  last  thirty-three  years  been  given  ipto  the  hands 
of  the  president  of  the  faculty  by  the  Board  of  Trustees,  which  has 
stood  to  him  in  the  relation  of  an  advisorA'  council,  rather  than  as 
an  authoritative,  managing  body'.  A  third  of  acentury  of  experience 
has  shown  the  wisdom  of  such  an  arrangement.     No  institution  has 


1258  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

been  more  crticicntly  conducted,  uniformly  ])rosperous,  even  in  the 
midst  uf  the  most  untoward  circumstances,  nor  has  given  yroater 
satisfaction  to  its  numerous  patrons  than  this. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  urtjanized  as  a  self- perpetuating  body,  has 
been  less  under  the  control  of  outside  influences  than  it  would  have 
been,  had  it  been  suljject  to  periodical  changes,  and  has  thus  l)eea 
enabled  to  maintain  in  feeling  and  action,  greater  harmony  with  the 
president  and  his  assistants  in  the  faculty.  Oneness  of  purpose  has 
been'  carried  out,  cind  has  exerted  its  influence  greatly  to  the  benefit 
of  the  school. 

Pl.\..\  OK  ()K(;.\..\iz.\tion: — It  was  the  design  of  the  fouiulers  in 
establishing  tlie  Institute,  to  make  it  a  school  of  high  grade,  where 
young  ladies  could  ol)tain  as  thorough  and  extended  an  education  as 
could  be  obtained  in  the  best  institutions,  and  not  inferior,  taken  as 
a  wliole,  to  the  usual  College  course  of  young  men.  leaving  oft"  or 
curtailing  tlie  extent  of  some  studies,  and  jiutting  on  others,  or  in- 
creasing tile  extent  to  which  the\'  were  to  be  pursued,  and  thus 
adapting  the  itellectual  training  to  the  peculiar  spheres  to  be  occu- 
pied, knowing,  however,  that  comparatively  few  youngladies  would 
be  found  willing  or  a])le  to  trike  the  full  course,  and  tliat  no  suitable 
training  school  for  even  those  few  existed  in  the  part  of  the  country 
from  which  the  patronage  was  principally  to  come,  to  give  ])roper 
preparatory  training,  and  also  to  extend  the  advantages  of  a 
thorough  ])artial  education  to  such  as  would  take  onh'  this,  they 
connected  with  it  a  Prejiaratory  course  of  instruetion  where  pupils 
could  properly  be  prepared  to  enter  upon  the  collegiate  course.  .\s 
a  result,  many  ])upils  have  oi)tained  here  their  entire  education,  oc. 
cu])yinga  ])erio(i  of  ten  or  more  years  in  its  completion.  As  thorough- 
ness, rather  than  su])erficiality.  intended  to  be  a  lending  charactcri.s- 
tic  of  this  institution,  great  care  has  always  been  taken  in  selecting 
its  instructors,  to  obtain  such  as  were  known  to  have  been  educated 
in  tho.se  schools  whei-e  the  best  methods  of  education  are  understood, 
and'niost  thoroughly  practiced.  Consequently,  this  institution  has 
secured  a  reputation  for  thoroughness  of  which  few  can  boast. 

Attkndanci:: — The  number  of  ]m])ils  has  ranged  between  fitty- 
five  and  one  hundred  and  sixty-eight,  making  an  average  ot  about 
one  luuulred  for  the  thirt-six  years  of  its  existence.  A  larger  number 
would  have  been  averaged  had  not  the  limited  accommodations 
^omjjclled,  not  unfrequently,  the  turningaway  of  applicants,  and  had 
not  a  four  years'  war,  with  its  immediate  and  subsecpient  effects, 
diminished  the   average.     Setting  aside  that    jx-riod,    there  is    shown 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1259 

an  average  of  about  one  hundred  and  twenU'-five  as  the  yearly 
attendance.  This  has  been  about  as  large  a  number  as  it  could  con  - 
veniently  accommodate,  thus  giving  to  the  institution  from  year  to 
year  what  might  correcth'  be  considered  a  full  school. 

WhV    the   I.NSTITUTE   H.\S    XOT    BEE.X    .allowed   to    l.NCRE.VSE   ITS 

NLT.MBERS:— .\s  already  Stated,  orimplied,  almost  every  year  it  has  well 
filled  its  boarding  accommodations  and  not  unfrequently  been  obliged 
to  turn  away  tho.se  who  would  have  boarded  in  the  Institujte  From 
long  experience,  the  managers  of  the  institution  have  learned  that  its 
educating  power  is  very  much  diminished  in  its  effects  upon  pupils 
boarding  in  town,  and  therefore  they  have  not  encouraged,  of  late 
years,  the  attendance  of  such,  though  by  so  doing  a  much  larger 
average  might  have  been  maintained.  Convinced  as  the  president 
has  long  been,  that  much  better  and  more  enduring  educational 
work,  can  be  done  in  an  institution  whose  number  of  jiupils  is  suffi- 
ciently large  to  give  the  proper  stimulus,  and  at  tiie  same  time  not 
so  large  as  to  make  the  direct  personal  influence  of  the  president  and 
other  headsof  the  departments,  of  slight  or  noefiiciencv,  he  has  never 
been  ambitious  to  have  the  institute  great  in  numbers.  Conseciuent- 
ly,  he  has  never,  since  tlie  first  yertr,  gone  about  eanvassiny  for  stu- 
dents, nor  sent  an  agent  <nit  to  drum  them  up,  trusting  rather  to  the 
reputation  of  the  school  for  good  work,  to  induce  jiatronage,  and  to 
the  commendations  of  its  pupils,  patrons,  and  friends  generallv. 

GR.\ni-.^TEs: — From  the  Literary  Department,  there  have  Ijccu 
one  hundred  and  eighty-three  and  from  the  Musical  Department  thir- 
teen, to  graduate.  The  smallness  of  the  number  of  graduates,  con- 
sidering the  age  of  the  institution,  is  to  be  accounted  for  on  the 
ground  of  the  rigid  and  elevated  courses  of  study,  rc(|uired  to  enable 
one  to  attain  to  tlie  honor  of  graduation.  The  Institute,  though 
modest  in  her  name,  recjuires  a  true  Collegiate  Course  for  graduation, 
jind  one  much  more  extensive  and  elevated  than  niciny  institutions 
which  go  by  the/niore  aml)itious  name  of  College.  It  has  always 
been  her  policy'  to  give  full  signifieaney  to  a  Dijjloma  l)y  re(|uiring  its 
recipients  to  be  thoroughly  educated  in  those  branches  for  wliich  it 
has  been  bestowed. 

Some  k.\.cts  RESiM-;cTi.N(i  its  F.\cri,Tv: — Permanency  has  eharac 
terized  it,  not  only  in  other  respects,  but  also  in  respect  to  the  faculty' 
In  the  thirty-six  years  of  its  existence  it  has  had  but  three  presidents 
The  first,  Prof.  \Vm.  Duncan,  held  his  ]josition  one  year,  and  the  sec- 
ond. Rev.  F'eter  Crawford,  A.  M.,  two  years;  but  the  third  and 
present  incumbent.  Rev.  Walter  Hillman,  L.  L.  I).,  has  not  eoni])Ieted 


1260  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

his  thirty-third  year.  Prof.  E.  Menger'has  remained  at  the  head  of 
the  Musical  .Department  for  over  thirty-three  3-ears,  while  the  presi 
dent's  wife  presided  over  the  Ornamintal  Departnunt  and  taught 
some  of  the  higher  literary  branches,  besides  acting  as  lady  principal 
for  many  years,  and  though  for  some  years  of  late,  not  engaged  in 
teaching,  still  gives  to  it  the  benefit  of  her  ripe  experience,  in  the  gen 
cral  oversight  of  its  affairs,  she  continues  to  maintain.  The  connec- 
tion of  ssveral  of  its  other  teachers  was  continued  through  periods 
of  no  inconsiderable  length.  In  fact,  it  has  ever  been  the  p:)licy  of 
the  management  to  retain  the  services  of  a  truly  efficient  teacher  as 
long  a  time  as  possible.  To  this,  in  a  great  measure,  it  is  believed  is 
attributable  the  marked  success  of  the  institution. 

The  following  commendatory  item  on  progress  of  Institution  is 
given  by  Charles  Hillman  Brough  : 

In  1889,  the  value  of  the  Institute  property  was  substantially 
increased  by  the  addition  of  a  commodious  chapel  building  and  dor- 
mitory named  "  Adelia  Hall,"  in  honor  of  Mrs.  Adelia  AI.  Hillman, 
the  wife  of  the  president.  This  building,  with  its  well-arranged  As- 
sembly, Scientific,  Art  and  Physical  Culture  rooms,  and  its  neat  and 
convenientU-  situated  dormitories,  greatly  increased  the  patronage 
of  the  institution  and  insured  its  permanent  usefulness.  During  the 
commencement  exercises  of  the  session  1891—92,  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees of  Central  Female  Institute  resolved  to  change  the  name  of  the 
Institute  and  give  to  it  what  all  will  deem  most  appropriate,  the 
name  of  those  who  had,  for  thirty-'five  years,  been  its  successful  con- 
ductors—Hillman  College.  But  tor  Dr.  Hillman  the  merited  honor 
w^as  short-lived,  for  on  April  9th,  1894,  this  eminent  teacher  and 
good  man  was  summoned  to  receive  the  plaudit  promised  a  faithful 
servant.  However,  his  able  and  devoted  co-laborer,  Mrs.  Hillman, 
proved  equal  to  the  responsibility  Providence  had  placed  upon  her, 
and  during  the  two  years  of  her  administration  as  president,  the 
college  prospered.  In  1896  she  was  succeeded  by  Dr.  Franklin  L. 
Kiley,  a  Ph.  D.  of  the  Johns  Hopkins  University,  and  a  scholar  of 
unusual  attainments  and  accuracy,  w^ho  contributed  much  to  the 
present  high  educational  and  ethical  standard  of  the  institution. 
The  Hillman  College  property,  with  the  exception  of  "Tlie  Cottage," 
in  1897  was  purchased  from  Mrs.  Hillman  by  Rev.  George  Wharton, 
D.  D.,  who  served  as  president  until  January,  1901,  when  the  school 
became  the  property  of  Dr.  John  L.  Johnson.  Dr.  Johnson,  who  is 
an  alumnus  of  the  University  of  Virginia,  and  was  for  sixteen  years 
I'roiessorof  English  in  the  University  of  Mississippi,  brings  to  tht 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1261 

crowning  labor  of  his  life  ripeness  of  scholarship  und  experience,  a, 
•  glorious  heritage  for  an  institution  which,  in  1903,  will  enter  upon 
the  semi-centennial  year  of  its  existence.  Associated  with  Dr.  John- 
son in  the  management  of  the  college  is  his  son,  John  L.  Johnson,  Jr., 
a  brilliant  alumnus  of  the  Universit\'  of  Mississippi,  with  ten  year.s' 
experience  in  the  educational  field  of  Georgia — a  team  which  insures 
success  and  an  expanding  work  for  the  Master's  cause. 

Educatio.nal  facilities: — These  are,  in  brief,  good  Philosophical 
and  Chemical  Apparatus,  numerous  maps  and  charts,  and  other 
such  like  means  of  illustration,  a  Library  of  nearly  two  thousand 
well  selected  volumes,  cabinets  containing  man\'  rich  and  rare  speci- 
mens, illustrative  of  the  Sciences  of  Geologj',  Mineralogj',  Conchology,. 
Natural  History,  etc. 

In  her  museum  collections,  the  Institute  is  iK'licved  to  1)l'  unicjuc, 
there  being  no  institution,  at  least  in  the  South-west,  possessing  col- 
lections so  varied,  extensive  and  excellent. 

The  Musical  department  possesses  six  pianos,  a  melodcon,  and 
an  organ. 

A  successful  Literary  Societ3^  has  been  maintained  for  the  last 
thirt\^-three  years,  which  has  contributed  not  a  little  Lo  the  intel- 
lectual development  for  its  members. 

SuccKSsycLCAREER  AMID  UNTOWARD  ciRpf.visTA.NCEs: — This  insti- 
tution, when  the  circumstances  which  have  surrounded  it,  are  taken 
into  consideration,  must  be  regarded  as  having  had  a  remarkably 
successful  career.  For  thirty-six  years,  it  has  suffered  no  interruption, 
beginning  and  completing  each  collegiate  year,  and  that  t(}o,  when 
for  four  years,  it  was  in  the  very  pathwa3'  of  contending  armies. 
Not  a  day's  interruption  in  itsexercises  was  there  on  account  of  their 
presence,  a  fact  which  is  believed  can  be  said  of  no  other  school  in  the 
South,  at  least  of  no  other  situated  aiw  where  near  the  scenes  of  hos- 
tilities. So  far,  too,  it  has  weathered  all.  the  financial  storms  which 
have  swept  so  frequentlj'^  over  the  part  of  the  country  where  it  is  lo- 
cated, and  has  paid  to  the  last  dollar  ever\'  teacher  and  employee 
who  have  given  to  it  their  services.  This  has  been  done,  as  has  be- 
fore been  said,  tiot  out  of  the  proceeds  of  endowments,  or  contri- 
butions, but  from  what  has  been  received  from  its  pupils. 

What  has  the  institute  accomplished? — Its  founders  pro- 
po.sed  in  its  establishment  an  institution  for  imparting  high  literary 
culture  to  the  female  mind  amid  the  purif)'ing  influences  of  morality 
and  religion.  Has  it  accomplished  this  purpose?  Let  the  answer 
come  from  the  hundreds  of  matrons  who  are  throwing  the  influence 


1262  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

of  their  own  cultiviited  intellects  upon  the  jirowing  niiiuls  of  tlieir 
children,  and  are  rearing  them  up  according  to  the  principles  here 
learned,  to  lives  of  virtue  and  Christian  usefulness;  let  it  come  from 
the  thousands  of  the  children  who  have  felt  and  are  now  feeling,  the 
elevating  power  oi"  the  hundreds  of  most  excellent  teachers,  it  has  sent 
forth,  and  let  the  answer  come  from  the  many  hundreds  of  others 
-who,  with  hearts  and  minds  more  or  less  cultivated,  dviring  the 
thirty-six  years  of  the  Institute's  prosperous  existence,  have  gone 
forth  all  over  the  world  to  bless  their  homes  by  planting  in  them  the 
seeds,  and  cultivating  there  the  flowers  of  virtue,  refineniLMit,  and 
religion. 

To  complete  the  summary  of  the  work  done  l)y  the  Centralte- 
male  Institute,  it  is  necessary  to  mention  not  only  ner  agency  in  de- 
veloping educationally  her  own  ]nii)ils,  but  also  her  general  influence 
in  elevating  the  standard  and  extending  the  area  of  education  in  our 
own  South-west  countrv.  Wiien  she  came  into  existence  thirty-six 
years  ago,  she  stood  almost  alone  in  her  effort  to  furnish  in  the 
South-west  as  cultivated,  extended,  and  thorough  a  course  of  educa- 
tion as  could  be  obtained  in  the  older  states.  The  institutions,  even 
professing  to  furnish  such  a  course  were  few,  and  the  most  of  these 
were  so  faulty  in  their  organization  and  in  the  manner  in  which  they 
were  conducted,  as  to  come  far  short  of  their  ])rofessions.  As  the 
result,  confidence  in  their  educating  ability,  did  not  exist,  and  those 
young  ladies  for  whom  a  high  intellectual  development  was  sought, 
w^ei-e  sent  to  the  older  states  or  to  Europe.  One  institution  there 
was,  which  now  exists,  that  rightfully  claimed  to  do  as  good  work 
as  those  in  the  older  states,  and  that  institution  was  Judson  Female 
Institute,  at  Marion,  Alal)ama.  Now,  how  is  it?  We  see  our  own 
and  the  neigboring  states,  dotted  thickly  over  with  excellent  institu- 
tions of  learning,  which  are  fully  able  to  meet  the  demands  for  higher 
education.  What  connection  has,  the  Institute  whose  history  we  are 
endeavoring  to  set  forth,  with  these  institutions?  To  somj  she  has 
been  the  mother,  for  her  pupils  have  established  them,  or  directly  in- 
fluenced their  establishment  or  maintainance.  To  others  she  has 
been  an  example  and  a  stimulus,  while  for  more  than  a  third  of  a 
century  of  unintjrrupt.^d  activity,  she  has  done  no  little  in  awaken- 
ing and  sustaining  the  interest,  andin  elevating  the  sentiments  of  the 
generation  in  educational  matters. 

Still  incomplete  would  be  the  history  of  this  institution,  were  we 
to  omit  to  state  what  it  has  done  for  Mississippi  College.  During 
the  war,  the  Institute  continued  its   daily   work.     This   fact,    so   pe- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1263 

culiar,  seoined  ti)  please  the  conmiander  otthe  Federtil  armies  whieh 
occupied  the  town,  and  they  j^ave  to  it  full  protection  as  well 
jis  to  the  t(iwn,  and  when,  on  one  occasion  at  least,  they  were  about 
to  l)uni  the  buildings  of  Mississippi  College,  through  the  pleadings  of 
president  and  Mrs.  Hillnian,  they  were  dissujided  from  their  purpose. 
The  end  of  the  four  years'  contest,  found  Mississippi  College  with  an 
iinfenced  camjjus,  with  buildings  still  standing,  it  is  true,  but  door- 
less,  windowless,  roofless,  and  in  some  cases  floorless,  without 
money  or  credit,  and  withadel)t  of  nearly  $8,000.00  in  the  form  of  a 
judgment,  in\'olving  all  the  ])roperty,  about  to  l)e  executed  ujjon  it, 
Jind  with  neither  a  iaculty  nor  students.  In  this  ])erilous  jiosition, 
when  all  seemed  aliout  to  be  lost  to  the  denomination,  the  trustees 
turned  for  help  to  the  Institute,  which  was  still  inu-suing  her  pros- 
perous career.  Ten  years  liefore  they  had  given  to  her  their  profes- 
sor to  become  her  president,  Jind  now  they  appealed  to  him  for  aid. 
They  needed  money  to  stop  the  execution  of  the  judgment,  money  to 
repjiir  and  refurnish  the  buildings,  and  money  to  enable  them  to 
make  other  iirrangements  incident  to  the  re-opening  of  the  college, 
which  thev  were  eoiitem[)lating.  I'nable  to  go  himself,  President 
Hillman  arranged  for  his  wife  to  go  north  as  an  agent  to  raise  the 
necessary  funds.  A  few  weeks"  effort  and  enough  money  in  the  form 
of  dontitions  was  obtained  to  make  the  necessary  rejiairs  tind  to 
supply  what  was  needed  in  the  way  of  furniture  and  like  things  for 
the  re-opening,  and  enough  mone\'  was  borrtjwed  through  the  per- 
sonal credit  of  the  Institute  officers  to  pa\-  off  the  judgment. 

A  president  was  now  wanted.  Again  the  trustees  appealed  to 
the  Institute  to  give  up  a  part  of  the  time  of  her  president  to  them. 
She  did,  and  he  became  the  president  also  of  the  college.  Entering 
upon  the  duties  of  the  office,  he  began  the  session  of  1S67— 8  with 
one  assistant  and  eleven  students,  and  when  he  gave  up  the  presi- 
dency, at  the  end  of  the  sixth  year,  he  was  able  to  exhibit  in  the 
catalogue  of  that  year  one  htmdrcd  and  ninety-  students  and  a 
faculty  of  ten  professors  and  assistants.  In  the  meantime  all  debts 
had  been  paid  or  provided  for  and  several  thousand  dollars  in  cash, 
or  its  e(|uivalent,  was  in  the  college  treasury. 

Thus  for  the  second  time  salvation  came  to  the  College  from  the 
Institute,  and  hence  as  implied  in  the  foregoing,  no  accurate  history 
of  the  Central  Female  Institute  cap  be  v^'ritten,  which  does  not  show 
her  to  have  been  in  a  certain  sense,  the  savior  of  Mississippi  College 
and  the  restorer  to  the  Baptist  denomination  of  an  educational 
power,  without  which,  its  present  wonderful  development  as  a  de- 
nomination could  not  have  been  attained. 


1264  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

In  conclusion,  it  may  be  justly  said  that  this  institution  hiis  kept 
constantly  in  view  the  purp<jse  lor  which  it  was  established,  and  has 
successfully  performed  its  mission,  and  providentially  has  been  able 
to  do  much  more  good  than  the  most  sanguine  of  its  founders  could 
have  anticipated.  J.  A.  Hackett,  President  of 

Geo.  Whitp-iklu.  Secretary.  Board  of  Trustee.-^ 

luly  22,  1889. 

UNIVERSITY  OF  DESOTO. 

The  Semple  Broaddus  College,  or  the  University  of  DeSoto,  had 
its  first  session  in  1856-'57.  It  was  situated  at  Centre  Ridge,  De- 
Soto County.  It  was  only  remotely  connected  with  Mississippi 
Baptists,  but  was  in  our  State,  had  a  faculty  composed  of  Baptists, 
and  looked  to  the  Baptists  for  patronage.  It  will  therefore  receive 
some  notice. 

It  is  said  of  the  institvition  that  it  "rivals  no  other."  It  isaneees- 
sit3-  of  North  Mississippi,  West  Tennessee  and  Eastern  Arkansas." 
The  school  looked  to  th  at  territory  for  male  students.  The  concep- 
tion of  its  founders  was  large,  too  large  for  the  projected  enterprise. 

Centre  Hill  was  four  miles  from  Bray's  Station,  on  the  Memphis 
&  Charleston  Railroad,  twenty-five  miles  from  Memphis,  and  twen- 
ty-three miles  from  Holly  Springs,  Marshal  County.  It  was  not  at 
an}- centre  of  influence,  nor  on  an^'  railway.  It  was  a  misconcep- 
tion. 

William  Carey  Crane  was  its  founder  and  its  chief  promoter  in 
the  few  3-ears  of  its  existence.  C.  R.  Hendrickson,  a  minister  of  note, 
was  professor  of  Ecclesiastical  History.  Joseph  R.  Hamilton,  long 
the  Principal  of  the  Cold  Water  Female  Seminary,  was  professor  of 
Latin  and  Greek.  Robt.  A.  Higgins  was  in  the  chair  of  Mittheniat- 
ics,  and  W.  W.  Keep,  the  general  financial  agent  of  the   school. 

This  school,  I'ivaling  none  and  reported  upon  by  no  association, 
nor  by  our  State  Convention,  was  of  brief  existence:  It  was  looked 
upon  b}'  the  friends  of  the  Convention  with  ill-favor.  It  was  not 
needed  in  the  State.  It  got  support  that  should  have  been  given  to 
Mississippi  College,  and  in  a  measure  alienated  that  part  of  North 
Mississippi  from  our  State  school.  A  more  extended  notice  would 
have  been  given  to  it,  if  it  had  been_  reported  upon  by  any  district  a.s- 
sociation  or  the  Convention.  This  much  has  been  written  with  a 
feeling  that  the  writer  is  (;n  the  borc^ering  line  ol  his  design  in  this 
history.  Some  fineeducators  were  in  charge  of  the  institution  of 
learning. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1265 

THE  CENTRAL  HIGH  vSCHOOL. 

In  the  \-car  1884-,  the  Chickasahay  Association  was  exercised  as 
to  the  establishment  of  a  high  school.  The  Pearl  Leaf  and  Ebenezer 
Associations  were  likewise  interested  in  such  a  project.  They  need- 
edin  that  part  of  the  State,  a  good  high  school  under  judicious  man- 
agement for  the  development  of  their  boys  and  girls. 

The  Chickasaha\' Association  thought  Enterprise  the  best  place 
for  their  high  school.  This  opinion  was  publicly  expressed  in  1884 
and  in  1885.  But  hi  1885,  the  committee  raised  in  that  association 
on  the  subject  reported  that  circumstances  over  which  they  had  no 
control  compelled  them  to  think  that  for  the  time  being  it  would  be 
well  to  abandon  the  enterprise.     So  the  question  had  rest. 

But  in  1889,  the  question  was  revived.  The  committee  raised  on 
the  subject  four  years  before  was  eager  to  report:  Light  had  dawn-' 
ed  on  the  enterprise.  The  institution  had  been  established  at  Kawles 
Springs,  near  Hattiesburg.  During  the  associational  year,  $1,200.00 
had  been.contriliuted  in  cash  and  jaledges  to  the  school.  Capt.  W. 
H.  Hardy  and  Miss  Martha  Rawles  had  donated  five  acres  of  land 
to  be  used  for  school  purposes.  The  Pearl  Leaf  and  Ebenezer  Asso- 
ciations had  alread3^  indorsed  the  institution.  The  school  was  to 
draw  patronage  from  the  counties  of  Clark,  Lauderdale,  Wayne 
Jones,  Perr\-,  Hancock,  Lawrence,  Covington  and  Marion. 

Work  on  school  building  was  begun  and  high  hopes  were  enter- 
tained as  to  the  future  of  their  school.  But  in  1890,  a  debt  of  $152.- 
50  was  reported  to  the  Chickasahay  Association.  The  claim  was 
held  by  the  Meridian  Sash&  Blind  Factory.  The  Chickasaha}' Asso- 
ciation agreed  to  pa}'  $102.50  of  the  indel)tedness,  leaving  the  re- 
mainder to  be  paid  b\^  the  Pearl  Leaf  and  the  Ebenezer  Associations. 

Elder  J.P.Williams  had  charge  of  the  school  in  1890,  '91,  and '92. 
It  is  his  opinion  that  the  local  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  con- 
trolled the  school,  and  that  the  relation  of  the  enterprise  to  the  Bap- 
tists was  largely  nominal.  He  was  employed  by  "the  local  patrons" 
and  not  by  the  associations.  The  school,  he  says,  "is  still  carried  on 
the  same  way." 

This  being  true,  the  relation  of  the  Central  High  School  to  our 
denomination  is  too  indefinite  to  warrant  an  extended  considera- 
tion. The  school  is  well  located,  and  it  is  hoped  will  continue  to  ex- 
ert its  influence  over  the  boys  and  girls  of  that  part  of  the  State. 

The  Chickasahay*  Association  appointed  as  trustees  of  this  insti- 
tution in  1891,  T.  B.  Boijner,  W.  M.   Conner,  and   H.  H.    McComb. 


1266  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

In  1S92,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  report  the  following  year  on 
the  interest  ot'  the  school.  That  committee  reported  a  debt  of  be- 
tween one  and  two  hundred  dollars  on  the  school  property  and  that 
the  school  of  23  pupils  was  taught  by  Miss  Emma  Rawles.  In  1895, 
the  Pearl  Leaf  Association  agreed  to  take  charge  of  the  school  if  the 
Chickasahay  would  pa^-  half  of  the  debt  due  on  the  property,  which 
proposition  was  not  accepted. 


CAKROLLTON  FEMALE  COLLEGE. 

When  it  became  a  certainty  that  the  old  Mississippi  Central 
Railroad,  nowthe  I.  C.  Railway,  would  not  pass  through  Carrollton, 
strenuous  efibrt  was  made  to  continue  the  liveW  existence  of  the 
town.  A  large  factory  was  built  about  a  mile  south  of  the  place  at 
n  bold,  perennial  spring,  and  a  large  college  building  was  erected  on 
a  t)eautiful  eminence  in  a  five  acre  lot  in  the  western  part  of  the 
town. 

The  school  established  on  this  property'  was  called  Carrollton  Fe- 
male College,  and  was  duly  chartered  and  equipped  for  college  work. 
The  building  was  three  stories  high,  with  the  boarding  apartment 
iind  the  recitation  hall  under  one  roof  The  property  was  held  by  a 
stock  company.  The  school  was  strictly  for  young  ladies.  No  male 
pupils  were  to  ))e  admitted  however  young.  The  location  is  so 
wholesome  tluit  no  death  was  ever  known  to  occur  in  the  college 
building. 

It  is  not  material  for  this  histcjr}' as  to  who  were  its  presidents 
•or  how  well  the  enterprise  succeeded  before  it  came  under  Baptist 
control..  But  it  will  not  be  out  of  place  to  say  that  after  the  Civil 
War  it  was  highly  prosperous  under  the  management  of  Prof. 
Belcher,  a  teacher  of  great  energy,  discretion  and  proficiencj*.  He 
added  largely  to  its  philosophical  and  chemical  apparatus,  and  se- 
cured a  fine  matriculation  yearly. 

In  1889,  it  was  desired  to  place  the  school  under  Baptist  influ- 
ence. J.  B.  Gambrell,  E.  E.  King,  T.J.  Bailev,  A.  V.  Rowe  and  others 
were  exercised  on  the  subject.  Dr.  A.  J.  Quinche,  then  prepared  to 
*issume  control  of  the  school,  was  solicited  to  take  charge  of  the  en- 
terj^rise.  Tf)  the  delight  of  many  he  was  inclined  to  do  so,  and  it 
was  thought  that,  beyoud  doubt,  the  arrangements  would  be  made 
to  secure  the  .services  of  that  distinguished  educator.  But  his  unex- 
pected death  left  the  friends  of  the  enterprise  without  arrangements 
for  opening  the  school  in  the  fall. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1267 

The  scholastic  year  of  1892-93  was  encouraging,  Ijut'not  so 
marked-  for  full  attendance  as  the  two  years  previous.  Miss  Mamie 
Buckley  and  Miss  Byrd  Nelson,  ot  Carrollton,  were  graduated.  The 
published  list  of  alumnae  that  year  shows  that  in  1882  there  were 
graduated  from  the  College  seven  pupils,  in  1883  six,  in  1887  three, 
and  in  other  years  as  has  already  been  stated. 

No  catalogue  was  published  of  the  year  1893-94,  as  the  president 
resigned  at  the  close  of  that  session  to  become  pastor  at  Clinton. 
But  two  3'oung  ladies  were  graduated  that  session— Miss  Ida  Lou 
Turner  and  Miss   Carrie  Leavell. 

For  two  years  afterward  the  College  had  as  its  President,  Elder 
V.  H.  Nelson.  The  school  was  well  officered  and  prosperous  under 
his  administration.  But  at  the  close  of  that  period,  the  town  of 
Carrollton  chose  to  purchase  the  property  of  the  College  for  the 
graded  school  of  the  town. 

The  Carrollton  Female  College  was  useful  in  its  day,  and  was 
well  sustained  by  the  citizens  of  Carrollton.  Carrollton  is  one  of 
the  most  pleasant  towns  in  the  State.  The  patrons  of  the  school 
were  true  to  the  enterprise  and  generous  in  its  support.  The  writer 
considers  that  it  was  one  of  the  greatest  privileges  of  his  life  to 
spend  a  few  years  with  them,  and  to  contribute  in  some  measure,  to 
the  culture  and  charms  of  their  daughters. 

Elder  Z.  T.  Leavell,  then  pastor  in  Natchez,  was  induced  to  accept 
the  presidency  of  the  college.  The  first  session  of  his  incumbenc}'  be- 
gan September  30,  1889.  He  sent  out  a  short  "prospectus,"  giving 
some  facts  as  to  the  character  of  his  new  undertaking. 

During  the  session  of  lS99-'90,  the  register  showed  61  students 
in  attendance  from  Carroll,  Leflore,  Coahoma  and  Holmes  counties. 
Of  this  number,  18  were  taking  music  and  16  composed  the  art  class. 
Miss  Maggie  Webb,  of  Clinton,  was  teacher  of  vocal  and  instru- 
mental music  and  art,  and  iji  the  literary  department  the  president 
was  ably  assisted  by  Mrs.  Lizzie  Liddell  and  Miss  Addie   Liddell. 

The  school  was  indorsed  by  the  Yazoo  and  Deer  Creek  Associa- 
tions, and  was  well  suppo:  l  '1  in  their  territory.  Elder  A.  V.  Rowe 
was  President  of  u)c  Bocird  o  Trustees  and  B.  F.  Roach,  Secretary. 
Concerning  the  school,  H  >  i.  J.  Z.  George  said:  "I  hear  good  re- 
ports from  Carrollton  Female  College.  I  know  of  no  betterlocation 
for  a  school  of  that  character."  Elder  J.  B.  Gambrell  said;  "The 
situation  is  beautiful,  the  building  is  second  best  in  the  State,  and 
the  location,  in  the  suburbs  of  Carrollton,  is  not  excelled  for  health- 
fulness,  or  desirability,  any  where  in  our  bounds."     Hon.  Fred  Beall, 


1268  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

of  West  Point,  generously  said  of  the  president:  "I   know  of  no  one- 
better  qualified,  or  more  worthy  to  have  charge  of  a  female  college." 

The  session  of  1890-91  was  exceedingl 3'  gratifying.  The  enroll- 
ment was  120.  Three  young  ladies  were  graduated  that  session — 
Meady  Eggleston,  ot  Carrollton,  Sallie  C.  Liddell,  of  Shell  iMound, 
and  Lena  Staton,  of  Pickens.  There  were  four  additions  to  the  fac- 
ult}'— Miss  Lallah  Kimbrough,  of  Carrollton,  Miss  Hallie  Nelson, 
daughter  of  Elder  V.  H.  Nelson,  and  Mrs.  M.  "J.  Nelson,  of  Oxford. 
Miss  M.  Annette  Pierce,  of  Greenville,  had  charge  of  the  department 
of  music,  with  Mrs.  Z.  T.  Leavell  as  assistant. 

The  session  of  1891-92  was  about  as  the  collegiate  year  jirevious. 
Miss  Flora  Nelson  and  Miss  Lucie  Woods,  of  Carrollton,  were  grad- 
uated from  the  literary  department,  and  Miss  Mary  Gee,  of  Carroll- 
ton, in  music.  Miss  Emily  Crouch,  of  New  Orleans,  was  added  ta 
the  faculty  as  teacher  of  Physical  Culture  and  Kindergarten,  and 
Miss  Maggie  Webb  was  in  charge  of  the  department  of  music. 

MARY  WASHLXGTON   FEMALE  COLLEGE. 

The  Chickasaw  Association,  in  1850,  adopted  a  resolution  re- 
(juesting  their  messengers  to  the  Abei'deen  Association  to  sulimit  a 
proposition  to  that  body  to  unite  with  them  in  the  establishment  of 
a  female  school  of  high  order  to  be  under  the  control  of  Baptists.  It 
was  understood  that  should  the  proposition  be  favorabl^^  received 
bj- the  Aberdeen,  that  the  moderator  should  appoint  three  others* 
who  with  the  messengers,  should  constitute  a  committee  of  seven  to 
meet  with  a  like  committee  of  the  Aberdeen,  to  locate  the  institution 
of  learning  and  to  adopt  necessary  plans  for  the  opening  of  the 
Seminary. 

The  following  year,  1851,  the  Joint  committee  reported  to  the 
Chickasaw  Association,  through  their  chairman,  William  H.  Hol- 
combe.  The  other  members  of  the  joint  committee  were  Elijah  Moore, 
Elijah  Smith,  and  Simon  R.  Spight.  They  reported  that  the  institu- 
tion had  been  located  at  Pontotoc  on  a  lot  of  foi'ty  acres  of  land. 
They  had  a  spacious  building,  sufficiently  large  to  accommodate  one 
hundred  students,  and  valued  at  $6,000.00.  Col.  G.  G.  Reneau  had 
also  given  them  seventeen  acres,  and  nine  members  of  the  committee 
gave  one  hundred  acres  adjoining  the  other  land,  making  in  all  157 
acres.  The  Board  of  Trustees  was  to  consist  of  twenty  members^ 
ten  from  each  of  the  two  associations.  The  school  was  to  open 
January  1,  1852.     The  school  was  incoqiorated  this  year. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1269 

The  session  of  1852-53  was  highh'  satisfactory.  The  college  was 
then  under  the  direct  patronage  of  the  Chickasaw,  Choctaw,  Colum- 
bus and  Aberdeen  associations.  Dr.  H.  H.  Tucker,  who  spent  the 
most  of  his  life  in  Georgia,  a  well  known  educator  and  theologian, 
was  then  president  of  the  institution.  Eighty  pupils  matriculated 
the  first  session.  The  situation  was  lovely,  and  the  air  salubrious  in 
that  "region  of  hanging  grape,"  as  the  name  Pontotoc  signifies.  It 
was  said  that  the  institution  was  enstamped  with  "the  broad  seal 
of  heaven's  approbation."  Martin  Ball  and  wife  had  charge  of  the 
Steward's  Hall,  and  were  due  much  credit  for  "their  faithfulness  in 
discharging  the  arduous  and  responsible  duties." 

J.  R.Davis  was  agent  of  the  institution  in  1851-52,  Dr.  Hampton 
in  1853,  and  E.  B.  Aiken  in  1854.. 

The  associations  annually  appointed  the  trustees  of  the  institu- 
tion, and  for  a  number  of  j^ears  the  school  was  highly  prasperous. 
Dr.  William  L.  Slack  was  president  for  three  years,  beginning  in 
the  fall  of  1853.  He  was  well  and  favorably  known  as  an  educator 
and  a  practicing  physician  in  North  Mississippi.  He  was  succeeded 
by  Prof.  Bateman,  who  had  charge  of  the  institution  until  it  closed 
doors  in  1858.  Wm.  Keeney  was  at  one  time  connected  with  the 
school.  The  report  made  to  the  Chickasaw  Association  on  education 
had  in  it  this  language:  "Marv  Washington,  a  female  college  located 
at  Pontotoc,  Mississippi,  we  regret  to  sa3-,  has  gone  down." 

The  Mary  Washington  did  much  good  for  the  \-oung  woman- 
hood of  North  Mississippi.  Many  of  the  students  3'et  live, and  are  char- 
acterized by  thought  and  refinement.  These  names  have  been  fur- 
nished the  writer,  which  we  add  to  those  already-  spoken  of— Laura 
Coleman,  Annie  Coleman,  Nettie  Coleman,  Carrie  Hornburger,  Bettie 
Leland,  Mary  Prude,  Eliza  J.  Mallory,  Sue  Brock,  Eliza  Nash,  Bettie 
Boland,  Addie  Ware,  Mary  Cannon,  and  Marj-  Heard.  The  Mary 
Washington  had  some  able  educators  as  its  prosidents,  and  is  a 
pleasant  recollection  to  many  now  growing  old.  When  the  school 
was  in  its  prime,  the  writer  was  a  bo\%  just  eight  miles  away,  but 
too  3'oung  to  be  fascinated  by  its  charming  pupils. 

In  1853,  there  were  ninety-four  pupils  enrolled,  of  which  twelve 
were  studj'ing  the  ancient  languages,  and  forty-seven  were  music 
pupils,  using  four  pianos.  In  the  list  of  students  we  find  the  names 
of  Mary  E.  Anderson,  (Mrs.  Ervin,  of  Columbus),  Mattie  J.  Butler, 
(Mrs.  Nelson,  once  missionary  in  New  Orleans),  Joanna  L.  Ball, 
(Mrs.  L.  R.  Burress,  of  Geevllle),  and  S.  Fannie  Forman,  (Mrs.  Dr. 
C.  G.  Mitchell,  of  New  Albany).     The  school  sent  out  two  graduates 


1270  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

thr.it  _vear.  S.  Fannie  Forniin,  of  Noxnhec,  and  R.  P.  Sniilli,  of  Ok- 
tibbeha county.  "M.  Ball  and  lady"  were  still  in  char<;jc  of  the 
Steward's  Department.  The  young  ladies  were  required  to  rise  at 
live  o'clock  in  the  morninj;,  and  study  an  hour  befcjre  breakfast.  The 
institution  had  a  costly  philosophical  and  chemical  apparatus. 


UTICA   FEMALE  INSTITUTE. 

In  1851,  the  Yalobusha  Female  Seminary  had  a  representative 
at  the  meetinja;  of  the  Central  Association.  He  was  there  with  a 
re(|uest  that  the  Central  Association  c(j-operate  with  the  Yalobusha 
Association  in  their  patronage  and  support  of  that  school. 

Dr.  M.  W.  Phillips,  then  a  wealthy  planter  at  old  Auborn,  and  a 
man  of  much  fondness  fov  learning,  wished  the  Central  Association 
to  take  cognizance  of  a  school  in  their  bounds.  He  presented  the 
following  preamble  and  resolution  : 

"  We  learn  with  great  pleasure  that  our  beloved  brother,  W.  H. 
Taylor,  has  a  female  institute  at  Utica,  now  in  successful  operation, 
with  all  the  necessary  appliances  toward  giving  to  the  females  of  our 
country  a  finished  education.     Be  it  therefore, 

"Resolved,  that  we  do  hereby  most  cordially  recommend  said 
Institute  to  the  patronage  of  our  denomination, "etc. 

The  third  session  of  the  Utica  Female  Institute,  as  such,  began 
September  22,  1S51.  Tiie  school-room  was  40  by  2('>  feet,  conven- 
iently arranged  and  well  furnished.  Another  room  .30  by  18  feet 
was  to  I)e  ready  for  use  by  the  first  of  1852.  It  appears  that  the 
school  was  really  a  private  enterprise  of  the  Taylor  family,  but  was 
at  that  time  aspiring  to  a  higher  life. 

From  a  private  letter  written  by  G.  W.  Minims,  of  Utica,  a  wor- 
thy Baptist  of  a  long  life  of  great  usefulness,  we  make  the  following 
((notation :  "  Mrs.  \V.  H.  Taylor  had  a  female  school  here  about  that 
time,  (1851),  in  fact,  it  had  existed  years  before  that  time,  but  had 
not  existed  continuously.  *  »  •  Rev.  VV.  H.  Taylor  was  at  that  time 
associated  with  the  school  as  principal <jr  president." 

W.  H.  Taylor  was  for  many  years  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church 
in  Utica.  He  was  a  man  of  learning  and  considerable  ability.  His 
connection  with  the  church  began  about  1840,  and  must  have  con- 
tinued for  nearly  fifteen  years.  Mrs.  Taylor  had  a  girl  school  for 
most  <}f  the  time  they  resided  in  Utica. 


HISTORY     OF     MISST«;cTriM     BAPTISTS  1271 

YALOBUSHA   FEMALE   LXSTITUTE. 

Perhaps  no  female  school  in  the  State  has  received  more  favors 
than  did  the  Yalobusha  Female  Institute  at  Grenada.  It  was  a 
school  of  fortunes  and  misfortunes.  It  was  established  in  the  town 
of  Grenada  in  1851,  and  was  under  the  control  of  the  Yalobusha 
Association.  That  body  was  then,  and  until  the  Civil  War,  strong 
in  men  and  resources. 

A  gentleman  by  the  name  of  Ball,  of  Kentucky,  was  elected  the 
first  principal  of  the  institution.  G.  H.  Martin,  then  pastor  of  the 
church  in  Grenada,  was  sent  to  conduct  the  pnncipal-elcct  to  Gre- 
nada. Upon  his  arrival  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  he  learned  that 
Professor  Ball  had  taken  charge  of  a  school  in  Kentucky.  The  dis- 
appointed messenger  went  to  the  bookstore  of  Graves  &  Shankland, 
the  Baptist  headquarters  in  Nashville,  for  advice.  He  ^vas  informed 
that  thei'e  was  a  young  man  in  the  country,  at  Enon  church,  that 
was  capable  and  might  be  hjid.  G.  H.  Martin  wont  in  search  of  hinu 
That  young  man  was  \V.  S.  Welib. 

Dr.  \V.  S.  Webb  had  this  to  say  of  his  coming  to  Mississip]3i  r 
"When  Martin  called  upon  me  at  my  boarding  place,  I  had  just  sat 
down  to  my  table,  with  pen,  ink  and  paper  before  me,  to  accept  the 
call  of  the  Franklin  church  (Tennessee).  *  *  *  Martin  came  out  to 
.see  me,  and  we  talked  and  talked  for  twenty-four  hours,  and  ended 
in  my  consenting  to  return  with  him." 

We  quote  from  Dr.  Webb's  letter  further:  "On  Friday  Ijcfore  the 
fourth  Sunday  in  September,  1851,  I  and  my  wife  rode  into  Grenada 
about  sunrise  on  an  old-fashioned  stage-coach  to  the  tooting  of  the 
driver's  horn,  and  the  crowing  of  the  cocks  of  the  town.  One  might 
have  thought  from  the  noise  made  that  a  personage  of  great  import- 
ance had  come  to  town,  but  it  was  only  the  first  principal  of  the 
Yalobusha  Female  Institute  on  his  way  from  Nashville,  Tennessee, 
with  his  wife,  to  his  future  home  in  Mississippi.  On  Saturday  night 
the  people  were  called  together  in  the  Baptist  church  of  the  town, 
and  then  and  there,  I  delivered  my  first  inaugural  as  president  of  a 
college." 

It  appears  from  the  first  ([notations  that  the  first  principal-elect 
of  the  Institute  was  Prof  Ball,  but  de  facto,  W.  S.  Webb. 

In  the  fall  of  1851,  Dr.  W   S.  Webb  became  its  president.     He  had 

charge  of  the  Institute  continuously  through  the  session  of  1856-57. 

It  was  while   the   school  was   under  his  management   that  the  large 

t  hree-story    brick    building,  now   standing,  was  erected.     Its   cost  is 


1272  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS 

reputed  at  $32,000.  It  required  much  sacrifice  on  the  part  of  the 
patrons  of  the  Institute,  and  much  anxious  care  from  the  president. 
The  buikling  was  nearing  completion  in  1856;  but  a  large  debt  had 
•accrued,  and  it  was  necessary-  to  put  a  financial  agent  in  the  field  to 
collect  the  needed  money.  They  were  granted  indulgence  on  a  part 
of  the  debt. 

In  the  fall  of  1857,  Prof  George  C.  Granberry  was  presiding  over 
the  institution.  In  1858,  the  college  building  was  complete  and  pos- 
sessed of  the  necessar\'  school  appointments.  This  was  welcome 
news  to  the  struggling  association.  But  the'  sweet  had  its  bitter; 
the  school  still  had  a  debt  hanging  over  it.  At  the  meeting  of  the 
Yahjbusha  Association  in  1858,  a  Board  of  Trustees,  consisting  of 
forty-nine  nieml)ers,  was  appointed.  A  collection  was  taken,  amount- 
ing to  $218.50. 

In  the  year  1859,  George  C.  Granberrv  still  president,  the  Board 
of  Trustees  were  in  a  state  of  exhilaration.  Nothing  was  said  of 
debt.  The  school  was  in  a  flourishing  condition,  having  matricu- 
lated 127  students  the  previous  session.  Prof.  Granberry  leased  the 
school  property  for  an  indefinite  period  of  time.  Tiiis  happj-  state  of 
the  affairs  of  the  school  was  terminated  b_v  the  distracting  and  con- 
flicting cares  of  the  Civil  War,  the  ruthless  destroyer  of  nearly  all  of 
our  institutions  of  learning. 

After  the  Civil  War,  the  Institute  failed  to  regain  its  former  vital- 
ity. Indebtedness  had  accrued,  and  the  school  property  badly  neg^ 
lected.  The  namj  of  the  school  was  changed  to  the  Emma  Mercer 
Institute,  in  honcjr  of  a  lady  w^ho  had  aided  the  institution  with  a 
pecuniary  grant.  But  in  1867,  the  school  was  no  longer  the  prop- 
erty of  the  Yalobusha  Association;  it  had  been  sold  to  satisfy-  claims 
against  it.  The  property  was  bought  by  George  W.  Ragsdale.  The 
school  was  then  tinder  the  lease  and  superintendence  of  Mrs.  Emma 
Hoi  com  be. 

In  1872,  the  Baptist  State  Convention,  on  motion  of  W. 'S.Webb, 
appointed  a  committee  tc  confer  with  Mrs.  Holcombe  as  to  redeem- 
ing the  school  property.  The  committee  consisted  of  M.  F.  Martin, 
A.  H.  Booth,  T.  J.  Sims,  and  W.  H.  Hardv-  Airs  Emma  Holcombe 
had  an  equity  of  redemption  on  the  property,  then  valued  at  $20,000. 
She  was  endeavoring  to  hold  the  property  for  the  use  of  Baptists. 
Her  proposition  was  to  give  the  Convention  an  interest  in  th.;  prop- 
erty to  the  amount  she  could  raise  by  collections,  in  and  out  of  the 
State,  hold  iis  her  share  what  she  personally  put  into  the  fund  for 
its  redemption.  It  was  agreed  to  arm  her  with  credentials  from  the 
CfMivention  under  the  necessary  stipalations. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1273 

In  1874,  Mrs.  Hole  )  ti'ia  presented  a  report  of  her  actions  as 
agent  for  the  school,  and  with  it  her  resignation.  Her  scheme  had 
failed.  She  proposed  to  turn  over  the  mone3^  she  had^ collected  to 
the  Convention  for  the  uses  of  Mississippi  College.  H;r  resignation 
was  received,  but  her  order  for  the  money  she  had  on  hand,  $177.00 , 
returned  to  her. 

That  was  the  final  struggle  for  the  redemption  of  the  school 
property.  It  was  later  purchased  by  the  Methodists,  and  has  been 
used  by  them  since  its  purchase  as  college  property. 


OKOLON.\  FEMALE  COLLEGE. 

The  Okolona  Female  College  was  founded  in  1856,  forty-six 
years  ago.  Its  first  president  was  Rev.'  A.  C.  Allen,  who  served  well 
and  faithfully  for  seven  years,  putting  the  institution  on  the  high 
plane  which  it  has  kept  during  its  long  and  honorable  histor3'.  Then, 
Professor  McCurdy  was  president  for  three  years.  He  was  followed 
b3'  Professor  Scott,  who  served  for  one  3'ear.  Next,  Mrs.  Brettney 
was  principal  for  two  years.  Then,  Prof.  A.  H.  Conkey  was  presi- 
dent for  two  3'ears,  followed  b}'  Professor  Jones,  who  also  served 
two  years.  Professor  Baird  succeeded  Professor  Jones  and  likewise 
served  two  years.  The  next  president  was  Professor  Hadle}',  who 
served  one  year.  He  was  followed  b\' Judge  J.  J.  Deavenport,  who 
served  one  \'ear.  Then,  again,  Mrs.  Brettney  served  as  principal  for 
one  3'^ear.  In  1876,  Prof.  W.  V.  Frierson,  now  pastor  of  the  Presbv- 
terian  church  in  Tupelo,  was  chosen  president  and  served  two  \-ears. 
Under  his  administration,  the  college  achieved  great  success.  Next, 
Prof.  J.  G.  Deupree  was  president  for  four  years,  and  his  assistants 
were  Mrs.  N.  D.  Deupree,  Mrs.  Hester  Baskin,  Prof.  Ed.  Gardner, 
Miss  Mar3'Fairess,  Miss  Agness  Moore,  and  AlissKate  Bodenhamer. 
Under  this  administration,  the  college  reached  its  high-water  mark 
of  efficienc3'  and  usefulness.  Patronage  was  drawn  from  many  coun- 
ties, and  some  of  the  best  women  of  the  State  to-day  delight  to  re- 
member Okolona  Female  College  as  their  Alma  Mater,  having 
received  their  diplomas  at  the  hands  of  Dr.  Deupree,  afterwards  for 
twelve  years  or  more  Professor  of  Mathemathics  in  Mississippi  Col- 
lege and  Southwestern  Baptist  University,  and  now  Professor  of 
Pedagog3'  in  our  State  University.  It  should  be  mentioned  in  this 
connection  that  Miss  Kate  Bodenhamer  has  been  connected  with  the 
school  from   that  date  until  now,  and  bv  her  earnest   and   conscien- 


I 


1274  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

tious  work  has  contributed  greatly  to  the  educational  interests  of 
Okolona.  She  is  the  sister  of  Hon.  W.  A.  Bodenhamer,  who  has  been 
the  worthy  mayor  of  Okolona  for  a  third  of  a  century  and  who 
seems  destined  to  serve  indefinitely  in  that  exalted  capacity,  for  he  is 
one  mayor  under  whom  prohibition  does  absolutely  prohiliit. 

Prof.  W.  H.  Kimbrough  succeeded  Dr.  Deupree  as  president,  and 
served  for  three  years.  He  was  followed  by  Professor  Magruder, 
Avho  served  for  one  year.  Then,  Okolona  becoming  a  separate  school 
district,  the  college  was  converted  into  a  graded  school  for  both 
sexes. 

This  sclujol  has  received  this  notice,  not  because  it  has  in  all  its 
existence  been  a  Baptist  institution,  but  as  it  was  so  warmh-  and 
repeatedly  commended  by  the  Aberdeen  Association  while  Dr.  Deu- 
pree had  charge  of  it.  The  school  was  highly  useful,  Jind  deserves  a 
place  in  our  history. 


.MACOX    FEMALE   SEMINARY. 

The  first  sessionof  this  institution  was  held  in  the  scholastic  year 
ofliS65-66.  It  was  located  in  Macon,  Miss.,  one  of  the  best  and 
most  conservative  towns  in  East  Mississippi.  It  had  a  long  and 
useful  career.  Its  principal,  Jesse  H.  Buck,  is  a  polished,  cultured 
gentleman,  and  a  teacher  of  acknowledged  ability.  The  institution 
Avas  under  his  management  all  the  while,  except  in  1S7(>,  when  Miss 
Alary  J.  Callaway  had  charge  of  it. 

The  first  graduating  class  of  the  school  was  in  18()9,  when  two 
young  ladies  were  granted  diplomas.  At  the  close  of  each  session  to 
1881,. except  in  1871,  1876  and  1877,  there  was  a  class  to  he  gradu- 
ated. The  largest  graduating  class  was  in  1874,  when  six  "sweet-girl 
gradutites"  received  their  parchments  tied  in  a  blue  ribbon.  F'roni 
1869  to  1880,  twenty-nine  graduates  went  forth  from  the  school. 

In  1879-80,  there  were  ninety-nine  pupils  ih  the  literary  depart- 
iTient ;  there  was  an  art  class  of  twenty-seven,  a  music  class  of  eight- 
een, and  a  French  class  of  eight.  In  the  course  of  study  the  young 
ladies  studied  Latin,  reading  Caesar,  Virgil  and  Horace;  read  the 
New  Testament  in  (^reek,  and  took  extended  studies  in  German  and 
French. 

The  information  at  hand  as  to  the  Seminary  does  not  extend 
beyond  1880.  At  that  date  Dr.  T.  G.  Sellers  had  a  school  at  Stark- 
Tillc,  and  Dr.  L.  M.  Stone  opened  his   college  in  Shucjualak  in  the  fall 


i 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1275 

of  1880.     The  churches  at  Starkville,  Macon,  and  Shiuinalak  arc  all 
in  the  Columbus  Association. 

Professor  Buck  did  not  advertise  his  school  largely,  but  received 
a  liberal  patronage  from  Macon  and  Noxubee  county,  especially. 
Seventeen  of  the  graduates  to  1880  were  from  Macon,  and  four  from 
Noxubee  county.  There  is  no  calculating  the  good  done  a  town  by 
such  a  school. 

EAST   MISSISSIPPI   FEMALE   COLLEGE. 

This  instituti(in  of  learning  was  at  Aberdeen.  In  1866,  it  was 
commended  in  a  report  read  before  the  Aberdeen  Association.  A.  W. 
Chambliss  was  in  charge  of  the  school.  It  was  founded  by  the  Bap- 
tists of  Aberdeen.  In  1867,  it  was  said  to  be  enjoying  continued 
prosperity.  The  session  of  1867-68  oj^ened  with  twice  the  number 
of  pupils  of  the  same  date  the  year  previous. 

In  1S67,  these  two  resolutions  were  passed  l)y  the  Al)erdeen  As- 
sociation : 

"fiesolved.  That  the  Association  adopt  the  college,  and  cherish  it 
as  a  noble  exponent  of  the  liberality  and  energy  of  our  brethren  in 
Aberdeen,  and,  by  every  means  in  our  power,  we  will  seek  its  pros- 
perity. 

"Resolved,  That  we  invite  from  our  brethren  in  .\berdeen  iin 
aunucil  report  at  our  Association  of  the  progress  jind  prosperity  of 
East  Mississippi  Female  College." 

Strange  to  say,  we  find  no  further  mention  of  this  school  in  the 
Minutes  of  the  Aberdeen  Association,  and  no  other  information  jis  to 
its  future  is  at  hand.  It  is  easier  to  start  a  female  school  than  to 
give  it  the  needed  support  and  patronage  to  assure  its  perpetuity. 

In  1877,  there  was  a  female  scho(jl  in  Aberdeen  cjilled  "The 
Aberdeen  Female  College."  Prof.  M.  E.  Bacon  was  president  of  it. 
The  school  received  special  mention  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Aberdeen 
Association  that  year.  It  was  commended  again  in  1878,  along 
with  two  other  female  schools.  Its  existence  was  transient,  as  was 
the  life  (;f  many  of  our  projected  female  schof)ls. 


MERIDIAN.  FEMALE   COLLEGE. 

Meridian,  in  1865,  as  now,  had  in  it  a  number  of  men  of  large 
public  spirit.  The  idea  of  the  Soldier's  Orphanage  at  Lauderdale 
■was  conceived  in  the  minds  of  men  in  Meridian. 


1276  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  Meridian  Female  College  began  exercises  in  1865.  The 
school  1)uilding  stood  on  the  ground  now  ornamented  by  the  beauti- 
ful pastor's  home  of  the  First  Baptist  church  of  Meridian.  The 
boarding  house  was  on  the  lot  adjacent  to  the  west. 

The  boarding  house  of  the  college  was  built  under  the  direction 
of  Prof.  J.  B.  Hamberlin  at  a  cost  of  $4,000.  On  the  spot  where  it 
stood  is  now  a  large  residence  belonging  to  G.  A.  Aden. 

The  school  building  was  the  building  of  the  academy  at  old 
Marion,  which  was  about  eight  miles  from  Meridian.  It  cost  the 
Meridian  College  in  1865  $3,000.00  in  Confederate  money,  and  it 
cost  $1,500.00  to  have  it  constructed  in  Meridian. 

The  Meridian  Female  College  was  started  going  In- J.  B.  Ham- 
berlin, who  was  its  first  principal.  He  had  control  of  the  school 
for  seven  years,  or  until  1872.  In  the  fall  of  that  year.  Prof.  L.  M. 
Stone  became  president,  who  successfully  managed  its  affairs  until 
1877.  He  was  succeeded  by  C.  M.  Gordon,  who  presided  over  the 
institution  until  June  1880.  In  1880,  M.  T.  Martin  assumed  its 
control.  He  was  in  charge  one  or  two  years,  and  gave  place  to 
Prof.  T.  A.  Moore,  who  had  been  assisting  him.  Miss  Mannie  Woods, 
sister  of  Charles  Woods  of  Meridian,  now  Mrs.  Phillips,  succeeded  T. 
A.  Moore,  and  was  last  in  the  control  of  the  Aleridian  Female  College. 
The  College  for  the  greater  part  of  its  existence  enjoyed  a  good 
patronage.  The  citizens  of  Meridian  took  great  interest  in  it,  and 
gave  it  a  liberal  patronage.  Among  its  pupils  were:  Mrs.  Dollie 
Garner  Spinks,  wife  of  Dr.  E.  E.  Spinks,  who  is  at  present  the  mayor 
of  Meridian.  Also  Mrs.  Minnie  Broach,  Mrs.  Ella  Hurlbutt  Woods, 
and  Mrs.  Ma.ttie  Lott. 

Among  the  best  friends  of  the  College  were:  J.  K.  Phillips,  who 
was  President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  through  the  existence  of  the 
school ;  J.  G.  Flournoy  for  a  long  time  Secretar\^  of  the  Board,  and 
was  succeeded  by  L.  A.  Duncan,  a  friend  to  all  ennobling  enterprises. 
The  Meridian  Female  College  is  among  the  departed  female 
schools  of  the  State.  That  so  nianj'  female  schools  sprang  up  in  Mis- 
sissippi before  the  Civil  War,  though  many  of  them  were  ephemeral, 
was  a  compliment  to  the  courtliness  and  educational  spirit  of  their 
projectors.  All  of  the  oaks  that  spring  from  the  acorns  do  not  reach 
their  fiftieth  years,  nor  do  all  the  children  born  live  to  their  majority. 
-Schools  have  life,  live  out  their  da}'  and  die,  but  they  do  good  while 
living,  and  leave  a  thirst  for  education  that  svirvives  them. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1277 

vSTARKVILLE   FEMALE   INSTITUTE. 

In  Foster's  History  of  the  Columbus  Baptist  Association,  we 
find  this  language:  "'Elder  Sellers  has  been  a  laborious  and  success- 
ful educator.  *  *  *  The  citizens  of  Stark  ville,  in  1870,  determined 
to  establish  a  female  institute,  and  elected  him  to  the  presidency  of 
the  new  enterprise."  From  this  quotation  two  things  areapparent, 
the  Starkville  Female  Institute  was  established  in  1870  and  by  the 
citizens  of  Starkville.  The  school  was  not  the  projection  of  any  Bap- 
tist organization. 

The  school  was  only  once  recommended  by  the  Columbus  Asso- 
ciation to  the  churches  composing  the  body.  At  the  meeting  of  1S76 
this  resolution  was  adopted: 

"Resolved,  That  this  body  takes  great  pleasure  in  recommend- 
ing the  Starkville  Female  Institute  to  the  favorable  consideration  of 
the  members  thereof,  and  the  country  atlarge,as  well  worthy  of  gen. 
cral  patronage." 

Dr.  T.  G.  Sellers  was,  from  first  to  last,  the  principal  of  the  insti- 
tution. He  was  graduated  from  Union  University'  of  Murfreesboro, 
Tenn.,  and  was  distinguished  as- well  as  an  educator  as  a  preacher 
and  pastor.  His  facultj'  was  always^^ood,  and  the  management  of 
pupils  orderU'.  No  severe  adverse  criticism  was  ever  jiassed  upon 
his  administration  of  affairs. 

The  college  building  was  ample  and  sufficient  for  ail  demands. 
It  was  a  large  frame  building  two  stories  high,  with  the  study  hall 
and  recitation  rooms  adjacent.  It  was  well  located  in  a  desirable 
part  of  the  town. 

Large  patronage  to  the  school  was  not  sought,  yet  the  Institute 
was  well  supported.  In  the  fall  of  1878,  eightj'  students  were  in  at- 
tendance early  in  the  session  "with  a  daily  increase."  For  a  while 
V.  H.  Nelson  aided  in  securing  patronage.  He  induced  quite  a  num- 
ber of  young  ladies  from  the  Delta  to  attend  the  school.  Miss  Hallie 
Nelson,  his  oldest  daughter,  is  a  graduate  of  the  institution. 

On  account  of  a  change  of  the  general  educational  workof  Stark- 
Yille,  it  was  deemed  best  b}'  Dr.  Sellers  to  close  the  institution  in 
1892.  The  school  had  done  good  substantial  educational  work  for 
more  than  twenty  vears.  In  1892  the  property  was  sold  by  the 
principal  to  the  citj-  authorities.  Dr.  vSellers  returned  to  the  pastor- 
ate in  Starkville  and  in  that  great  work  closed  his  useful  life  March 
11,  1899. 


1278  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

•    BLUE   MOUNTAIN  COLLEGE. 

BY     \V.     T.     LOWEKY. 

This  famous  institution  for  girls  and  young  women  now  has  an 
annual  enrollment  of  more  than  three  hundred  students,  more  than 
two  hundred  and  fifty  of  whom  being  boarding  students.  The  insti- 
tution is  and  ought  to  be  inseparably  connected  in  the  minds  of  the 
people  with  its  noble  founder,  the  late  lamented  General  M.  P.  Low- 
rey.  The  institution  is  now  (December,  1902),  in  the  30th  year  of 
its  history.  It  has  had  three  presidents,  all  Lowreys.  General  M. 
P.  Lowrey  was  president  from  1873  to  1885,  his  eldest  son.  Rev.  W. 
T.  Lowrey,  D.  D.,  from  1885  to  1889,  and  another  son,  B.  G.  Low- 
rey, M.  A.,  since  1898.  Moreover,  the  institution  has  had  the  same 
lady  principal  from  the  opening  day  of  its  first  session  until  now, 
Mrs.  Alodena  Lowre^'  Berry,  the  eldest  daughter  of  the  founder.  To 
her  very  much  of  the  success  of  the  institution  is  due.  After  this 
brief  statement  let  us  trace  the  history  of  the  institution  more  min- 
utely. 

When  the  Cival  War  l)egan  Rev.  Mark  Perrin  Lowrey  was  a  Bap- 
tist preacher,  32  yeai's  old,  located  at  Kossuth,  Tishomingo  (now 
Alcorn)  county,  Mississippi ;  and  was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  churches 
at  Kossuth  and  Ripley,  Miss.  He  was  recognized  by  those  who 
knew  him  as  a  3'oung  man  of  unusual  good  sense  and  of  unquestioned 
integrity  and  sincerity.  He  entered  the  armA' as  captain  of  a  com- 
pany composed  mostly  of  his  church  members  and  neighbors,  he 
quickly  rose  to  the  position  of  Colonel  of  the  32nd  Mississippi  Regi- 
ment and  then  to  that  of  Brigadier  General,  having  charge  of  Low- 
re\'"s  Brigade  in  Cleborne's  Division  in  the  Army  ot  Tennessee. 

When  the  war  closed  General  Lowrey  had  little  mone3%  a- big 
reputation  and  a  big  family.  Two  questions  presented  themselves : 
First,  how  can  I  build  up  my  down-trodden  country  ?  Second,  how 
can  I  educate  my  children  ?  Within  a  few  3'ears  a  plan  had  been 
shaped.  He  decided  to  found  and  build  up  a  school  for  girls.  He 
took  time  to  get  ready.  A  location  must  be  found,  his  two  oldest 
daughters  must  be  prepared  to  assist  in  the  enterprise,  etc.  In  1869 
he  secured  possession  of  the  Brougher  Springs,  the  old  ante  bellum 
Brougher  residence  and  a  half  section  of  land  surrounding  them. 
This  charming  location  was  in  Tippah  county,  six  and  a  half  miles 
southwest  from  Ripley,  the  county  seat.  There  are  two  high,  large 
hills  whose  peaks  are  one  mile  apart,  between  these  there  is  a  narrow 
valley.     The   hill  west  from  the  valley-  is  "  Blue  Mountain."     From 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1279 

the  viillcy  there  is  a  gradual  slope  for  a  hundred  yards  and  then  a 
steep  asecnt.  At  the  foot  of  this  steep  ascent  there  burst  forth  a 
number  of  springs  of  the  purest  freestone  water.  The  whole  group 
discharge  probably  100  gallons  a  minute.  The  old  Brougher  resi- 
dence was  located  in  a  beautiful  hickory  grove  about  one  hundred 
yards  from  the  boldest  of  these  springs. 

In  1873,  Gen.  Lowrey  built  near  the  residence  n  neat  little  framed 
school  house  36x24  feet,  and  in  Septemljer  he  and  his  two  daughters, 
Misses  Modena  and  Mai-garet  opened  a  school  under  the  name  of 
Blue  Mountain  Female  Institute.  A  few  A-ears  later  the  word  "Col- 
lege" was  substituted  for  Institute.  The  first  session's  enrollment 
was  50  students,  27  of  them  being  boarding  students.  When  the 
school  opened  there  was  no  railroad  and  no  town,  the  nearest  rail- 
road point  being  Ripley,  six  and  a  half  miles  away.  Gen.  Lowrey, 
however,  had  secured  a  postoffice  with  dailv  mail  and  had  induced  a 
friend  to  move  in  and  open  a  general  store;  he  had  Jilso  induced  a 
good  physician  to  move  to  the  community.  Twenty-seven  boarding 
students  the  first  session,  at  that  period  in  the  history  of  North  Mis- 
sissippi, in  a  school  opened  at  a  country  residence,  six  miles  from  the 
railroad,  was  remarkable.  The  attendance  was  due  doubtless  chiefly 
to  two  causes:  First,  Gen.  Lowrey's  large  popularity  as  soldier, 
citizen  and  preacher.  Second,  the  popularity  and  extensive  acquaint- 
ance of  his  two  daughters.  They  had  both  graduated  at  Dr.  Slack's 
female  seminai^y,  at  Pontotoc,  and  Miss  Modena  had  taught  there 
for  two  years.  From  the  day  the  school  opened  success  has  been 
written  on  every  page  of  the  historj- of  the  institution.  General  Low- 
rey was  president  11  years.  From  the  start  the  patronage  steadily 
increased;  in  fact,  it  increased  as  rapidly  as  provisions  could  be  made 
for  the  care  and  instruction  of  pupils. 

In  1896,  three  years  after  the  school  opened  its  first  session.  Miss 
Modena  Lowrey,  the  lady  principal,  was  united  in  marriage  to  Rev. 
W.  E.  Berr^-^,  a  graduate  of  Mississippi  College,  who  at  that  time  be- 
came connected  with  the  school  as  one  of  the  proprietors  and  man- 
agers and  as  professor  of  Greek  and  Latin.  Prof  Berry  has  been 
connected  with  the  institution  for  27  years,  and  his  wise  counsel, 
energetic  work  and  consistent  life  have  been  of  incalculable  value. 

In  February  1885,  Gen.  Lowrey  dropped  dead  in  the  railroad 
ticket  office  at  Middleton,  Tenn.  He  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son, 
Rev.  W.  T.  Lowrey,  who  was  a  graduate  of  Mississippi  College  and 
who  had  been  for  3^2  years  a  student  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Theo- 
logical Seminary  at  Louisville,    Ky.     The  institution  continued  to 


1280  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

fcruw.  Ill  18S9  Prof.  B.  G.  Lowrey  entered  the  institution  as  one  ot 
the  proprietors  and  as  professor  of  English.  He  had  just  returned 
from  Tulane  University,  New  Orleans,  where  he  had  taken  a  special 
coiirse  in  English  after  graduating  from  Mississippi  College  and 
teaching  a  year  at  Pittsboro,  Miss. 

In  1893,  T.  C.  Lowrey  became  one  of  the  proprietors  and  took 
the  position  of  Secretary'  and  Treasurer.  He  was  a  twin  brother  to 
Prof.  B.  G.  Lowrey,  had  graduated  in  the  same  class  with  him  at 
Alississippi  College  and  had  responsible  business  positions  in  Mem- 
phis, Tenn.,  Atlanta,  Ga.,  and  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

In  1898,  Dr.  W.  T.  Lowrey  accepted  the  presidency  of  Mississippi 
College  at  Clinton  and  was  succeeded  in  the  presidency  at  Blue 
Mountain  by  Prof.  B.  G.  Lowrey. 

On  December  1st,  1898,  occurred  the  death  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Holmes 
Lowrey,  the  honored  widow  ot  Gen.  M.  P.  Lowrej'.  Probably  no 
other  person  living  or  dead  deserves  more  credit  for  the  great  work 
at  Blue  Mountain  than  this  wise  and  Godly  woman.  For  25  years 
she  had  stood  at  the  head  of  the  boarding  department  and  her  wise 
counsels  had  always  had  weight  in  the  management  of  the  institu- 
tion. She  was  succeeded  in  her  position  by  her  widowed  daughter, 
Mrs.  L.  L.  Ray,  who  has  proved  most  worthy  of  her  charge. 

In  the  spring  of  1899  the  institution  passed  through  the  fire. 
Two  buildings  were  burned,  one  being  the  old  Brougher  residence 
and  another  being  a  splendid  new  domitory  of  34  rooms.  These 
buildings  have  been  replaced  b}'  two  large  brick  structures  and  the 
"fiery  trials"  have  left  the  institution  better  equipped  than  ever 
before.  It  is  said  to  be  now  the  most  largeh-  patronized  private 
female  seminar}'  in  the  entire  South.  With  more  than  300  students, 
more  than  25  officers  and  teachers,  thousands  of  former  students 
scattered  throughout  the  country  and  a  history  running  through  30 
years  of  unbroken  prosperit}',  there  are  surely  Ijright  prospects  ot 
magnificent  future  work. 


LEA  FEMALE  COLLEGE. 

BY  CHARLES  H.   OTKl.M. 

Lea  Female  College  was  established  in  the  fall  of  1877,  and  char- 
tered in  October  of  this  year.  It  was  named  in  honor  of  the  Lea 
family,  bec.'.use  two  of  its  lady  members  contributed  a  considerable 
sum  of  mone}',  $1,750,  for  the  purchase  of  the  old  Academy  property 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1281 

in  the  town  ot  Summit,  in  the  county  of  Pike,  Mississippi.  About 
$1,500  Avas  donated  b\-  friends  for  the  same  object.  $1,000  of  the 
last  named  sum,  was  given  by  a  Presbyterian  lady. 

The  property  consisted  of  two  squares  of  ground  and  a  two-story 
slate-covered  residence,  constructed  originall3''  for  a  school,  some 
eighteen  years  before  the  time  I  became  the  owner.  The  main  struc- 
ture, and  an  old  dillapidated  building  used  as  a  kitchen,  and  about 
twenty-twt>  hundred  feet  of  fencing,  were  very  much  out  of  repair. 
The  purchase  price  of  the  property,  the  cost  of  painting  and  replas- 
tering  the  main  building,  the  cost  of  a  new  fence  and  other  improve- 
ments, involved  me  in  an  expenditure  of  over  five  thousand  dollars. 
In  a  few  A-ears,  I  added  a  school  building  eighty  bj'  forty-two  feet,  a 
main  building  containing  three  rooms,  a  dining-hall  thirt3''  by  forty 
feet,  and  a  small  house  used  for  laundry  purposes,  the  improvements 
costing  some  twenty-five  hundred  dollars.  To  meet  these  heavy  ob- 
ligations, I  sold  mj'  property-  in  the  sviburbs  of  Summit,  twenty-three 
acres,  with  a  six-room  residence,  besides  a  dining-room  and  kitchen, 
and  necessary-  outbuil'dings  at  about  one-fifth  the  co.st  price,  and  ap- 
plied it  to  the  paA-ment  of  m^'  debts.  A  small  personal  inheritance  of 
niA'  father's  estate,  and  my  wife's  share  of  her  father's  property,  were 
used  for  the  same  purpose. 

The  school  was  small  the  first  j'car — about  forty  pupils.  With 
the  aid  of  one  teacher  and  the  service  of  a  music  teacher,  given  in  part 
in  the  literary  department,  we  were  able  to  instruct  the  classes. 
There  was  an  increase  in  numbers  the  second  session.  The  third  or 
fourth  month  of  the  third  session  we  were  able  to  move  into  the  new 
school  building.  It  was  about  this  time,  that  by  the  advice  of  Judge 
Hiram  Cassid\',  Sr.,  I  admitted  pupils,  stud3-ing  the  text-books  of 
the  public  school  course,  under  the  provisions  of  a  special  high  school 
law.  The  enrollment  was  largely-  increased,  and  this  necessitated 
additional  school  furniture  and  other  appliances.  During  the  four 
months  that  these  pupils,  admitted  under  the  law  mentioned,  were 
instructed  b\'  mj-  teachers  and  myself,  not  a  dollar  of  revenue  was 
paid  b}'  them  as  individuals. 

The  superintendents  of  the  counties  of  Amite  and  Franklin,  al- 
lowed the  accounts  for  the  pupils  from  their  counties.  The  whole 
sum  for  four  months  did  not  exceed  ten  dollars. 

Nearh'  all  these  pupils  were  from  Pike  county,  the  majority  from 
Summit.  The  superintendent  of  the  public  schools  for  Pike  county 
refused  to  recognize  this  high  school  law.  It  was  tested  in  the  Cir- 
cuit Court  and  was  decided  to  be  unconstitutional,  and  this  decision 
was  aflirmed  by  the  Supreme  Court. 


1282  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

I  was  rcsponsil^lc  to  in_v  teachers  for  their  salary.  This  with 
other  expenses  incurred  involved  me  in  a  loss  of  over  six  hundred 
dollars.  I  borrowed  five  hundred  dollars  at  ten  per  cent,  interest  to 
pay  my  teachers.  By  the  end  of  the  third  session  my  expenses  were 
larjtjely  in  excess  of  the  income. 

The  fourth  session  was  quite  an  improvement  in  the  finances  of 
the  college.  There  was  a  gain  of  .seven  dollars  over  all  expenses. 
Six  distinct  expense  accounts  were   kept. 

Financialh-,  there  was  no  success  in  the  undertaking.  It  was  a 
hard  struggle  from  1877  to  1894— seventeen  years,  during  which  I 
devoted  faithfully  and  conscientiously,  seven  hours  a  day  to  the 
work  of  instruction  This  time  belonged  to  the  pupils,  and  no  other 
work  was  allowed  to  interfere  with  the  duties  of  the  school  room. 

The  business  affairs  of  the  institution,  posting  books,  correspond- 
ence, the  keeping  of  records,  and  books  of  three  fratei'nal  orders,  the 
weeklv  and  monthly  posting  of  the  books  of  three  mercantile  firms 
during  various  years  of  this  period,  and  for  four  years,  the  keeping 
of  the  books  of  the  South  Mississippi  Fair  Association— all  received 
attention  after  school  hours.  I  taught  over  a  hundred  pupils  the 
science  of  accounts;  but  this  extra  work  was  given  to  night  classes, 
and  during  summer  months  in  vacation. 

During  .seventeen  years,  the  average  annual  roll  of  Lea  Female 
College  was  from  sixty  to  seventy  pupils;  boarders  from  seven  to 
fifteen.  The  music  department  was  as  small  as  ten  and  as  high  as 
thirty.  Most  of  the  time  there  were  from  three  to  five  assistant 
teachers  in  the  literar}'  department,  and  one  music  teacher. 

In  seventeen  yejirs,  sixty-eight  young  ladies  were  graduated  from 
this  institution.  In  addition  to  a  written  examination  in  the  studies 
of  the  senior  class,  no  young  lad3'  was  awarded  a  diploma  that  did 
not  pass  a  creditable  examination  on  five  hundred  selected  words  in 
spelling,  on  the  fundamental  principles  of  English  grammar,  and  on 
about  one  dozen  problems  in  arithmetic,  covering  practical  matters 
m  every-day  life.  Ever3-  senior  wrote  about  twenty  essays  during 
the  session,  each  jjaper  containing  from  five  hundred  to  one  thousand 
words. 

The  character  of  the  work  done  may  be  inferred  in  some  degree 
from  the  studies  in  the  last  two  years  in  the  collegiate  course,  and 
from  the  text-books,  use  for  this  purpose.  In  the  junior  class  were 
taught  Gcnung's  Rhetoric,  Shaw's  English  Literature,  Steel's  Chem- 
istry, Natural  Philosophy,  Peek's  Ganot,  Myer's  General  History, 
Algebra  (Bourdon)  Davies,  or  Wentworth;  Geometr3%  Davies  or 
Wentworth. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1283 

There  were  weekly  lessons  for  both  classes  in  Mental  Arithmetic, 
word  lessons  and  in  Elocution.  Whenever  the  progress  of  these 
classes  enabled  us  to  do  so,  one  or  more  of  Macauley's  Essays  on 
Milton,  Addison.  Warren  Hastings,  or  Tennyson's  "Elaine,"  or 
Goldsmith's  Vicar  of  W^akefield,  Chaucer's  Canterljury  Tales,  Spen- 
cer's Faerie  Queene,  or  Shakespeare's  Hamlet,  were  studied  for  both 
thought  and  expression.  Students  studying  Latin,  read  Cassar, 
Virgil,  Livy,  Cicero,  Sallust  and  Horace. 

Pvipils  of  all  classes  were  encouraged  to  read,  especially  on  Sun- 
day. To  this  end,  a  small  library  was  provided,  and  for  years,  every 
Monday  morning,  the  author  read,  and  the  number  of  pages  read  by 
each,  were  reported  and  placed  on  record.  If  the  plan  served  no 
other  purpose,  the  readers  were  in  company  with  enduring  thought. 

The  first  half  hour,  after  the  opening  of  the  school  on  Monday, 
was  generally  devoted  to  a  "talk"  on  some  practical  subject  con- 
nected with  the  work  of  the  school  room,  such  as  inattention,  how 
to  study,  difficulties  in  mastering  lessons,  order,  using  time  aright, 
faithfulness  and  thoroughness  in  work.  Then,  too,  behavior  and 
character  furnished  numerous  topicsfor  these  Monday  morning  talks 
It  gave  the  opportunity  to  arouse  thought,  and  press  home  to  the 
conscience  of  these  impressible  minds,  earnest  duties  to  be  lovingly 
and  cheerfully  performed. 

A  Christian  atmosphere  pervaded  the  institution..  Duty  to  God, 
to  self,  to  our  neighbor  was  taught  as  the  supreme  motive  to  direct 
life  to  its  truest  end.  The  hidy  teachers,  were  chosen  for  their  fitness, 
intellectually  and  morally,  and  their  aptness  to  impart  instruction. 
With  two  or  three  exceptions,  they  were  Christian  women,  whose 
example  and  influence  were  refining  and  ennobling.  They  were  re- 
sponsive to  every  service  that  had  in  view  the  intellectual  develop- 
ment or  the  moral  improvement  of  the  pupils. 

Such  was  the  institution.  Had  the  name  by  which  it  was  known 
to  the  public  as  a  college,  to  bj  chosen  now^,  a  more  modest  designji- 
tion  would  be  selected.  The  w  )rk  done,  with  whatever  imperfections 
characterized  it,  \\:is  f-iitliful! v  and  conscientiously  performed.  Some 
of  the  facts  recited  as  substanLi  d  material  in  the  story  of  the  institu- 
tion, may  be  regarded  as  chaff,  lat  are  in  reality,  the  precious  wheat. 
The  aim,  the  lite,  the  studies,  the  character  of  the  teachers;  and  the 
burden,  the  toil  and  the  sacrifices  of  the  principal  in  directing  this 
educational  work  constitute  the  web  and  woof  of  the  seventeen  years 
of  its  life. 


1284  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

DR.   STONE'S  COLLEGES. 

Prof.  L.  M.  Stone  was  reared  and  edutated  in  Alaljama,  his 
Alma  Mater  being  old  Howard  College  at  Marion,  Ala.  His  first 
appearance  in  our  State  as  a  teacher  was  in  his  connection  with 
Meridian  Baptist  Female  College  in  March,  1873.  Rev.  J.  B.  Ham- 
berlin  was  the  owner  and  president  of  the  College,  but  his  health 
failed,  and  Prof  Stone  took  his  place  for  the  time.  He  conducted 
this  College  until  June,  1875,  when  he  was  engaged  by  Dr.  T.  G. 
Sellers  to  join  him  in  the  conduct  of  the  Starkville  Female  Institute. 
At  the  end  of  two  j^ears  Prof  Stone's  connection  with  this  school 
ceased.  He  then  went  to  Gainesville,  Ala.,  to  take  charge  of  a  school 
for  girls. 

In  the  spring  of  1880,  Prof  Stone  returned  to  Mississippi,  hav- 
ing made  arrangements  with  the  citizens  of  Shuqualak  to  open  a 
school  there.  Shuqualak  was  then  a  small  town  on  the  Mobile  and 
Ohio  Railroad,  fifty-two  miles  north  of  Meridian.  He  erected  build- 
ings for  domitory  and  teaching  jjurposes  that  summer,  the  citizens 
making  a  donation  of  $500.00  in  cash  and  one  acre  of  land.  The 
school  was  east  of  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad,  and  south  of  the 
main  street  running  east  and  west.  About  $5,000.00  were  expended 
for  buildings  and  lots,  there  being  three  acres  for  the  l)oarding  de- 
partment, and  one  acre  for  school  houses. 

The  first  session  more  than  sixty  pupils  were  enrolled.  Prof 
Stone's  college  work  at  the  several  places  lie  had  taught  had  shown 
him  a  fine  educator  and  a  (Christian  gentleman.  Although  raised 
and  educated  in  another  State,  and  not  having  the  benefit  of  college 
mates'  influence  and  aid,  he  gradually  gained  patronage  from  differ- 
ent pai-ts  of  the  State,  until  Shucjualak  Female  College  took  front 
rank  with  the  female  schools  of  the  State.  The'  attendance  was 
usually  from  100  to  125  students,  about  half  of  them  being  boarders. 
Buildings  were  added  until  about  $10,000.00  had  been  expended  on 
the  school,  beside  the  equipment  in  the  item  of  apparatus,  pianos, 
library  and  furniture  which  were  very  expensive. 

Nearly  one  hundred  young  ladies  were  graduated  from  Shucjua- 
lah  Female  College,  many  of  whom  now  fill  high  and  responsible 
positions  as  teachers  in  this  and  other  States.  Many  professed  faith 
in  Christ,  and  were  baptized  by  Dr.  Stone,  during  the  diftereiil  ses- 
sions of  the  college.  In  fact,  seldom  did  a  young  lady  leave  the  col- 
lege, who  had  not  only  professed  Christianity,  but  was  possessed  of 
modest  Christian  virtues. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1285 

In  1893,  after  thirteen  prosperous  and  happ\'  years  with  the 
college  at  Shuqualak,  Dr.  Stone  was  induced  to  move  his  school  to 
Meridian,  as  a  more  central  location.  Buildings  were  erected  three 
miles  from  the  city  on  the  dummy  line.  This  arrangement  was  never 
satisfactory  to  Dr.  Stone.  The  distance  from  the  city  to  the  college 
seriousl3'  militated  against  the  institution.  The  school  was  called 
Stone  College.  Four  and  a  half  years  were  spent  here  under  great 
difficulties  and  embarrassments.  Dr.  Stone  spent  much  of  his  own 
means  here,  and  did  some  of  the  hardest  work  of  his  life.  Under  the 
circumstances,  the  attendance  was  good,  but  the  expenses  were,  in- 
deed, heavy. 

The  dummy  line  being  removed.  Dr.  Stone  returned  to  Shiuiua- 
lak  in  January,  1897,  carr^nng  with  him  fifty-si.x  boarders — all  that 
he  had  at  Meridian,  with  six  of  his  city  day  pupils.  The  remainder 
of  this  session  was  successfully  taught  at  Shuqualak,  and  Prof. 
Stone  felt  located  for  life  on  his  "old  heath."  But  hope,  it  is  said, 
sometimes  smiles  to  deceive.  This  session  closed  with  142  students, 
with  more  than  sixty  boarders  in  the  dormitory. 

On  the  night  of  the  11th  of  June,  the  school  property  was  burned 
to  the  ground.  All  the  appointments  of  the  dormitory  and  school 
w^ere  lost  except  four  "pianos,  beside  private  personal  belongings. 
The  insurance  was  $5,200.00,  which  lacked  muchof  coveringtheloss. 

The  loss  was  so  severe,  and  Dr.  Stone's  health  so badlv impaired, 
he  could  not  be  induced  to  rebuild.  This  was  the  ending  of  the  school 
life  in  our  State  of  one  of  our  best  and  most  laborious  teachers.  The 
results  for  good  in  elevating  homes,  making  lives  happ}',  and  culti- 
vating the  spirit  of  Christian  education,  cannot  be  estimated.  The 
historical  facts  here  given  are  substantialh-  what  the  writer  has  re- 
ceived from  Dr.  Stone.  May  success  attend  him  in  his  present  school 
^vork  in  Louisiana. 


EAST   MISSISSIPPI   COLLEGE. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  General  Association  of  Regular  Baptists-  of 
the  State  of  Mississippi  in  1880,  the  Committee  on  Education,  with 
William  Thigpen,  chairman,  recommended  the  placing  of  a  male  and 
female  .school  of  high  grade  under  their  care  and  control.  They  could 
thus  educate  their  children  at  less  cost.  The  appointment  of  an  edu- 
cational board  of  seven  was  recomm>nd-'d,  who  should  select  a  loca- 
tion for  their  school  "suitable  on  account  of  health,  morals,  and  the 
strength  of  the  communitv,"  as  near  the  centre  of  the  Association  as 


1286  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS, 

possible.  The  Educational  Board  consisted  of  William  Tiiii;peii,  A. 
Gressett,  J.  E.  Brunson,  T.  W.  Graham,  B.  F.  Duke,  I.  I.  Barber,  and 
J.  L.  Hardy. 

This  Board,  or  Standing  Committee,  reported  to  the  Association 
the  following  year:  It  held  its  first  meeting  in  March,  1881.  They 
then  requested  difterent  communities  wishing  such  a  school  to  pre- 
sent inducements  for  the  locating  of  the  institution.  After  consider- 
ing propositions  carefully  and  due  deliberation,  they,  in  April,  located 
the  school  at  Garlandsville,  Jasper  count}-.  Garlandsvillc  is  a  little 
east  of  south  of  Newton,  about  fifteen  or  twenty  miles. 

Prof.  Darling,  of  Atlanta,  Ga.,  was  tendered  the  position  of  prin- 
cipal. The  original  design  was  to  use  the  Baptist  church  as  a  school 
room.  The  appointment  of  a  board  of  trustees  was  recommended 
by  the  Standing  Committee.  The  Board  consisted  of  William  Thig- 
pen,  I.  I.  Barber,  M.  F.  Berry,  D.  E.  Chapman,  J.  L.  Hardy.  AI.  G. 
Turner,  and  C.  B.  Massingale. 

In  the  fall  of  1882,  Prof  J.  W.  Brown  had  charge  of  the  school. 
He  was  said  to  be  "in  everyway  competent  and  worthy."  Within 
the  past  year  a  large  and  commodious  school  house  had  been  trected. 
The  house  was  30  by  50  feet,  and  was  substantially  built. 

But  it  seems  that,  for  some  reason,  they  were  not  satisfied  with 
the  location  of  their  school.  The  session  of  1883-84  was  taught  at 
Sylvarena,  Smith  county.  It  was  thought  to  be  a  better  location 
than  Garlandsville. 

In  1884,  the  prospects  for  the  institution  were  flattering.  It  was 
presided  over  by  Prof.  E.  vS.  Robinson.  It  was  recommended  that 
the  school  be  permanently  located  at  Sylvarena.  The  local  trustees 
had  deeded  the  property  to  the  institution.  The  property  consisted 
of  thirt^'-eight  acres,  schf)ol  buildings,  residence,  etc.  The  infant 
enterprise  was  well  located. 

Prof.  Robinson  resigned  his  position  in  April,  1885,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Prof.  |.  M.  Davis.  Prof  Davis  had  as  his  assistants:  W. 
C.  Anderson  and  F.  D.  Baars.  The  school  was  meeting  with  favor, 
and  was  well  officered. 

The  following  year.  Prof  J.  AI.  Davis  was  still  in  charge  of  the 
school,  then  called  the  East  Mississippi  College.  We  find  this  lan- 
guage in  the  report  on  Education  read  before  the  General  Associa- 
tion in  1886.  "It  is  true  (as  you  have  or  will  learn  from  the  report 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  appointed  at  your  last  session)  that  the 
school  is  not  that  of  the  General  Association  as  heretofore."  But 
they   still    gave  the  school  the  benefit  of  their  pix-stige  and   support. 


HISTORY     OF     R5.SSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1287 

The  session  ot'1886-S7  was  thj  last  to  rejjive  special  considera- 
tion from  the  General  Association.  In  the  fall  of  1887,  the  Sylvarena 
school  was  classed  with  a  number  of  others  that  were  thought  to  be 
equally  worthy  of  mention  and  patronage.  The  design  of  education 
was  not  a  part  of  the  original  plan  of  the  General  Association.  The 
body  was  formed  for  the  evangelization  of  southeast  Mississippi.  It 
■was  purely  a  missionary  liody.  It  might  have  l)een  better,  if  it  had 
been  cast  in  larger  molds,  l)Ut  we  must  not  deal  with  conjecture. 


BAPTIST  FEMALE  COLLEGE. 

Almost  inlmediateh'  ujjon  the  suspension  of  the  Mary  Washing- 
ton Female  College,  was  the  Baptist  Female  College  projected  at 
Pontotoc.    The  school  was  opened  in  the  scholastic  year  of  1858-1859. 

Through  all  the  years  of  the  existence  of  this  college.  Dr.  William 
h.  Slack  was  its  president.  He  was  abh^  assisted  In'  his  cultured 
wife,  who  was  remarkably  proficient  as  a  teacher.  Dr.  Slack  him- 
self was  a  great  teacher.  One  of  their  students,  at  one  time  ex- 
pressed her  views  as  to  the  two  teachers  in  the  algel)raic  e(|uation, 
"Two  Slacks  equal  one  Tight." 

The  College  was  not  pretentious.  Dr.  Slack  had  a  commodious 
house  of  two  stories  in  the  town  of  Pontotoc,  just  north  of  the  Bap- 
tist church.  In  this,  he  conducted  his  boarding  department.  A 
school  room  was  erected  in  the  yard  for  study  and  class  work. 

Dr.  Slack  was  a  very  busy  and  useful  man.  He  had  a  drug  store 
in  the  town,  and  was  a  practicing  physician.  He  had  charge  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  the  place,  to  all  of  which  were  attached  his  numer- 
ous school  duties. 

The  Baptist  Female  College  was  not  at  any  time  remarkal)le  tor 
its  large  attendance,  but  received  a  good  patronage  from  the  coun- 
ties of  Pontotoc,  Tippah,  Union  and  Lee.  Its  local  patronage  was 
limited  in  the  town  of  Pontotoc  by  the  claims  of  a  Presbvterian 
female  school,  which  was  well  officered  and  liberally  supported. 

The  existence  of  the  school  was  by  no  means  ephemeral.  It  was 
in  successful  operation  for  about  twenty  years.  The  session  of  1874- 
1875  was  advertised  as  the  seventeenth.  That  year  the  faculty  con- 
sisted of  Wm.  L.  Slack,  Mrs.  Angie  S.  Slack,  Miss  Nannie  F.  Sloan, 
and  Miss  Maggie  Leavell. 

Numbered  among  the  students,  who  enjoyed  the  advantages  of 
this  good   school,  were:     Mrs.  Modena  Lowrev  Berrv,  Mrs.  Corra 


1288  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Berrj'  Leavell,  Mrs.  Janic  Lowre^-  Sanford  Graves,  Mrs.  Lizzie  Berry 
Iveavel],  Mrs.  Maggie  Leavell  McWhorter,  Mrs.  Nannie  Sloan  Tay- 
lor, Mrs.  Emma  Berry  Pitts,  and  Mrs.  Emma  Leavell  McWhorter. 

During  the  years  the  school  was  in  successful  operation,  there 
ATas  no  railroad  reaching  to  Pontotoc.  Very  little  eftort  was  made 
to  advertise  the  school.     It  lived  solely  upon  its  mei'its. 


DR.  ZE.\LY'S  vSCHOOLS. 

Dr.  J.  T.  Zcaly  was  a  native  of  South  Carolina.  He  was,  for 
some  time,  pastor  of  the  church  in  Newberry' in  that  State.  He  came 
to  Mississippi  in  1875  from  Houston,  Texas,  to  become  pastor  at 
Jackson. 

In  1879,  he  opened  a  school  in  Jackson  for  young  ladies.  It  is 
said  that  he  was  quite  successful  in  his  work.     He  taught  five  years. 

In  1884,  he  took  charge  of  a  school  in  Canton,  where  he  taught 
three%'ears.  His  school  in  Canton  was  well  patronized,  and  had  in 
it  some  choice  young  ladies. 

He  took  charge  of  the  Young  Ladies'  Female  College  in  Winona 
in  1887,  succeeding  the  lamented  President  M.  E.  Bacon.  This 
school  was  under  the  guidance  and  control  of  Dr.  Zealy,  until  his 
Iiealth  became  too  feeble^to  attend  to  school  duties.  In  this  school, 
he  had  quite  a  number  of  boarders,  and  gave  diplomas  to  a  number 
of  young  ladies. 

The  school  buildings  of  the  Winona  Female  College  were  east  of 
the  I.  C.  Railroad,  on  the  hill  between  the  I.  C.  depot  and  the  cross- 
ing of  the  Southern  Railroad.  The  boarding  department  was  a  large 
two-storv  brick  building,  commodious  and  comfortable.  The  school 
rooms  consisted  of  a  frame  building  in  the  yard,  which  was  well 
seated  and  convenientl3'  arranged. 

It  is  said  of  Dr.  Zealy  that,  "he  was  a  wise  and  prudent  leader, 
a  good  man,  and  lived  long  and  well  in  the  blaster's  service."  He 
received  his  education  in  the  State  military  school  of  South  Carolina. 
He  died  December  10,  1893. 


W.\RRHX   FEMALE   INSTITUTE. 

This  institution  of  learning  was  established  in  O.xford  in  1880. 
It  was  opened  for  pupils  in  the  fall  of  that  3'ear  b_v  Mrs.  C.  A.  Lan- 
caster.   Mrs.  Lancaster  was  born  and  educated  in  Albemarle  county, 


HISTORY     CF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1289 

Virginia,  and  was  reared  in  the  scholastic  influence  of  the  University 
«)f  Virginia.  She  was  induced  to  come  to  Mississippi  by  Dr.J.L. 
Johnson,  who  was  then  occupying  the  chair  of  English  in  the  Univer- 
sity of  Mississippi  at  Oxford. 

Warren  Female  Institute  was  located  on  property  south  of  the 
Baptist  church,  which  had  long  been  used  for  school  purposes.  The 
building  was  improved,  and  made  attractive  for  the  opening  of  the 
school.  In  1887,  the  buildings  were  so  enlarged  as  to  make  room 
for  twenty-five  boarding  pupils. 

No  special  effort  was  put  forth  to  make  it  a  large  school,  yet  it 
enjoyed  a  liberal  and  paying  patronage.  It  commanded  the  best  • 
support  from  O.xtord  and  the  University.  The  students  from  the 
school  invariably  took  a  high  stand  on  entering  the  University-,  and 
could  enter  as  far  advanced  as  the  Sophomore  class.  It  was  said: 
^'The  aim  of  the  principal  is  to  give  thorough'  instruction  to  those 
under  her  care."  It  is  seldom  that  one  reaches  an  cj/m  as  nicely  as 
she  did  in  her  class  work. 

Warren  Female  Institute  was  well  spoken  of  l)y  high  authoritv 
and  competent  judges.  Chancellor  K.  B.  Fulton  said  it  was  of  "very 
great  worth  to  this  community.  '  Ex  Chancellor  Edward  Mayes 
said:  "I  have  two  daughters  there,  and  am  perfectly  satisfied  with 
the  results.  In  our  University  facultv  meetings,  the  school  has  often 
been  mentioned  for  the  thoroughness  of  its  work  in  preparing  stu- 
dents for  college."  Dr.  J.  J.  Wheat  said  :  "Her  pupils  have  alwavs 
taken  high  stand  in  the  University." 

At  the  close  (jf  the  session  of  188.1-82,  diplomas  were  awarded  to 
Miss  Julia  To\- Johnson,  in  French,  Latin  and  Mathematics;  to  Miss 
Helen  Quinche,  in  French;  to  Miss  Minnie  Wohlleben,  in  HistorN-^  and 
Engli-sh  Literature;  and  to  Miss  Willie  Richmond  in  Mathematics. 
In  1884--85,  Miss  Kate  Skipworth  was  given  the  degree  of  M.  A. ; 
and  in  1885-86,  Miss  Ethel  Moss  and  ^'iss  Cora  Anderson  received 
diplomas.  Miss  Mar^'  Mayes  and  Miss  Daisy  McKie  were  graduated 
in  1866-67;  Miss  Jessie  McKie,  Miss  Ouida  McLeod,  and  Miss  Mat- 
tie  Jackson  in  1887-88;  and  Aliss  Holland  Falkner  and  Miss  Cor- 
nelia 0/erstreet  in  1889-90. 

Warren  Female  Institute  enjoyed  ci  life  of  good  service.  The  dis- 
cipline was  firm  to  the  verge  ot  rigidness,  the  instruction  exceedingly 
thorough,  and  th;  manag^meat  strictlv  co.iscientious. 


1290  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

HISTORY   OF    MISSISSIPPI   COLLEGE. 

Two  valuable  contrihtitions  have  been  made  to  the  historv  of 
Mississi])pi  College.  One  is  a  brief  history  of  the  institution  written 
bv  Dr.  A.V.  Kowe,  corresponding  secretary  of  our  Convention  Board. 
The  pamphlet  was  published  in  June,  1881.  The  other  is  in  the  form 
of  a  report  to  the  Central  Association  in  1900,  written  bv  Capt. 
W.  T.  Ratliff,  the  president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Mississippi 
College  since  1872. 

One  of  these.  Dr.  Rowe,  adheres  to  the  chronological  order  (jf 
occurrences  strictly,  and  shows  the  highest  respect  for  the  recorded 
facts.  The  other,  Capt.  Ratliff,  writes  as  a  promoter  of  the  interests 
of  the  college,  and  as  an  eye  witness  of  what  has  transpired  relating 
to  the  school  since  1852. 

The  writer  does  not  see  how  he  could  improve  upon  their  work. 
By  their  consent,  he  will  use  parts  of  what  they  have  both  written, 
as  one  fills  out  facts  overlooked  by  the  other,  using,  in  the  main. 
what  Dr.  Rowe  wrote  in  the  beginning  of  this  history-  of  the  college. 
and  concluding  with  what  has  been  written  by  Capt.  Ratliff  of  the 
college  from  1889  to  1900.  There  is  a  gap  of  six  3'ears  between  the 
history  written  by  Dr.  Rowe  and  1889,  which  will  receive  the  atten- 
tion of  this  historian. 

This  course  shall  be  pvirsued  for  the  reason  mentioned  a  hove. 
and  because  the  health  of  the  author  is  rapidly  .failing.  For  two 
years  he  has  been  closelj'  confined  to  his  de^k  through  the  dav  and 
late  at  night,  until  he  has  lost  thirtv-five  pounds  of  flesh,  and  needs 
rest. 

The  following  historical  account  of  the  college,  given  bv  A.  \'. 
Rowe,  explains  itself: 

Individual  prosperity  is  not  a  matter  of  mere  dollars  iind  cents. 
National  prosperity  must  not  be  measured  by  the  number  of  inhabi- 
tants merely  that  arecounted  in  its  census  tables.  No  less  should  the 
growth  of  fi  denomination  of  Christians  be  shown  merely  from  the 
number  of  names  recorded  in  the  Year  Book.  Gideon  had  no  reason 
to  be  proud  of  the  number  of  the  men  who  followed  him  to  victory. 
David  afterwards  rejoiced  in  the  hosts  of  numbered  men,  liut  to  feel 
the  keen  piercing  arrows  of  God's  wrath.  Long  before  Patrick 
Henry's  famous  speech  before  the  Yirginia  AssembK',  the  pen  of  in- 
spiration had  written,  "The  battle  is  not  to  the  strong."  It  is  not 
in  the  numbers,  but  in  the  proper  use  of  the  few,  that  great  enter- 
jjrises  succeed  and  become  blessings  to  the  world.     The   instances  of 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1291 

success  which  mark  all  classes  of  great  enterprises,  show  no  excep- 
tions to  the  generalrule;  and,  if  there  has  been  any  success  at  all  in 
.their  history',  it  has  been  achieved  in  the  face  of  indifference  on  the 
part  of  the  greater  number  of  those  whose  care  the\'  should  have 
enjo3'ed. 

The  scorn  which  was  heaped  vmsparingly  upon  the  first  modern 
missionaries  required  something  more  than  human  determination  to 
face  it.  With  a  heavy  heart  the  man  of  God  miist  have  turned  into 
the  back  streets  to  escape  the  words  of  reproach  which  should  have 
been  words  of  benediction  and  pra^-er.  The  cr^-.  "What  will  the 
shoemaker  do  ?"  followed  him  to  his  work  and  rang  in.  his  ears  by 
day  and  by  night,  for  years,  until  God  himself  had  hushed  it  with 
the  songs  that  made  India  vocal  with  Immanuel's  praises.  The  his- 
tory of  Mississippi  College  does  not  lead  us  through  the  flower\' 
fields  of  Elysian  ease.  Its  career  has  not  been  beside  still  waters  and 
in  green  pastures.  The  storm  has  blown  so  wildly  l)y,  that  some 
have  cried,  "We  perish."  The  jagged  rocks  of  adversity  have  made 
many  a  bruise,  and  the  weary-worn  workmen  have  sighed  heavily 
over  the  wounds.  To  appreciate  this  institution  it  will  be  necessary 
to  look  at  the  general  history  of  education  among  our  people  in  the 
State. 

The  "meeting  to  consider  the  propriety  of  forming  a  Baptist 
State  Convention"  in  Mississippi  was  held  at  Washington,  Miss., 
December  23,  24,  1836.  The  second  article  of  the  con.stitution  then 
adopted,  pledged  the  convention  to    "promote  religious  education." 

In  the  first  meeting  of  the  convention  at  Palestine,  Hinds  county. 
May  5,  6,  1837,  the  Committee  on  Education  called  attention  to  the 
increasing  desire  on  the  part  of  the  Baptist  denomination  in  the 
State  to  promote  education.  For  two  or  three  years  a  few  lirethren 
had  been  considering  the  project  of  a  manual  labor  school.  The 
committee  further  state  in  their  report :  "  In  March,  1835,  a  general 
agent  was  appointed  to  test  the  feeling  of  the  denomination  in  this 
respect.  Something  like  150  subscribers  have  lieen  obtained,  and 
upwards  of  $135,000  have  been  subscribed,  and  between  $6,000  and 
$7,000  have  been  collected.  A  tract  of  land  containing  more  than 
600  acres  has  been  purchased,  a  farm  is  now  going  on  and  the  insti- 
tution ready  for  the  reception  of  students.  *  *  *  Provision  is  made 
in  this  institution  for  the  education  of  pious  young  men  for  the  min- 
istry." The  first  article  of  their  constitution  reads  thus:  "This  Asso- 
ciation shall  be  known  by  the  name  of  the  Mississippi  Baptist  Edu- 
cation  Society,  the   first    objeat  of  which   is  the   education   of  such 


1292  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI    BAPTISTS. 

pious  young  men  tor  the  gospel  ministry,  who  in  the  opinion  of  the 
churches  to  which  they  belong,  and  the  directors  of  such  schools  as 
may  be  established  by  the  SocietN',  or  others  appointed  for  that  pur- 
pose, are  called  of  God  to  preach  the  gospel ;  secondly,  the  instruc- 
tion of  youth  generally  in  such  liranches  of  literature  as  the  means 
placed  within  their  control,  from  time  to  time,  may  enable  tliem  to 
afford." 

This  is  the  fii'st  mention  in  the  literature  of  our  convention  of 
any  educational  interest  among  the  Baptists  of  our  State.  The 
school  spoken  of  here  was  the  Judson  Institute,  located  near  Pales- 
tine Church,  in  Hinds  county.  L.  B.  Holloway  was  its  first  teacher 
and  president,  and  S.  S.  Lattimore  its  first  agent.  It  should  be  borne 
in  mind,  howeveV,  that  the  Judson  Institute  was  not  a  Convention 
school,  but  belonged  to- an  independent  society  as  above  styled.  The 
convention  sought  by  resolution  to  secure  the  support  of  the  de- 
nomination for  the  institution  but  never  had  any  organic  connection 
with  it.  The  Judson  was  moved  to  Middleton.  A  vigorous  report 
before  the  convention  ot  1841,  at  Brandon,  was  adopted,  w'hich 
authorized  the  Convention  Board  "tt)  make  such  arrangements  as 
may  be  necessar}'  to  bring  the  Judson  Institute  legally  under  the 
direction  of  this  bod}-."  The  school  was  reported  as  being  almost  in 
"  readiness  for  the  accommodation  of  a  large  numljcr  of  students, 
and  as  many  professors  as  are  sufficient  for  a  college  course."  Money 
was  lacking  for  the  professor's  salaries.  There  was  no  library  ni)r 
philosophical  apparatus.  Students  could  not  receive  so  thorough 
and  complete  a  training  as  was  desirable,  and  those  in  the  school 
were  expecting  to  take  a  collegiate  course  elsewhere.  The  demand 
on  the  Institiite  was  for  a  more  e.xtendcd  course  of  stud}'.  To  main- 
tain their  present  standing  it  was  necessary  to  become  a  full  blown 
college.  The  trustees  had  incurred  heavy  expense  in  maintaining  it 
thus  far,  and  unless  the  denomination  rallied  to  its  support  failure 
must  be  the  result;  and  yet,  to  make  a  success  of  the  enterprise  there 
must  be  a  change  in  the  amount  and  kind  of  work  done.  The  move- 
to  Middleton  had  not  been  productive.of  that  good  which  was  ex- 
pected. The  chief  difficulty,  however,  seemed  to  be  a  general  spirit 
of  indifference,  for  in  the  convention  of  18-t2,  at  Tocschish  church, 
Pontotoc  county,  the  report  on  the  work  of  Judson  Institute  states, 
that  "the  relationship  existing  between  the  Institute  and  the  de- 
nomination is  that  of  an  uninteresting  daughter  and  a  selfish  penuri- 
ous step-mother."  It  was  hoped,  however,  that  an  interest  might 
be  worked  up   that   would  result   in   an   endowment   of  $100,000. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1293 

There  was  considerable  doubt  on  the  part  of  man}-  brethren  as  to  the 
success  of  the  Judson.  It  had  failed  thus  far  to  unite  the  brother- 
hood of  the  State.  The  action  of  the  convention  in  adopting  the  in- 
stitution was  defective,  as  was  shown  the  following  A-ear  (1843),  at 
the  Mound  Bluff  meeting,  for  want  of  an  amendment  in  the  charter 
of  the  Institute.  The  Board  presented  a  proposition  from  citizens  of 
Canton  and  vicinity,  which  led  to  the  appointment  of  a  committee  of 
fourteen,  who  were  required  to  examine  the  inducements  offered  at 
Aliddleton  and  Canton  respectively,  and  make  a  report  at  the  next 
meeting.  The  Judson  does  not  seem  to  have  ever  rallied,  but  fell  into 
other  hands  and  was  lost  to  the  denomination.  The  proposition 
from  Canton  resulted  in  nothing.  An  effort  to  buy  and  place  in  the 
hands  of  the  convention  certain  property,  w^as  made  by  some  mem- 
bers of  Fellowship  and  other  churches,  in  Jefferson  county,  for  school 
purposes,  but  resulted  in  failure.  The  night  after  this  failure,  Wil- 
liam Coleman,  James  Snodgrass,  and  E.  C.  Eager,  spent  in  Clinton, 
with  Dr.  Stokes.  After  having  given  a  history  of  their  recent  failure 
to  Dr.  Stokes,  this  gentleman,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  Mississippi  College,  said  to  Mr.  Eager:  "I  have  an  idea 
I  wish  to  express  to  you  in  confidence."  He  then  stated  that  Mis- 
sissippi College  Avas  then  in  a  low  and  unpleasant  condition, — that  it 
was  not  a  Presbyterian,  nor  any  other  denominational  school — that 
it  was  a  public  State  school,  and  under  the  control  of  its  Board  of 
Trustees  and  their  successors,  and  he  believed  the  Board,  and  the 
community,  worald  give  it  up  and  convey  over  their  rights  and  pow- 
ers to  the  Baptist  denomination  of  Mississippi,  provided  they  would 
take  hold  of  the  matter  in  earnest  and  do  their  best  to  make  it  a 
college  worthy  of  the  name,  "  Mississippi  College."  These  two  men 
agreed  to  do  all  they  could  to  further  the  matter  in  private.  Dr. 
Stokes  soon  had  the  Board  of  Trustees  on  his  side.  They  called  a 
mass  meeting  of  all  tjie  citizens  and  friends  of  education  in  and  about 
Clinton.  They  unanimously  voted  to  offer  the  college  and  all  of  its 
appendages  to  the  Baptists  of  Mississippi  through  their  State  Con- 
vention, soon  to  meet  at  Jackson,  on  certain  specified  conditions,  and 
appointed  a  committee  to  carrA-  out  this  offer.  Accordingly-,  on 
November  11,  1850,  during  the  afternoon  session  of  the  convention, 
the  committee  appointed  to  investigate  the  claims  of  Clinton  and 
RaA'mond,  made  the  following  report :  That  they  had  given  the  sub- 
ject their  most  patient  and  earnest  attention,  etc.  This  institution 
had  been  in  operation  since  1826,  when  it  was  chartered  by  the  Legis- 
ature  as  Hempstead  Acadenn-,  and  was  put  in  charge  of  a  Board   fol 


1294-  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Trustees  who  seemed  to  represent  tlie  community  of  people  in  cind 
about  Clinton.  In  1827,  the  name  was  changed  by  act  of  Legisla- 
ture to  Mississippi  Academy,  and  in  1830,  to  Mississippi  College. 
Under  the.se  different  names  the  institution  had  a  chequered  course. 
Having  a  decided  aspiration  to  a  position  among  the  best  institu- 
tions, but  all  the  while  it  was  poor  and  unable  to  secure  an  endow- 
ment. In  October,  1836,  Mr.  Eliot,  was  elected  the  first  president  of 
Mississippi  College.  His  associates  were  Mr.  Maxwell  and  D.  M. 
Eliot.  The  college  became  so  much  in  debt  to  these  gentlemen  that 
the3'  resigned  in  November,  1837. 

The  gross  earnings  at  this  time  were  less  than  $580,  with  $8,000 
suljscribed,  of  which  only  $2,000  was  availal)le,  while  .the  expenses 
amounted  to  $6,000  per  term. 

The  next  effort  of  the  trustees  was  to  bring  about  a  union  with 
the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  sixteenth  section  fund,  to  establish  a 
"  respectable  school  in  Clinton."'  This  union,  if  ever  accomplished, 
resulted  in  little  good  to  the  college.  In  1840  the  affairs  of  the  col- 
lege had  so  declined  that  the  members  of  the  Board  seemed  desirous 
to  get  rid  of  the  care  of  an  institution  whose  prospects  were  so  dark. 

At  one  meeting  of  the  Board  there  were  seven  resignations.  In 
1841  and  1842  the  meetings  of  the  Board  were  occupied  chiefly  in 
receiving  resignations  and  electing  new  members. 

In  April,  1842,  an  ofter  of  the  college  was  made  to  the  Clinton 
Presbytery,  to  be  exclusively  under  their  control.  Articles  of  accept- 
ance were  agreed  to  and  the  institution  was  to  begin  a  new  life  under 
the  patronage  of  a  Christian  denomination. 

The  Board  was  remodeled  according  to  the  wishes  of  the  Presby- 
tery. Under  the  new^  management  the  institution  made  more  solid 
advancement.  It  became  necessar\'  to  talk  in  the  Board  meetings  of 
the  form  of  diplomas  to  be  used  in  time  to  come.  The  honorary  degree 
of  D.  D.  was  conferred  on  Rev.  A.  Newton,  Rev.  A.  Converse,  of 
Philadelphia,  Rev.  Elias  Converse,  of  Philadelphia.  A  theological 
professorship  was  added  and  Dr.  Newton  called  to  fill  it. 

[Its  first  graduate,  and  first  student  to  receive  a  diploma  from  an 
institution  in  the  State,  was  Augustus  M.  Foute,  Jr.,  of  Jackson, 
Miss.,  who  b:.'came  quite  a  prominent  lawyer  in  this  State,  and  after- 
wards moved  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  where  he  continued  the  practice  of 
his  profession. — R.\tliff.] 

Rev.  P.  Cotton  was  its  president,  and  he  seemed  to  inspire  the 
hopes  of  success  to  such  a  degree  that  the  trustees  became  individ- 
ually responsible  for  large  sums  of  money,  when,  to  their  dismav,  he 
'>ft"ered    his   resignation,  having   been    tempted  by  a  better  offer  else- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1295 

where.  The  Board  iininediatelN-  selected  Rev.  C.  Parish,  who  he" 
came  president  in  1848.  In  the  foUowing  year  four  names  were 
added  to  the  hst  of  Ahtnini,  among  whom  may  be  mentioned  Rev. 
Oscar  Newton,  now  of  Crystal  Springs.  There  was  3'et  no  endow- 
ment and  the  president  received  his  pay  from  the  tuition  with  $200 
besides. 

The  affairs  of  the  college  began  again  to  decline,  and  an  exhibit 
of  their  condition  was' made,  showing  that  there  was  an  indebtedness 
of  $782.33,  and  no  money  to  payit,  andlnit  little  patronage.  In  this 
state  of  things,  believing  that  its  failure  was  due  in  a  great  degree  to 
its  denominational  character,  the  Board  asked  the  Clinton  Presby- 
tery to  release  them  from  any  and  all  obligations  in  the  matter,  which 
Avas  done  in  July  27,  1850,  in  these  words  : 

Resulved,  That  this  Presbytery  relinquish  forever  our  right  to 
nominate  gentlemen  to  fill  vacancies'  occurring  in  the  Board  «)f  Trus- 
tees of  .Mississippi  College,  and  that  the  relation,  heretofore  existing 
between  this  Presb3-tery  and  the  Board  be  hereby  dissolved."  This 
was  immediately  followed  by  a  resolution  on  the  part  of  the  Board: 
That  the  Board  do  now  tender  this  institution  unincumbered  by  any 
claims  on  their  part  to  this  community  and  agree  to  elect  as  their 
successors  any  persons  who  may  be  nominated  by  the  community. 
A  public  meeting  of  the  citizens  was  called  to  meet  at  the  Presbyter- 
ian church,  in  Clinton,  to  -rnggest  measures  for  building  up  a  literary 
institution  at  this  place. 

Resolutions  appointing  a  nominating  committee  and  committee 
for  liquidating  indebtedness  were  made,  and  one  to  procure  a  (luit 
claim  from  the  Presb^-tery.  A  new  Board  was  organized  which  im- 
mediately began  to  canvass  for  president  and  teachers.  The  jjresi- 
dency  wag  offered  Rev.  W.  Carey  Cran;;,  the  professorships  of  Lan- 
guage U)  Rev.  I.  Comfort,  and  of  Mathematics  to  Rev.  C.  Parish. 
The  last  name  was  the  only  one  who  showed  a  willingness  to  accept. 

August  12,  1850,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Board  a  communication 
was  received  from  Rev.  T.  Ford  which  was  sent  back  to  him.  This 
was  followed  by  another  from  the  same  source  August  20,  which,  on 
motion,  was  laid  on  the  table. 

Augvist  26,  the  following  resolution  passed,  that  .Mr.  Ford  Ije  re- 
quested U)  correspond  with  such  members  of  the  Baptist  church  as 
in  his  opinion  would  take  an  active  interest  in  the  matter  on  the  sub- 
ject of  establishing  a  Baptist  college  in  Clinton  on  the  basis  as  that 
of  the  present  Board  of  Trustees,  and  we  will  turn  over  to  them  the 
present  building  of  the  Mississii»pi  College. 


1296  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Resolved,  further,  That  he,  Mr.  Ford,  be  authorized  to  make  no 
offer  but  only  address  letters  of  incjuiry. 

Ill  November  a  committee  was  appointed  to  notily  the  conven- 
tion that  the  Trustees  of  Mississipjii  College  wish  a  conference  on  the 
subject  of  establishing  a  college  at  this  place,  and  will  meet  the  con- 
vention at  any  time  and  place  designated. 

This  committee  made  reportat  the  ne.xt  meeting,  November  30th, 
that  the\-  had  met  the  convention,  November  11th,  1850,  and  had 
made  a  tender  of  the  entire  buildings,  grounds  and  apparatus  bc- 
^longing  to  Mississippi  College  on  the  condition  that  said  convention, 
or  those  acting  for  it,  use  said  buildings  and  apparatus  for  school  oi' 
college  purposes. 

In  the  fall  of  1850  the  school  (opened  its  first  session  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Mississippi  Baptist  State  Convention.  It  was  with- 
out endowment,  grounds  and  building  much  out  of  repair  and  a  his- 
torj'  by  no  means  inspiring.  The  trustees,  however,  had  faith  in 
what  they  were  undertaking,  and  Avith  high  hopes,  pledged  them- 
selves, individually,  for  claims  to  the  amount  of  $1,700,  and  con- 
tributed between  $600  and  $1,000  for  the  purchase  of  additional 
apparatus.  It  was  deemed  right  to  make  only  such  advances  as  the 
institution  itself  made  a  demand  for,  and  with  this  idea,  I.  N.  Urner 
was  made  principal  of  the  Preparatory  Department.  The  first  ses- 
sion began  with  one  teacher  and  closed  with  three.  There'were  en- 
rolled during  this  session  eighty-four  students. 

The  Baptist  State  Convention  met  in  1851,  at  "Aberdeen  and  re- 
solved to  raise  $100,000  endowment,  and  \V.  M.  Farrar  was 
employed  as  agent  for  said  college  tor  the  ensuing  year.  The  session 
of  1851— 1852  opened  with  nearh'  as  many  students  as  the  previous 
session  had  closed  with.  There  were  students  prepared  for  college 
classes,  but  the  trustees  said  it  would  be  derogatory  to  a  denomina- 
tion nnmbering  30,000,  to  call  an  institution  a  college  which  has  not 
a  dollar  of  available  endowment. 

The  resolutions  of  the  Aberdeen  Convention  and  the  appointing 
of  an  agent,  had  committed  the  denomination  to  the  cause  of  Misis- 
sippi  College.  Henceforth,  it  is  to  be  intimately  linked  to  the  for- 
tunes of  the  denomination,  and  its  success  must  largely  depend  on 
the  disposition  of  the  Baptists  of  Mississippi,  to  sustain  this  child  of 
Providence. 

Those  in  charge  of  the  college  were  keenly  alive  to  this  fact,  and 
in  their  first  report  U)  the  Baptist  State  Convention  in  November, 
1852,    tit   Clinton,    they   sought    to  impress  it  on  the  denomination. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1297 

In  the  convention,  nearly  the  \\'li<»Ic  day  on  Saturdav  was  tjiven  to 
the  LH)nejie,  and  there  \v£is  represented  as  having  been  secured  in  all. 
towards  the  immediate  endowment  of  the  college,  the  suniof  $20,4-H() 
of  which  the  agent  hjid  collected  $13,992.  With  renewed  contidence 
in  the  ultimate  success  of  this  undertaking,  Kev.  H.  C  Eager  began 
^vork  as  agent,  immediately  after  the  convention,  to  com])lete  the 
endowment. 

The  session  of  l<S52—l.sr>;5  was  marked  by  the  issuance  of  the  tirst: 
catalogue,  in  which  are  enrolled  ninety-two  students.  I.  N.  I'rner  has 
been  promoted  to  principal  and  lecturer  on  F'hysic^d  Science:  j.  M. 
Granljerr}',  principal  of  I'reparatory  Department:  H.  S.  Hradford, 
teacher  of  Mathematics. 

lu  the  first  catalogue  are  Ibund  the  names  of  .\le.\anderCaperton, 
now  of  Louisville,  and  editor  of  the  Western  Recorder ;  Edwin  Btinks. 
now  a  lawyer  in  Te.xas,  cind  John  B.  Hand)erlin,  pastor  of  Baptist 
church,  Vicksburg.  and  G.  B.  Eager,  pastor  of  St.  Francis  Street 
church.  Mobile,  Ala. :  Wni.  Katlifl",  now  president  of  Board  of  Trus- 
tees; Thos.  Walton,  now  ])hysician  in  Ahdjanui. 

In  the  following  session,  IcS.IH— ISa^,  college  classes  were  organ- 
ized. The  buildings  then  were  what  are  known  as  the  middle  build- 
ing, the  Preparatory  Department  ;ind  the  brick  house  destroyed  by 
fire,  three  ^-ears  agcj.  The  apparatus  on  hand  was  worth  $2,()0(). 
The  State  Convention  met  in  ISo.'?,  at  Columbus.  The  agent  re- 
ported a  total  on  endowment  fund  of  $fi(),00()  and  an  increasing- 
interest  on  the  part  of  brethren  all  over  the  State  in  the  enterprise. 
In  June  of  the  next  year  the  second  catalogue  was  issued,  showing- 
number  of  students  to  be  \'A7,  oi'  whom  thei'e  was  one  senior,  (i.  C. 
Granberry,  who  thus  became  the  first  graduate  under  the  Baptist 
regime.  The  other  college  classes  were  re])resented  as  follows:  Two 
Junior,  five  Sophomore,  and  nine  Freshmen. 

The  endowment  work  was  progressing  well,  and  by  the  meeting 
of  the  convention  in  ISo-t,  at  Hernando,  $80,000  was  reported  by 
the  agent,  E.  C.  Eager. 

The  session  of  1854— 1X5"),  was  taught  by  rive  gentlemen:  I.  X. 
Urner,  professor  of  Mental  and  Natural  Philosophy,  and  chairman  of 
Faculty:  J.  M.  Ellis,  professor  of  Greek  and  Latin:  Walter  llillman, 
professor  of  Mathematics  and  Astronomy;  S.  S.  Granl)erry,  jjrincipal 
Prepatory  Department :  W.  B.  Gallman,  assistant  princii)al  Frepar 
atory  Departnient.  The  nundjcr  of  students  ctitjdogued  was  128„ 
ikli  undergraduates. 

In  the  fall  of  1855    the    convention    met  at    Clinton.     Owing  toi 


1298  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

sickness  of  .-i^cnt  the  amcjunt  of  endowment  liad  not  been  largely 
increased.  The  Board  was  not  discourajjed.  Theyl)e>jan  to  feel  that 
the  college  was  an  assured  success,  and  were  contemplating^  the  en- 
lar<;ement  of  facilities,  but  were  hesitatin<r  as  to  the  propriety  of 
ajjfitatin^  the  subject  of  a  l)uiUling  fund  for  fear  that  it  would  inter- 
fere with  the  progress  of  the  endowment,  which  was  reported  at 
$88,000.  lacking  $12,000  of  the  amount  originally  contemplated. 

In  this  meeting,  on  motion,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  decided  opinion  of  tliis  convention  that 
the  Mississippi  College  has  reached  a  jjoint  when  its  success  and 
future  iu-(jsperit_v  imperioush-  demand  the  iinnitdiate  appointment 
of  a  suitable  president. 

In  accordance  witH  the  s])irit  of  this  resolution,  1.  .\.  Truer,  in  the 
next  catalogue,  1855-56,  was  enrolled  as  ijcrforming  the  duties  of 
])resident,  /(.  t.;  A.  S.  Worrell  was  enrolled  Professor  of  Oreek  and 
Latin,  and  A.  R.  Oranberry,  assistant   in  Preparatory  Department. 

This  year  was  marked  by  the  gradiuiti(m  of  five  young  men: 
Alexander  C.  Caperton,  jno.  B.  Hamberlin,  R.  P.  Edwards,  Wm.  B. 
Minims,  ;ind  Jas.  B.  Sanders.  The  whole  number  of  students  was 
one  hundred  aiul  twent_\--two,  of  whom  forty-two  were  in  college 
classes. 

The  convention  met  .May  22,  l<s,~)(i,  at  (.)xford,  having  had  a 
recess  of  oidy  seven  months.  The  endowment  was  reported  as  not 
having  materially  advanced.  Very  little  of  it  had  been  paid  in,  and 
indeed  not  much  effort  had  been  made  to  collect ;  but  the  demands 
on  the  institution  were  such  that  it  was  becoming  necessary  to  its 
maintenance.  A  sixth  instructor  was  .'ibout  being  ajipointed,  and 
Jtot  only  w.is  more  money  needed,  l>ut  nnn'e  room  w;is  e(|ually  neces- 
sary. 

In  the  session  of  1  S.^C)-.")?,  there  were  other  changes  in  the  t'acvdty: 
Ji.  A.  Steel,  now  a  jjrofessor  in  Mercer  University,  was  professor  of 
Greek  and  Latin;  DeWitt  Williams,  professor  of  ^Mathentatics  and 
Naturiil  Philoso])liy.  The  senior  class  num])ered  six:  J.  W.  Coleman, 
K.  L.  Com])ere,  li.  (i.  .Mullins,  B.  F.  Passmore,  G.  (i.  Simms,  and 
N.  (i.  Wise.  Whole  number  of  students  during  the  term,  one  hundred 
;ind  twenty-eight,  of  whom  forty-seven  were  in  college  classes. 

Wlien  the  convention  met  in  Lexington,  in  May,  1857,  the  cn- 
<lowment  was  re])orted  $98, 6.50,  of  which  .$25,24-0  had  been  invested; 
ii!53,529  was  still  due,  and  $11), 875,  the  balance,  was  not  yet  due. 
The  interest  on  the  above,  ])aid  in  to  date,  .$10,288. 1(>,  amount  due 
and  not  yet  paid  $6,01 2. ;i(). 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1299 

Durin.iu  the  silling-  of"  the  cdinciition,  in  accordaiK-i.'  with  ihc  de- 
si  re  of  the  Board  as  expressed  in  the  reixjrl,  tiie  endowment  was 
raised  to  $102.S()0. 

The  Board  liad  Oeen  waitini^'  anxiously  the  completion  of  the 
endowment,  as  determined  on  at  Aljerdeen,  to  $100,000,  and  had  on 
foot  a  i)rojeet  to  increase  the  fund  $30,000,  and  at  the  same  time 
raise  a  building  fund  of  SvlO.OOO. 

The  session  of  1857-58  opened  witli  six  teachers:  1).  \V.  C.  Wil- 
liams occupied  the  chair  of  Mathenuitics  and  Natural  Philosophy  ; 
T.  H.  Clark  was  assistant  teacher  in  the  Preparatory  Department  in 
the  fall,  A.  K.  Cranberry  in  the  sprinij  term.  The  session  was  marked 
by  the  .uraduation  of  seven  seniors,  whose  names  are  as  follows: 
Edwin  (Tray  Banks,  I).  S.  Bnreh,  C.  E.  Crawford,  E.  R.  Freeman, 
C.K.Henderson,  T.  \V.  Simms,  and  AI.  j.  Thigpen.  Besides  these, 
there  were  one  hundred  and  twenty-one  luulerjjraduales. 

When  the  convention  met  iri  1S5S,  at  Lil)erty,  a  stirring  report 
from  the  Board,  setting  forth  some  of  the  past  and  the  jircsent  of  the 
college,  was  received. 

From  an  institution  of  one  teacher  and  fourteen  students,  it  had 
grown  in  six  and  one-half  years  to  a  college  with  all  the  classes  in 
full  operation,  and  five  tcjichers.  There  had  been  graduated  fourteen 
young  men,  some  of  whom  had  taken  ]iositions  in  aifairs  oi  church 
and  State  of  no  me;in  character. 

When  the  college  l)egan  its  course  under  the  direction  ot  the  eon 
vention,  there  was  not  a  Baptist  church  in  miles  of  Clinton,  and  not 
a  single  B:iptist  in  the  town,  but  after  six  and  one-half  years  the 
Baptist  church  had  I)ecome  the  strongest  of  the  five  churches  in  the 
town,  numbering  one  hundred  and  eighty,  and  were  now  ready  to 
give  $3,000  in  connection  with  the  effort  to  build  a  chapel,  to  be 
used  as  a  church  and  college  chajiel.  This  growth  was  in  a  large 
measure  due  to  the  college  influence. 

Atfibular  statement  of  its  financial  jirospeets  was  given,  showing: 

Endowment  Fund   ------------  $102,800.00 

Amount  duj  oi  this  fin  1       --------  84,000.00 

eo!l.-,-fd     -----------  34.,994.76 

dujail  :i  );:  c  )lL--;.-d  -     ------  49,005.24 

notyetduj    -----------         18,800.00 

Interest,  total  amount  duj  ---------  21,917.91 

collected    ------------         13,439.40 

due  and  not  collected      ------  8,478.51 

Three  hundred  aud  fifty  nantes  w-ere  on  the  roll  that  made  up 
this  amount.      These  stibscribers  lived  in  different  parts  of  the  State, 


1300  HISTORY     OF     MlSSISSIPn     15APTISTS, 

sliDwiii,;;-  ihat  llio  colk'.uv  liad  a  claim  .l;vik- rally  on  the  people  of  our 
St'ite.  It  was  found  necessary  to  have  aticnts  then  to  collect  these 
subscrijJtions,  and  from  this  source,  and  that  of  tailure  to  collect 
interest,  there  \vas  an  annual  loss  of  $^,500  to  the  college. 

Durinj^-  the  year  ahont  $o,()00  had  been  raised  on  the  Cliapel 
Fund,  and  to  add  as  much  more  was  the  earnest  desire  of  the  Board, 
SI)  that  all  necessary  appointments  nii_>jjht  be  secured  for  a  yet  more 
extended  usefulness.  This  rei:)ort  was  received  in  the  same  spirit  in 
\vhich  it  was  made,  and  there  were  $1,12."  subscribed  towards  the 
completion  ot  the  Chajjcl  I-'und. 

The  session  of  IS,")!-!-;")!)  was  bciiun  with  six  teachers,  a  liraduate 
of  1858  havinu^  been  appointed  tutor — Mr.  I).  S.  Hurch. 

This  session  the  numljer  of  .i^raduates  were  three,  H.  I-\  Mullins, 
E.  H.  Williams  and  J.  H.  York,  and  the  undergraduates  were  one 
hundred  and  sixty-seven.  In  point  of  numbers  the  college  had  dis- 
tanced three-fourths  of  the  one  hundred  and  fifty  colleges  in  the 
United  States,  and  was  ahead  of  all  in  our  State.  The  Chapel  Fund 
was  reported  at  tiic  Canton  Convention  in  1859,  to  be  .$12,000. 
The  contract  for  the  building  had  been  made,  exclusive  of  the  sjiire. 
for  $18,000,  and  the  building  was  in  course  of  erection. 

The  ninth  session,  18.59-60,  was  taught  with  the  excei)tion  of 
Granberry  and  Burch,  by  the  same  professors.  Messrs.  York,  of  the 
class  of  1859,  E.  G.  Banks,  of  class  of  18.58,  were  tutors.  There  were 
three  graduates  this  session  —  B.  W.  Bullock,  j.  L.  Pettigrew,  and 
J.  G.  E.  Williams,  with  an  undergraduate  attendance  of  198.  To  the 
convention  which  met  in  Natchez,  1860,  the  trtistees  sent  their  an- 
nual report,  full  of  ho])e  for  the  future  aufl  congratulations  for  the 
present.  The  college  chapel  was  rapidly  appro.aching  completion 
and  expectancy  was  on  tip-toe  as  to  the  next  commencement  exer- 
cises, which  would  be  held  in  the  new  building.  The  amovtnt  prom- 
ised for  the  chapel  was  not,  however,  all  secured,  and  with  the 
completion  of  the  chapel  there  would  be  needed  $9,000  to  meet  the 
last  i)ayment.  After  the  reading  of  the  report  there  were  three 
brethren  who  m.ide  speeches,  of  which  that  of  Isham  Harris  was 
specially  forcible.  Pledges  to  the  amount  of  $2,255  were  given,  thus 
providing  for  one-fourth  of  the  needed  amount.  The  chapel  was  so 
far  comi)leted  th;it  the  commencement  exercises  were  held  in  it,  as 
expected,  but  was  not  fully  finished  and  paid  for  until  the  following 
fall.  The  last  payment  was  made,  but  $4,000  had  to  be  borrowed 
for  this  purpose,  from  the  endowment  fund.  The  l)right  hopes  of 
great  success,  ;ind  the  fair  ])romises  attending  the  work  often  years^ 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1301 

seemed  iicaivi"  realization.  The  noble  men  who  had  uuided  ilius  tar 
the  interest  of  Mississijj]:)!  Colle<ie,  and  had  made  her  name  dear  to 
the  hearts  of  friends,  and  an  oljject  of  respeet  to  her  enemies,  applied 
themselves  with  still  greater  eoneern  to  the  trust  eommittedto  them. 
They  heard  the  distant  rumblings  of  the  eomint;'  strife.  Thev  marked 
the  stern  asjjeet  of  the  dark  war  cloud,  jiatherintr  furv  as  it  nearer 
drew,  but  undaunted  they  beti:an  their  tenth  session.  Air.  Truer  wiis 
formally  made  president,  havin<;-  proven  himself,  in  the  nine  years 
l^reeedinsj;,  entirely  ca])ableot  the.yreat  trust.  An  additional  tutor  was 
employed  in  the  person  of  .\lr.  .\I.  j.  Thiupen,  of  the  i-lass  of  IS.iS. 
The  session  lS(i()-()l,  was  marked  by  a  greater  number  of  students 
than  ever.  There  were  eleven  graduates,  |as.  Huekels,  \V.  R.  Chamb- 
liss.  O.C.Crane.  S.  C.  (^.ranberry,  j.  H.  Hall.  V .  M.  Harris,  S.  M. 
Hollins-swortli,  j.  H.  Kennedy.  K.  T.  Kin-,  j.  T.  Moore,  F.  .M.  .Man- 
ley,  and  21  7  undersiraduates.  There  were  but  two  ot"  the  twenty- 
one  Baptist  eolleyes  in  the  South  thai  were  ahead  in  uuml)ers.  while 
in  the  Stfite  there  was  not  an  institution  with  so  many  students. 

But  this  must  scxjn  all  i^ive  place  to  ruder  scenes,  for  before  the  con- 
vention met  in  .Macon.  .May,  1S()1,  war  had  been  declared.  Many 
of  the  students  had  yone  home  to  answer  with  friends  the  call  to 
war.  Others  of  them,  with  three  teachers,  had  formed  a  company- 
named  the  .Mississijjpi  Colle,!.;e  Kitles,  and  had  e.\ch;ini;ed  their  books 
for  the  soldiers  ecpiipnients,  and  under  the  command  of  one  of  the 
coUejic  trustees,  awaited  orders  from  the  seat  of  war.  The  president 
of  the  Board.  \V.  J.  Denson,  h;id  l)een  called  from  his  earthly  labors. 
.\uother  ti'ustee,  J.  \V.  Balfour,  was  captain  of  the  Beaure.tfard  Rifles, 
and  still  another,  the  treasurer.  Gen.  Griffith,  who  had  just  been 
made  colonel  of  the  12th  re.-iiment,  -Mississipjji  XOlunleers. 

That  we  may  have  some  idea  of  the  Treasurer's  account  of  jirop- 
crty  in  his  possession  at  the  bei.;inninji-  of  the  war,  I  here  cojjv  the 
stJitement  as  jiiven  .\i)ril  2,  1S()(),  by  Gen.  Griffith,  who  had  just  been 
elected  treasurer. 

14- X.  O.  K.  R.  bonds,  worth  5  percent,  advance.     -         -  .1^1 4-, 000. 00 

\V.  S.  Compere,           .,-....-.  SOO.OO 

Check  on  W.  .\dams  &  Co.,        -        -        -        -        -        -  11,740.34. 

-------  978.00 


$27,518.54 


And  in  addition.    Air.  Urner.    the   Assistiint   Treasurer,  reported 
July  3,  18r)U; 


1302  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Interest  on  notes  collected     -------        .S'J.SoT.fil 

Interest  of  Chapel  Fund     -        - 4,220.0^ 

Tuition  collected     -        - ;',,S89.09 

Making  a  total  of $45,435.51 

Besides  the  notes  of  parties  who  had  borrowed  money  from  the  col- 
lege, and  other  notes  already-  due,  making  in  the  aggregate  a  vearlv 
income  of  no  mean  proportions,  while  the  expenses  of  ISGO  were 
$12,298.70.  and  in  1861,  $8,693.18V2. 

The  flattering  exhibit  of  resources  is  what  ])r()bal)ly  induced,  at 
least,  in  part,  the  unfortunate  resolution,  to  continue  the  school  in 
spite  of  the  war,  antl  ])ay  salaries  sadly  out  of  proportion  with  the 
times. 

The  session  of  l8()l-()2  was  begun  under  the  excitement  of  war. 
There  were  two  graducites,  A.  A.  Lomax  and  B.  W.  L.  Butt,  these 
received  their  degree  in  February.  The  number  of  students  \vas 
about  forty.  No  catalogue  was  issued.  The  history  of  the  college 
teachings  during  the  war  would  be  little  more  than  that  of  an  ordi- 
nary town  scIkjoI,  with  the  single  exception  that  the  teacher  wore 
the  dignified  title  of  I'resident  and  Professor  of  .Moral  and  Intellec- 
tual Philosophy  and  Evidences  of  Christianity.  The  buildings  had 
1)een  yielded  to  the  demands  of  war,  and  were  used  as  hospitals  for 
sick  and  wounded  soldiers.  The  town  of  Clinton  suffered  much  fronv 
the  Federal  army.  Many  houses  were  destroyed,  and  it  was  with 
difficult}'  that  President  Urner,  aided  by  President  Hillman,  of  Cen- 
tral F'emale  Institute,  preserved  the  college  buildings  from  the  gen- 
eral ruin  which  overtook  the  town,  and  the  special,  threatened  de- 
struction which  was  made  against  the  college  buildings.  If  it  had 
not  been  for  the  assistance  given  Ijy  Professor  Hillman,  Mississippi 
College,  no  doubt,  would  have  been  numljered  with  the  things  of  the 
])ast.  But  this  child  of  Providence  was  preserved  to  our  people,  not 
altogether  unscathed.  In  the  genertU  wreck  of  Southern  fortunes  it 
had  a  full  share.  The  buildings,  the  libraries  and  apparatus  were 
jireserved  without  any  material  injury. 

A  financial  statement  made  to  the  convention  in  Jackson,  in  18()(), 
gave  the  full  principal  and  interest  of 

Uncollected  scholarship  notes  -----  $8l,46().00 
Princi]3al  and  interest  uncollected  donation  notes,  -  ."),oll.00 

Notes  for  tuition,  1860-61         .-.--.-  792.00.' 

Uncollected  building  fund 2,800.00 

ebondsofN.  O.,  J.  &  (>.  N.  R.  K 7,920.00. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1303 

Cotton  inonev  in  treasury         -------  900. OO' 

Monevs  h^aned  to  several  parties 5,260.00- 


$104.,649.00 
C.  S.  securities  -------  $1,4.80.00 

C.  S.  nionev  --------  100.00 


$1,530.00 
Here  was  still  an  endowment  of  over  $100,000,  hut  all  on  paper, 
and  no  prospect  of  its  ever  being  elsewhere. 

The  college  was  owing  a  little  over  $7,000,  balance  t)t"  unpaid 
salaries.  Ot  the  one  hundred  and  eighty-five  scholarships  only 
seventy-eight  had  been  paid  in  full.  The  owners  of  these  were  exer- 
cising their  rights  accorded  to  them,  and  in  the  session  of  18G5— 6(> 
there  were  two-thirds  of  the  students  who  had  existed  on  scholar- 
ships, and  thus  only  one-third  of  the  expenses  were  niei.  In  this 
critical  condition  of  affairs  strenuous  efforts  were  made  Lo  realize 
something  on  the  notes  and  unpaid  endowment  schohirships,  where 
parties  were  able  to  pay.  In  Alay,  1867,  Mr.  Urner  obtained  judg- 
ment against  the  college  for  amount  due  him  on  salary,  f(;r  $(>, 681.5,1, 
but  agreed  to  .settle  in  full  for  $6,000,  if  the  Trustees  would  pay  l)y 
January  1st,  18()8.  The  Board  had  resolved  to  re-open  tlie  college  in 
the  fall  of  1867,  but  were  without  means  to  make  some  necessary 
re])airs  and  with  little  prospect  of  meeting  the  ]iayment  due  Jan- 
uary- 1st.  In  their  ])erplexity  they  turned  for  help  to  President  Hill- 
man,  whom  they  earnestly  solicited  to  go  North  and  endeavor  to. 
secure  contributions  from  the  benevolent,  or  in  some  way  ol)taiiithe 
necessary  money.  President  Hilbnan's  school  demanded  his  atten- 
tention  to  that  extent  that  lie  did  not  think  hecouldleave.  Mrs.  H.,. 
however,  went  in  his  place,  arid  at  no  expense  to  the  college  or  its 
friends,  obtained  contril)utions  and  loans  sufficient  to  lift  the  judg- 
ment and  put  the  buildings  in  repair,  with  additions  to  library. 

September  21st,  Mr.  Hillman  was  elected  president  of  the  college 
and  began  his  laliors  in  that  cjipacity.  In  the  latter  part  of  October 
the  session  began  with  an  attendance  of  two  students  in  the  Fresh- 
man class  and  nine  in  the  Preparatory  Department.  During  the  ses- 
sion the  number  was  increased  to  twenty-nine.  There  were  (jnly  two 
teachers — the  President  and  Mr.  Critz.  This  looked  indeed  like  a 
'forlorn  hope,  and  especially  so  when  we  consider  the  general  indiffer- 
ence on  the  part  of  the  convention  and  the  people  who  were  most  ex- 
pected   to   give   their   sympathy.     There   were,  however,,  son.ie   men 


loOl-  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

JiiUTcslcd  in  ils  linal  siu'cess,  and  wlm  were  at  this  time  nu-nibci's  of 
tlicconvcntion.  and  soon  l)ccamc  nicniljcrs  of  the  Board — the  mention 
of  wliose  nanus  would  suffiee  to  make  a  guarantee  t(i  their  work : 
rettigrew,  Haekett,  Loina.x,  Ratliff,  Kells,  Wahie,  and  Hall.  The 
session  of  lS()S—(>')  iuid  an  attendanee  soniewliat  larger  with  the 
Sophomore  and  I-'reshniaii  elasses  organized. 

Rv  the  terms  ot  the  agreement  under  whieh  President  Hillman 
::idvaneed  mouev  lor  the  jjaynient  of  the  mortgage,  the  iailure  to  pay 
him  1)v  January,  iSli",),  would  in\dl\e  the  forfeiture  of  the  whole 
pro])erty. 

When  the  eonveution  met  in  Canton,  lS(i',),  the  sjjeeial  eontmittee 
in  behalf  of  the  eonveution  to  advise  with  the  Bo£ird,  reported, 
through  J.  A.  Maekett,  eliairman,  tlieir  failure  to  relieve  the  eollege, 
.;ind  that  the  "  property,  aeeording  to  the  terms  of  the  agreement 
Avith  the  Trustees,  had  jiassed  into  his  hands  f<  u"  the  term  often 
vears."  Before  the  eon\ention  adjourned,  in  eonlerenee  with  Speeial 
Committee  on  .Mississi])pi  College,  W.  S.  Wehl),  ehairman,  as  re- 
ported by  the  eommittee,  President  I  lillman  generous!  v  ]>roposed  to 
grant  an  e.xtension  of  time — say  eight  or  nine  months — hel'ore  the 
legal  loreelosure  oi  his  moi'tgage,  ])ro\'ided  the  eonveution  shoidd 
t:ake  measures  to  redeem  the  ])ro]K'rl_\-  within  this  time.  After  the 
report,  pledges  and  gifts  to  the  amount  of  $2,St)0  were  made,  and 
resolutions  were  ])assed  ealling  for  a  eontril>ution  of  $10,000  to  meet 
the  debt.  The  agent  wdiose  labors  had  been  most  signally  blessed  in 
the  first  effort  to  endow,  was  again  ealled  on  to  enter  upon  the  work 
of  seeuring  the  amount  ;  and  by  the  meeting  of  the  eonveution  in 
AVest  Point,  in  isTU,  there  was  laeking  .$1.4-1.'.'..2.'  of  the  whole 
iimoiuU.  Mean  while,  the  session  of  1  S()'.)-70  had  been  in  ])r()gress, 
-with  something  of  the  t'ormer  eharaeter  ol  the  eollege.  The  faculty 
had  been  enlarged,  and  the  instruetion  given  in  all  department.s  was 
in  the  highest  degree  satistaetory.  President  Hillman  taught  the 
classes  ol  .\Ior;d  and  lutelleetual  Philoso]ihv  and  Evidences-  of 
Christi.'tnit  \- ;  P.  I),  [ones,  .a  graduate  ot  Hrown,  was  ))rof"essor  ot 
Cireek  and  Latin  and  Literature:  .M.  T.  .Martin,  |)rineipal  Frepar;i- 
torv  Department;  (i.  B.  hunger  and  W.  C.  Friley,  nuanbers  oi  the 
[unior  Class,  were  assistant  instructors.  There  \\'ere  entered  this 
.session,  101  students,  of  \vhom  twenty  were  in  eollege  elasses.  .\ 
recommendalion  of  the  I'oard,  that  a  eo-o])er;aion  w  ith  the  Ba])tist.s 
-of  Arkansas  and  Louisiana,  was  agreed  to,  and  ])lans  were  imme- 
<liately  set  on  fool  to  bring  abotU  the  union  of  these  two  State  Con- 
ventions  with    that    of"  .Mississippi  Baptists,  and  build  <i  grand  uni- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1305 

vcr.sity  that  should  reflect  lioiior  upon  the  three  States.  This  union 
which  seemed  at  first  to  promise  much,  never  resultcfl  in  verv  much 
additional  strength  to  the  college.  Resolutions  warmlv  approving, 
were  ])asse(l  in  the  Arkansas  Convention;  Louisiana  was  rather  in- 
different. Hut  resolutions  were  not  all  that  was  wanted.  'I'he  col- 
lege needed  not  only  adoption  by  the  convention  hut  needed  nujst  of 
all  the  money  belonging  to  the  constituency  of  theeonvention.  There 
"was  attr.'icted  to  the  college  man\-  students  from  those  two  States, 
who  will  ever  l)e  remembered  with  pride  as  the  children  of  Mississippi 
College;  but  the  money  so  much  needed  was  not  so  easilv  secured. 
In  l.STl,  the  con\'enlion  met  in  Cr\slal  Si)rings,  and  here  for  the  first 
time  was  the  time  and  .-ittenlion  given  to  theeoUege  that  it  deserved. 
Some  three  or  four  reports  were  read,  all  eliciting  nnich  discussion, 
and  a  mass  meeting  was  ai)])ointed  in  the  s])eeial  interest  ot'  the  col- 
lege. Nearly  every  speech  made  and  every  other  report  had  some 
reference  to  the  college.  The  result  of  liiis  meeting,  to  the  college, 
was  a  total  in  subscription  and  pledges  of  $2..")S1,  and  a  place  given 
it  in  the  work  of  the  convention,  which  ought  never  to  be  lost. 

The  session  of  1S7(I-71  was  successful  above  the  expectations  of 
the  most  sanguine.  M.  T.  .Martin  had  beon  m;ide  tutor  of  Mathe- 
matics; F>enj.  Whitfield,  prot'essor  of  Analytical  Chemistry  and  Cico- 
logy;  r  .\I.  Woodman,  i)rinci|)al  rre])aratory  Deiiartment  ;  R.  S. 
Jackson  and  W.  C.  Frilev,  assistant  instructors;  1.");!  stinlents  were 
enrolled,  of  whi>m  three  graduated — ("..  H.  Eager,  W.  C.  Frilev.  and 
(t.  B.Banks.  Nine  years  had  ])assed  since  a  diploma  had  been  granted 
from  Mississippi  College;  years  full  of  earnest  sohcitnde  and  anxious 
care  ;  care  not  only  as  to  the  continuance,  but  the  verv  existence  of 
the  college.  From  tlie  ])rou(i  institution  of  le;irning  her  buildings 
had  been  changed  into  the  camps  of  hostile  armies,  and  then  for 
months  the  yellow  flag  of  the  hospital  was  floating  in  the  breezes  of 
her  grand  old  oaks,  and  when  i-ongh-visaged  w.ar  liad  gone,  leaving 
behind  the  mournful  evidences  of  his  stay,  buildings  and  grounds  de- 
serted, silent,  dilapidated,  with  blackened  ruins  all  around,  and 
blighted  hearthst)nes  and  bankruptcy — there  was  needed  a  prophet's 
eye  to  see  the  phoenix  in  the  scenes  of  the  commencement  of  1871. 
The  rcpc^rt  of  the  Board  to  the  Crystal  Springs  Convention  was  full 
of  hope,  and  yet  there  had  not  been  the  financial  success  attending 
college  that  was  desirable.  The  agent,  Rev.  E.  C.  Eager,  had  been 
compelled  to  resign  on  account  of  sickness.  A.  X.  Lomax  was  prose- 
cuting this  i)art  of  the  work  with  his  accustomed  zeal,  but  owing  to 
the  financial  condition  of  the  country,  did  not  accomplish  much. 


130G  HISTORY     (JF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.' 

Tlic  scssii)u  i)t"  1S71-7L'  opened  rt;iU(jriiij;l y.  Tlic  ci)llc.i;c  Itad 
f\i(lciul_v  made  a  tine  impression  as  to  its  condiiel  on  the  vonth  of 
'  our  Suite.  'IMiere  were,  (lnrin<;  the  session,  enrolled  lo',)  names, 
three  of  whom  were  members  of  the  Senior  elass — 1\.  \V.  (irifHth,  H. 
T.  Iladdiek.  and  A.  \'.  kowe.  There  were,  likewise,  scjme  changes 
and  additions  to  the  faenlty.  M.  T.  Martin  was  jjrofessor  of  Mathe- 
matics;  I'.  M.  Woodman  was  professor  of  (ireek  and  Latin  Lan- 
li^ua.ijes  and  Jviler.-Ltnre  ;  (leorsie  Wharton,  tutor  of  .Mathematics ;  J. 
H.  Eager,  tutor  of  Mathematics;  H.  C.  Timherlake,  in-inei]);d  Tre])- 
arator3'  Department;  I).  S.  liurch,  assistant  instructor;  j.  P.  Snecd, 
rissistant  instructor;   \\'.  S.  Wehh,  Lecturer  on  ThcoloLiv. 

W'hen  the  cou\-ention  met  in  Meridian,  in  LS72,  the  Hoard  was 
;d)le  to  report  the  co11c,l;'c  out  of  del)t.  This  work  hrid  i)een  success- 
tully  comi)lctcil  mider  the  Labors  of  Professor  Martin,  who,  at  the 
earnest  retpiesi  of  the  Hoard,  had  vacated,  tcmi)oraril_\-.  his  position 
in  the  Faculty  for  this  es]iecial  purpose.  'I'he  noble,  generous  efforts 
of  Professor  ALirlm  will  c\"er  be  held  in  grateful  remembrance  bv  all 
who  lo\-e  .Mississip])i   College. 

The  judgment  which  had  been  st.aved  oH  for  hve  years  l)v  the 
intervention  of  Professor  Ilillman,  who  had  stood  between  the  Bap- 
tists of  Mississippi  ;ind  the  u])lifted  hammer  of  the  Sherifl',  had  at 
last  been  met.  In  an  im])rompLu  speech  ofgrc.at  ])owcr  he  delivered 
once  more  into  P)aptist  hands  their  college,  free  from  debt.  Witli  .a 
remembrance  of  what  .Mr.  Hackett  reported  to  1S(')9,  at  Meridian,  I 
recall  some  expressions  of  this  speech  that  could  not  be  reported: 
".My  brethren,  I  confess  that  I  have  ])assed  through  a  great  tempta- 
tion. Ves,  it  w;is  a  temptation.  In  the  time  that  I  li.ave  held  this 
mortgage  1  could  have  doubled,  yea,  (piadrupled  my  monev.  but, 
thank  God.  the  tem])tation  is  ])assed.  I  can  deliver  these  papers  into 
the  hands  of  the  Hoard,  as  I  have  .all  .along  desired  to  do,  with  the 
college  tree  from  debt." 

[But  while  the  work  of  reorganizing  was  going  on,  the  debt  was 
all  the  time  increasing,  until  it  reached  the  ])oint  th.ai  gave  nuich 
anxious  concern  lo  all  who  were  interested  in  the  wellare  of  the  col- 
lege. The  most  earnest  .and  vigorous  eflorts  were  nuide  to  r.aise  the 
money  with  which  to  pay  oif  the  debt.  Every  experiment  tried  h.ad 
ended  in  failure,  when  Prof  M.  T.  .Martin.  y)f  the  ch.air  of  M.athe- 
niatics,  asked  for  the  ])rivi]ege  of  entering  the  Held  as  ;i  volunlarv 
agent,  without  ch.arge,  to  ni.ake  one  more  effort  to  save  the  life  of 
the  college.  The  authcjriiy  lo  do  so  w.as  gr.anted,  .and  by  .almost 
superhuiuan  effort  on  his  ]),irl,  .aided  bv  a  few  friends  who  believed  in 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1307 

his  ability,  within  ninety  days,  had  all  ot  the  money  in  bank  to  pay 
the  debt,  which  had  increased  from  $6,500  to  $10,000,  and  at  the 
meeting  of  the  Baptist  State  Convention  held  in  Mtridian  in  1872. 
the  last  dollar  due  Dr.  Hillman  and  other  creditors,  was  paid,  and 
the  mortgage  held  over  the  college  property  was  cancelled.  There 
was  great  rejoicing  among  the  Baptists  of  the  State  over  this  great 
achievement  of  Prof  Martin.  The  self-perpetuating  Board  resigned 
and  a  new  Board  of  Trustees  ejected  in  their  stead,  who  organized 
by  the  re-election  of  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Whitfield  president. 

Before  the  rejoicing  throughout  Ihe  State  over  the  payment  of 
the  debt  against  the  college  had  ceased,  the  hearts  of  every  friend  of 
the  college  and  every  good  cause,  was  saddened  by  the  news  of  the 
death  of  the  venerable  President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  the  Rev. 
Benjamin  Whitfield.  The  college  never  had  a  better  friend,  or  a  more 
libera!  jjatron.  He  had  given  more  time  and  thouulu  to  the  college 
than  any  man  of  his  da}-,  and  had  contributed  liberally  of  his  nionev. 
His  memory  will  be  cherished  as  a  precious  legacy  to  the  institution 
as  long  as  it  has  an  existence  and  as  long  as  men  and  women  con- 
tinue to  appreciate  that  which  is  noble  and  self-sacrificing.  The 
writer  of  this  report  was  elected  as  his  successor,  at  the  July  meeting 
of  the  Board  in  1872. — Capt.  R.\tliff.] 

But  this  freedom  from  debt  did  not  mean  that  there  was  a  sur- 
plus in  the  treasury.  Hence,  the  report  ot  Committee  on  .Mississippi 
College,  by  W.  S.  Wel)b,  chairman,  called  at  once  attention  to  the 
urgent  need  of  an  endowment,  so  as  to  carry  on  an  institution  of 
the  grade  proposed  in  this  one. 

The  convention  committed  itself  to  engage  in  raising  an  endow- 
ment of  $100,000,  which  it  was  thought  could  be  eflfected  in  the 
three  States,  at  an  early  day.  A  i-eport  was  adopted  looking  to  the 
change  of  charter  so  as  to  secure  the  co-operation  of  Louisiana  and 
Arkansas,  and  a  committee  appointed  to  confer  with  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  on  the  subject. 

The  work  of  endowment  was  given  into  the  hands  of  Professtjr 
Martin,  who  reported  $37,000  in  subscription,  at  the  convention 
which  met  in  1873.  at  Aberdeen.  To  this  add  four  railroad  bonds  at 
$1,000  each,  lost  in  1860,  recovered  less  expenses;  their  results  $40,- 
000  as  the  incomings  of  the  conventional  year,  exclusive  of  the  tui- 
tion. The  convention  remanded  the  interest  to  the  churches  and 
pastors,  for  co-operation  with  the  agent. 

The  fall  session  of  1872-7.3  opened  with  a  considerable  advance 
made  over  the  number  of  last  session.     There   were,   however,    only 


130!S  HISTORY     UF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

two    in    Senior    Class — X.  M.  I  Iollin,L;s\vorlh  and  (ico.  W'harlon  ;  188 
■were  in  alUiuianco  in  the  undcri^raduatc  classes. 

Dnrinu  the  vcar,  a  clianyv  had  been  made  in  the  course  ot  sludv, 
so  that  the  collejic  was  divided  into  six  schools,  leaving  it  oj^tional 
Avith  the  student  as  to  which  he  would  enter.  A  certificate  of. "gradu- 
ation should  be  j^iven  in  each  oi"  these  schools,  and  a  full  diploma 
only  after  the  com^jletion  oithe  full  course. 

The  I'acully,  durin^i  this  SL-ssion,  consisted  of  President  Ilillman, 
professor  of  Moral  and  InLelleclu'al  Philosophy;  Theo.  Whitfield, 
professor  of  (ireck  and  Latin;  .\I.  T.  Martin,  professor  of  Mathe- 
matics; H.  \V.  (iriffith,  tutor  in  M;iihematics  and  principal  Commer- 
cial I)c])artmcnl ;  II.  C.  Tindjerlake,  jirinciijal  Preparatory  Depart- 
ment; j.  II.  lia^er,  assistant  instructor;  \V.  E.  Owin,  assistant  in- 
.struclor;    W.  S.  Webb,  instructor  in  Theology. 

The  session  of  1873-74-  was  nifirked  by  the  adoption  of  the  new 
])lan  of  study.  The  following  students  were  graduated  :  J.  G.  Col- 
lins, J.  II.  B.iger,  H.  E.  King,  W.  E.  Owin,  H.  L.  Owin,  W.  W.  Rocket, 
antl  T.  E.  Talbert.  The  lull  number  in  attendance  was  1();>,  and  in 
the  Faculty  there  was  also  considerable  change:  W.  S.  Wel)b,  presi- 
dent and  ])rofessor  of  Aloral  ;ind  Intellectual  Philosojihy  ;  J.  L).  Cole- 
man, ])r(ilessor  of  (ireek;  II.  C.  Tindierlake,  professor  of  Eatin  ;  AE 
T.  Alartin,  [)rofessor  of  Mathematics;  B.  H.  Whitfield,  ])rofessor  of 
Naturjd  Sciences ;  I).  S.  Burch,  principal  Prejiaratory  Department; 
F.  W..  Brofidus,  teacher  of  French  ;  W.  E.   Brown,  librarian. 

The  first  year  ol'  the  new  man.igement  closed  with  a  deficit  of 
$2,906  in  current  ex]jenses,  showing  evidently,  that  the  notes  given 
for  endowment  were  not  being  met  ])romj)tlv.  It  will  be  remem- 
bered that  this  was  the  year  of  the  money  panic,  when  not  only  at 
the  South,  but  also  at  the  North,  the  stinngency  in  money  matters 
was  severer  than  Ibr  many  ve.ars  before.  Many  scliools  had  been 
forced  to  close  their  doors.  The  stringency  in  the  money  market 
was  followed  l)y  the  ;dmost  total  failure  of  the  croi)s  in  Mississijipi, 
in  1S74-.  So  that  the  college  reported  a  small  debt  to  t heconwntion 
at  Hazlehurst. 

The  old  schol;irshii)S  were  being  jiartly  used  tor  ])aying  tuition, 
and  while  these  were  in  use  the  tuition  would,  ot  course,  be  small. 
An  effort  was  made  to  secure  the  sin-render  of  these,  which  succeeded 
so  well  that  this  work  w;is  considered  as  the  most  tavorable  thing 
done  during  the  year. 

Ol  the  200  schokirshi])  notes  secured  t)n  the  endowment,  as  has 
been  said,  eighl\-  of  them  paid,  and  each. holder  was  entitled  to  enter 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     I5APTISTS.  1309 

a  student  without  paving  .-iiiv  tuition.  Wc  found  tiiat  just  in  pro- 
portion as  the  college  was  not  able  to  carry  these  scholarships,  the 
holders  were  disposed  to  use  them.  .\s  the  principle  involved  in  this 
experience  is  one  well  recognized  in  l)usiness  affairs,  avc  could  not 
complain,  and  were  much  surprised,  hut  were  none  the  less  troubled 
to  know  how  to  meet  the  difficulty.  When  it  was^  evident  that  the 
right  to  use  the  scholarships  would  in  most  cases  be  exercised,  it  was 
plain  to  any  thinking  mind,  that  it  would  Ik  only  a  question  of  time 
when  the  college  would  have  to  be  abandoned  by  the  denomination, 
as  the  incumbrance  imposed  by  those  scholarships,  was  greater  thiin 
the  vfdue  of  all  the  liuildings,  grounds  and  other  belongings  of  the 
college. 

What  could  be  done  to  meet  this  difficulty  was  a  (|uestion  often 
discussed  between  the  presidents  of  the  Board  and  Faculty,  and 
Prof.  Martin.  After  much  deliberation,  and  anxious  discussion. 
Prof.  Martin  proposed  that  if  a  man  could  be  found  who  would  ac- 
ceptably fill  his  place  in  the  chair  of  Mathematics  for  a  few  months, 
that  he  would  ttndertake  the  work  of  inducing  the  holders  of  these 
scholarships  to  surrender  them  to  the  college.  Within  a  few  h(jvirs 
from  the  time  Prof.  Martin  submitted  his  proposition,  John  H. 
Eager,  a  member  t)f  the  Senior  Class  had  l)een  secured  to  take  the 
Mathematics,  and  Prof.  Martin  was  ready  for  the  field.  He  was  the 
the  owner  of  a  good  S£iddle  horse  at  that  lime,  and  betore  the  sun  ot 
that  day  began  to  wane,  he  was  many  miles  from  Clinton  on  his 
great  mission.  It  was  not  long  before  a  message  came  from  him  that 
read  like  this:  "Horse  given  out,  have  secured  another,  and  six 
scholarships."  This  messtige  was  followed  in  a  day  or  two  by  .an- 
other of  like  import,  then  another,  and  thus  they  came  from  day  to 
day  and  week  to  week,  until  we  hafl  notice  of  (|uite  a  number  ot 
horses  left  by  the  wayside,  but  at  the  end  of  six  weeks  tiie  Pro- 
fessor rounded  up  at  Clinton  with  the  eighty  scholarships,  except  a 
few,  surrendered  to  the  college. — R.\tliff. 

In  the  report  of  last  year,  the  Board  had  called  attention  to  the 
great  centennial  work  then  inaugurated  by  Baptists  all  over  the 
South,  and  attention  was  again  called  to  it  at  the  Hazlehurst  meet- 
ing. A  committee  was  appointed,  whose  report  was  heartily 
adopted,  connuitting  the  centennial  work  into  the  hands  of  James 
Nelson,  with  a  committee  fi-om  each  district  association  and  a  Board 
of  Managers,  located  at  or  near  Clinton.  This  celebration  of  the 
100th  birth-day  of  American  Liberty  in  which  was  secured,  for  the 
fcrst  time,  the  priceless  boon  of  religious  lilierty,  was  deemed  an  occa- 


1310  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

sion.of  gratitude  unci  of  tliank-offfiiiiiis  in  whicli  all  niii^lu  appro- 
priately ^ivc  at  least,  $1.00  as  a  manifestation  of  appreeiation.  To 
further  eneourajic  this  movement,  a  plate  was  struek,  having  thereon 
jin  en^ravinji'  of  eh^ipel  Jincl  laees  of  president  and  professors,  with  ji 
eertificate  in  eenler,  all  beautifully  gotten  up. 

The  session  of  1874-75  had  not  numbered  as  many  students  as 
the  last,  for  the  total  shows  145,  with  seven  graduates — \V.  E.  Berry, 
C.  R.  Freeman.  A.  H.  Longino,  A.  J.  Miller.  T.  N.  Rhymes,  J.  W.  San- 
ford,  C.  W.  Webb.  B.  W.  Griffith  was  tutor  of  Mathematics,  R.  I). 
Miller,  assist<int  teacher.     No  other  changes  in  Faculty. 

The  session  of  l.*^75-76  was  taught  by  the  same  gentlemen,  with 
the  exception  of  Messrs.  Graffith  and  Miller.  Baron  D.  Gray  was  as- 
sistant in  Preparatory  Department,  and  T.  J.  K<nvan  was  librarian. 
One  hundred  and  fifty  students  were  enrolled,  ol  whom  ten  gradu- 
ated—E.  A.  Andrews,  W.  P.  Carter,  G.  S.  Dodds,  I.  A.  Hailey,  A.  B. 
Hurt,  \V.  H.  McCk-e,  J.  B.  Roliinson,  T.  j.  Kowan,  E.  N.  Thomas,  and 
R.  A.  X'enablc.  The  centennial  work,  as  inaugurated,  elicited  much 
attention  from  all  classes,  ))Ut  the  enthusiasm  expected,  was  not 
aroused.  Money  was  hard  to  get,  and  the  mistake  of  striking  too 
low  had  been  made.  In  the  prosecution  of  his  work,  James  Nelson 
had  repaired  to  Louisiana  and  was  there  taken  sick,  to  come  home 
.and  die,  which  event  occurred  }annar_v  21,  1S77.  The  work,  how- 
ever, ^venl  on  in  some  manner,  conducted  by  pastors  as  volunteer 
iigents,  and  such  others  as  could  be  secured.  When  the  convention 
met  in  Jackson,  1S76,  the  Btmrd  felt  the  need  of  helj),  perhaps  more 
than  ever.  To  keep  good  men  as  professors,  recjuired  money.  Year 
after  year  there  had  been  a  deficit  in  professors'  salaries,  and  to  hold 
our  own  meant  a  large  increase  over  the  amounts  already  in  pos- 
session of  the  Board.  To  stand  still  meant  debt ;  debt  meant  de- 
struction. The  centennifil  committee  made  their  report,  which  was 
followed  by  Dr.  Boyce  and  Dr.  Wilson,  in  s]:)eeches  of  great  power. 
Professor  Martin  then  took  the  Moor  and  secured  in  pledges,  the 
amount  of  .$S,'J5().  With  this  cftort  the  centennial  work  began  to 
subside.  .\  growing  distrust  had  all  along  been  felt,  and  the  general 
results  were  so  insignificant  that  in  the  report  made  at  Starkville,  in 
1877,  no  reference  at  all  was  made  to  it.  The  conditi'on  of  the  col- 
lege, "  financially,  does  not  differ  materiallv  from  that  reported  one 
year  ago,"  is  the  language  of  the  report.  To  meet  this  financial  con- 
dition, the  i)rofessors  had  all  voluntarily  agreed  to  a  reduction  of 
their  already  small  salaries,  thus  exhibiting  a  consecration  to  the 
^•(jllege  rarely  equaled.    The  Board  seemed  to  have  ;dinost  despaired 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1311 

of  the  cndowiiK-iU  in  money,  and  llic  aijpc-al  loudest  made  was  "yive 
us  your  l)oys"  and  this  is  all  the  endowment  we  will  asU.  The  .yrad- 
uatin^u  class  ot  l<s7(i-77  consisted  ot  ten  yount:'  men,  viz:  I.  H.  And- 
in.ii-,  J.  R.  Hu.-ihcs,  E.  A.  McDowell,  T.  A.  Moore,  S.  W.  Sihley,  \V.  L. 
Skinner,  B.  A.  Taylor,  T.  \V.  Walton,  M.  T.  Wells,  and  S.  R.  Young 
The  whole  number  of  students  was  164.  The  jjiofessors  remain  the 
Siinie,  with  D.  S.  Burch,  principal  Preparatory  Department,  and  P'. 
H.  Eager,  assistJint  teacher,  and  B.  D.  (iray,  librarian. 

The  session  ot"l<S77— 7S  was  taught  by  tlie  sjimc  professors  with 
the  exception  of  j.  D.  Coleman,  with  I.  A.  Hailcy,  jjrineipal  Prei)ara- 
tory  Dei)artment;  |.  G.  Collins,  assistant  princiijal  Preparatory  Dc- 
])artment.  The  number  ot  students  entered  was  Ki-t,  of  whom  four 
graduated:  Cico.  .\nderson,  P.  H.  Eager,  J.  A.  (iranberry  and  B. 
D.  Gray. 

The  convention  met  in  Summit  in  1S7S.  The  Board  madea  more 
cheerful  report.  That  year  had  lieen  one  of  great  trials  and  diihcul- 
ties,  but  through  the  blessings  of  a  kind  Provideiicc  the  difficulties 
have  all  been  surmounted,  and  in  the  judg»nent  of  the  Board  the  col- 
lege is  on  a  firmer  I'oundalion  than  it  has  occupied  for  years.  The 
a])i)eal  of  the  year  before  had  l)egun  to  show  it  well-timed,  and  while 
there  had  been  no  increase,  yet  there  had  been  no  dimintition  in 
])atronage.  The  crisis  which  was  then  thought  innninent,  came  in 
uiuch  greater  force  than  was  expected.  It  will  not  be  amiss  to(|Uote 
from  the  Board  :  "  The  opening  of  the  State  I'niversity  last  summer 
to  all  young  men  and  boys  free  of  tuitio'n  ;  the  disposition  on  the  part 
of  many  to  go  out  of  the  State  for  educational  facilities;  the  Ijurning 
of  otxr  hall  last  November;  an  un])aralled  amount  of  sickness  among 
our  students,  resnUing  from  ])revalence  of  measles  in  the  community; 
add  to  this  the  un]irece(lented  scarcity  of  money,  whicli  has  affected 
every  class  of  our  people,  and  partieidarly  that  class  upon  whicli  we 
mostly  depend  for  ]),'Ltronage,  tmd  we  ha\e  a  combination  of  causes 
which  if  not  sufficient  to  produce  a  first  class  crisis,  would  at  least 
be  very  de])ressing  in  their  influences."  With  this  spirit  among  the 
Board  and  Professors  we  would  expect  the  next  session  to  show  an 
increase  of  patronage  and  still  greater  hopefulness.  The  year  1S7S 
is  associated  with  scenes  of  darkest  hue  whose  blighting  effect  on  all 
industries  withered  up  the  bright  hopes  which  hiid  beckoned  our 
people  on  with  fairest  pnnnises.  The  stricken  people  of  our  own  and 
neighboring  States  for  four  hjug  months  were  face  to  face  with  death 
in  our  principal  towns  and  cities,  while  manv  places  in  the  interior 
suffered  with  e(pial  intensity  from  the  vellow  fever  epidemic. 


1312  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

TIic  session  of  1S7S-7'.)  was  tau_y;lit  with  V.  11.  Ha,i;cr.  i)rotcssor 
of"  Mathematics  ;  j.  C  Stevens,  ])rinciiial  of  Prej^aratory  Department; 
Mr.  A.  C  Rutt  assistant,  and  Mrs.  M.A.Stevens,  assistant  principal 
Prcjiaratory  Department;  P.  H.  Eager,  Hbrarian.  The  total  number 
of  students  was  one  hundred  and  thirty-one,  of  whom  there  were  five 
^M-aduates:  J.  Baskin,  J.  H.  Runnels,  J.  A.  Snyder,  J.  E.  Thij^pen,  and 
B.  H.  Wells.  At  the  close  of  the  .session  there  was  no  debt,  but  the 
plan  of  making;  tuition  pay  expenses  was  hard  on  the  professors. 
The  whole  amount  collected  of  endowment  notes  -  -  $  74-1. 4-5 
invested  "  "        -        -        -        500.00 

iminvested  "  "  -        -        -     241.45 

Other  fund  revenue  bearinjj;. (i, 966. 40 

From  this  amount  had  been  realized  in  rents,  interest,  etc.  1,702.25 
Applied  on  indebtedness        ----...  1,373.50 

Current  expenses        ...--....  328.50 

Whole  amount  of  endowment  iiotes  due  was  -  -  40,000.00 
Interest  on  endowment  notes  due  .  -  .  .  .  15,000.00 
Debt  created  by  non-payment 8,000.00 

The  work  of  the  professors  could  not  lony  l)c  expected  at  the 
rates  they  were  beiny  paid.  .\n  extra  effort  was  recommended  at 
the  Grenadji  Convention,  in  1S7!^>,  to  endow  the  ])resident's  chair 
with  $4,S00,  to  be  paid  in  ecpial  annual  installments. 

The  charter  had  remained  unchanged  as  to  the  co-operation  of 
Arkansas,  which  had  ceased.  It  was,  therefore,  recommended  that 
the  section  having  reference  to  Arkansas  be  stricken  out. 

The  session  of  1879-SO  w.'is  taught  by  same  professors,  with 
addition  of  George  Wharton,  ])rofcssor  of  (ireek;  E.  .\.  Pace,  princi- 
pill  I'reparjitorv'  Department,  During  the  session  there  were  cJitii- 
Jogued  one  hundred  and  ninety-one  students,  of  whom  there  were 
five  graduates — J.J.Jackson,  T.  S.  Powell,  I.  P.  Trotter,  J.  J.  White, 
and  J.  B.  Wilson.  This  number  was  in  excess  of  any  since  the  war. 
When  the  convention  met  in  Okolona,  the  change  in  ch^irtcr  ordered 
in  1S79,  was  reported  as  made,  and  with  it  a  provision  whereby 
property  might  be  safelv-  left  to  the  college  in  wills  of  jiersons  so 
inclined. 

A  financial  statement  made  at  the  meeting  shows  : 
Amount  invested — endt)wnient  funds        .        -        .        .  $8,690-75 

Received  from  all  sources  ..-...-  7,165.55 
While  the  amount  of  disbursements  w£is        .        .        .        -     5,772.91 

A  statement  which  challenges,  in  one  respect  at  least,  the  pay- 
ment ofexpenses,  that  of  nnv  other  first-class  institution  in  the  land. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1313 

The  professors'  salaries  for  session  of  1879-80  were  $4,220.00,  and 
comparisons  of  this  amount  with  the  amount  of  tuition,  will  not 
fail  to  show  whence  it  came.  As  we  look  over  this  history,  nothing- 
impresses  us  more  than  the  devotion  of  the  men  whose  instruction 
are  here  enjoyed. 

In  1850,  when  the  colk-.tje  was  first  put  in  operation,  there  was 
one  teacher;  he  remained  until  ISfiG.  Associated  with  him,  at.diftei-- 
ent  times,  were  twenty  professors  and  teachers,  during  a  space  of 
fifteen  years.  Most  of  the  ehanji-es  were  in  assistant  teachers,  the 
professors  rarely  changing.  From  1867,  when  President  Hillmaa 
took  charge  of  the  present  session,  there  have  lieen  twenty-three 
professors  and  teacher^,  the  changes  occurring  mostly  in  the  Prepara- 
tory Department.  During  this  later  period,  in  spite  of  the  poverty 
of  the  college,  there  have  been  hut  four  teachers  retired  from  their 
positions  as  professors.  There  have  been,  in  all,  three  presidents. 
From  1850  to  1861,  there  was  an  attendance  of  one  thousand,  three 
hundred  and  thirty-four  students.  From  1867  to  1881,  there  were 
two  thousand  and  eight— making  a  grand  total  of  three  thousand 
and  four  hundred  and  twentv-two  students  who  have  attended  on 
the  instructions  of  Mississippi  College — an  average  ot  one  hundred 
and  fourteen  for  all  the  time  of  its  e.xistence :  and  leaving  out  the 
war,  an  average  of  one  hundred  and  thirt\'-six  and  tour-titths.  Ot 
this  number,  there  have  been  one  hundred  and  four  graduated;  thirty- 
nine  took  their  degrees  before  and  during  the  war,  and  since  the  war 
there  have  lieen  sixty-five,  making  one  graduate  to  every  thirty-tour 
students;  and  leaving  out  the  war,  one  to  thirty-two  students. 
These  men  have  l)ccn  workers  in  ;dl  the  pi-ofessions  of  life,  making 
impressions  on  the  thought  and  aeiions  of  the  age. 

When  we  take  into  consideration  the  difficulties  under  whicii  the 
work  of  Mississippi  College  has  been  carried  on,  it  sliould  be  a  mat- 
ter of  just  pride  and  congratulati(jn  that  so  much  has  been  done. 
From  1850  to  1857  was  consumed  in  securing  subscriptions  ol  schol- 
arships for  the  first  endowment.  The  sum  of  $102,800.00  was 
secured  in  the  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  scholarships  sold.  Only 
seventy-eight  of  these  were  ever  fully  paid.  .\  judicious  investment 
of  the  monev,  however,  enabled  the  Borird  to  meet  nil  iheir  debts 
promptly. 

During  the  war,  tliere  was  a  continual  outlay  with  no  return. 
Since  the  \var  the  work  has  been  done  under  greater  tliseouragement 
than  ever.  From  a  subscribed  endowment  of  $4-0,000.00,  only  $15,- 
000.00    had    lieen  of  anv  actual  service  so  far  as    vieldiim  a  revenue 


1314  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

j"or  lhcVollc<jc.     While  of  the  notes  thai  are  due,  only  some  $SOO.0§ 
have  been  paid. 

In]]spite  ot"  these  discouragements,  the  session  of  1880—81  has 
been  a  prosperous  one.  There  have  been  catalogued  two  hundred 
and  thirty-four  students,  of  ^vhom  there  are  seven  in  the  Senior  class, 
and  already  counted  in  the  total  number  of  the  .\lumni — .Messrs.  I. P. 
Trotter  and  W.  T.  Lowrey. 

In  1881,  the  college  was  being  liberally  patronized.  The  enroll- 
ment of  students  in  1880-81  was  larger  than  ever  before  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  institution.  The  teachers  were  receiving  as  compensa- 
tion onl\'  the  amount  accruing  from  tuition  fees.  No  payment  was 
being  made  on  special  endowment  funds.  The  Boardof  Trustees  was 
of  the  o]iinion  that  some  sort  of  equitable  dispositit)n  should  be 
made  i>f  the  old  promissory  notes  that  the  college  held  against  in- 
dividuals. 

The  following  year  Z.  T.  Lea\cll  of  O.xford,  was  employed  as 
Financial  and  Bductitional  Secretary  of  .Mississi]i})i  College,  who  was 
to  collect  money  for  the  tem])orary  suj^port  of  the  college  and  to 
settle  the  old  notes  in  hand.  He  was  engaged  in  this  work  for  two 
years,  and  was  succeeded  by  I.  H.  Anding,  who  held  the  position 
until  the  formation  of  the  Convention  Board  in  1885,  this  Board 
having  the  oversight  of  all  the  work  of  the  convention.  J.  B.  Gani- 
brell  was  made  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Convention  Board, 
and  had  the  oversight  of  the  financial  affairs  of  the  college.  lie  was 
succeeded  by  J.  T.  Christian  in  the  summer  of  1S87,  who  looked  after 
the  college  finances  until  the  convention  entered  upon  the  onward 
movement  spoken  of  by  Ca])t.  Ratliti  below  this  writing 

In  1S8.S,  the  enrollment  of  the  college  reaclud  2-t4,  the  largest  in 
the  history  of  the  school.  The  patronage  was  through  this  period 
satisfactory. 

r.v  CAi'P.  w.   r.  K.\  ri.ii'i-. 

Although  tliL'  college  was  doing  well  and  the  faculty  was  not 
•com  ])laining  of  small  salaries,  the  time  came  when  it  was  obvious  to 
<'dl,  that  the  revenues  of  the  college  must  be  increased.  So  in  1881), 
the  Board  decided  to  make  an  effort  at  endownu-nt,  and  em])loye(l 
Dr.  J.  B.  (".ambrell  as  agent  to  get  it  up.  He  entered  the  held,  and 
Avith  the  aid  ol'  the  ])astors  aiul  others,  within  three  years  $60,000 
was  subscribed  ;  $4-(), 000  of  which  was  collected  before  the  terril)!;; 
panic  of  1893  came  on.  The  eonnlry  was  so  ])rostrated  by  that 
financial    maelstrom,  that  the  balance  of  the  subserii)tion  has  never 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1315 

been  collected.  But  the  $40,000  paid  in  and  invested  in  bonds,  has 
been  a  great  blessing  to  thecollege,  and  unites  Bro.  Gambrell's  name 
to  the  college  in  everlasting  remembrance. 

In  1892,  Dr.  W.  S.  Webb  resigned  the  presidencv  of  the  college 
after  eighteen  years'  efhcient  service,  through  some  of  the  most  trying- 
periods  of  the  college's  life.  No  mortal  can  estimate  the  amount  of 
good  Dr.  Webb  accomplished  for  the  \vorld  through  his  connection 
with  Mississippi  College.  There  are  to-day  many  men  at  home  and 
abroad  filling  places  of  great  importance  and  usefulness  whose  lives 
have  been  fashioned  in  a  large  degree  by  his  masterful  hand. 

Dr.  R.  A.  Venable,  an  alumnus  of  the  college,  was  elected  as 
Dr.  Webb's  successor.  He  proved  himself,  in  this  position,  as  he  has 
everywhere,  to  be  a  strong  man,  and  as  a  most  capable  instructor. 
He  did  much  toward  popularizing  the  institution  \vith  the  masses 
by  actively  canvassing  for  it,  and  delivering  a  great  numl^er  of  inter- 
esting and  effective  lectures  in  its  interest.  After  four  yeai-s  of  suc- 
cessful management,  he  resigned  the  presidency  of  the  college  to  enter 
the  more  congenial  field  of  the  pastorate.  On  Dr.  Venable's  resigna- 
tion. Dr.  J.  W.  Provinc,  professor  of  Natural  Science,  was  made  Chair- 
man of  the  Faculty,  and  was  after  the  second  year  elected  president. 
While  improvements  had  been  made  in  all  the  other  departments  of 
the  college,  ver3'  little  had  been  done  to  the  buildings.  Dr.  Provine 
at  once  entered  into  the  work  of  renovating  the  old  buildings  and 
making  such  changes  Jis  would  better  adapt  them  both  in  service 
and  looks,  to  the  ])urposes  for  which  they  are  used.  How  well  he 
performed  this  work,  a  visit  to  the  old  college  will  readih'  show. 
Ever^'  building  and  every  foot  of  grovmd  on  the  campus  tells  the 
same  stoiw  of  change  for  the  better.  During  his  administration  there 
Avas  raised  and  expended  on  the  college  in  improvements  more  than 
$8,000,  l)eing  largely  in  excess  of  all  that  has  been  made  since  the 
AVc'ir. 

Dr.  Provine  accei)ted  the  position  as  Chairman  of  the  Faculty  at 
the  earnest  solicitation  of  the  Board,  and  it  was  understood  all  the 
while  that  he  had  no  ambition  to  hi-  at  the  head  of  the  institution, 
but  much  preferred  a  ])rolV>so;-ship,  and  although  he  had  heen  elected 
pi-esident  Ijy  a  unanimous  vote  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  in  1897  he 
resigned  his  presidency  and  retu.Mcd  to  his  chair  of  Natural  Science. 
His  administrtition  was  in  every  waA'  a  success.  It  was  during  his 
term  that  one  year  the  college  boasted  of  a  surplus  in  the  treasury 
after  paying  all  expenses.  Just  as  the  college  had  become  self-sup- 
porting, another  great  trial  was   in   store  for  us.     This  time  it  was 


131G  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     IJAI'TISTS. 

Wdt  (lcl)t,  ])aiiics  or  sliorl  crops,  hut  iifstilciKV.  ( )ii  llic  ()tli  of  Scp- 
tciuUcr,  181)7,  yc-llow  lever  appeared  in  Ivdwards,  and  l)et()re  the  ciuT 
of  the  week  was  taken  to  Clinton.  Ahout  tliirty  students  had  as- 
sem1)Ied  on  the  eolle,t;e  grounds  in  ;idvanee  of  tlie  openin.y.  How  to 
protect  these  vouul;-  men  who  could  not  ,<.;et  away  from  Clinton  on 
account  ot  ri^id  (|uarantine  liecame  a  serious  (|uestion.  Thev  were 
placed  on  the  collejie  campus  and  (|uarantined  against  the  infected 
portion  of  the  town,  and  tents  ])rocu red  from  the  State  if  their  use 
became  necessary.  Through  the  active  exertions  of  the  president  of 
the  college  and  the  prudence  of  the  students  they  all  escaped  the 
scoui'.iit',  although  the  numl)er  of  cases  of  fever  in  the  town  reached 
nearly  one  hundred.  When  the  pestilence  sul)sided  in  November 
many  of  the  former  students  had  gone  to  other  schools,  and  some 
Avho  had  not,  were  afraid  to  come  to  Clinton.  The  attendance  was 
so  much  reduced,  and  the  resources  of  the  college  so  cut  dcnvn,  that 
disorganization  threatened  us.  .\gain  the  ([uestion  that  had  so  often 
arisen  in  the  past,  was  uj)  tor  settlement.  \\z:  What  can  wc  do  to 
meet  the  pending  danger  ?  As  soon  as  it  was  safe  to  do  so,  the  trus- 
tees were  called  together  and  a  joint  meeting  with  the  State  Board 
Avas  held,  when  it  was  decided  to  make  an  apjieal  to  the  denomina- 
tion and  friends  of  the  college  to  contribute  that  year  as  much  as 
,$,'{, 000  towards  college  support  and  to  ask  President  W.  T.  Lowrey, 
of  Blue  Mountain,  to  lead  the  movement.  The  I^ord  greatly  blessed 
the  effort  1)y  putting  it  into  the  heart  of  President  Lowrey  to  accept 
the  work,  and  into  the  hearts  of  the  people  to  give  the  amount 
needed.  $3,300,  and  the  session  closed  free  from  debt,  with  the 
faculty  ])aid.  Dr.  j.  \\'.  Pro\ine  having  tendered  his  resignation  as 
president  of  the  college.  Dr.  W.  T.  Lowrey  was  finally  induced  after 
much  solicitcition  on  the  part  of  the  trustees,  to  accept  the  presidency, 
and  entered  upon  his  duties  in  September,  1S98.  Although  the  yel- 
low fever  did  not  come  to  Clinton  that  year,  yet  as  it  jirevailcd  in 
both  Edwards  and  Jackson,  the  attendance  of  students  was  again 
greatly  interfered  with,  making  another  appeal  to  the  denomination 
necess.ary  for  college  su]i])ort.  The  brethren  res]ionded  nobh*  and 
iinother  hard  year  was  tided  over  successfully.  The  report  made  by 
the  trustees  to  the  convention  at  its  last  .session,  showed  that  in  the 
face  of  epidemics  of  yellow  fever,  small-]5ox  and  measles,  the  second 
year  of  President  I^owrey's  administration  closed  with  greatly  in- 
creased patronage  and  free  from  debt,  on  account  of  current  ex- 
penses. 

The  irreatcst  number  of  siudcnis    e\-er    enrolled  in  any  one    year, 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1317 

i(2ol))  MIX'  now  in  attciulaiifc  at  tlic  c<illci;«-" — and  tlic  iiistitulion  is 
■enjoying  grejit  j^rosperity  in  all  its  departments,  tor  which  let  us  all 
^Siive  vmceasing'  thanks  to  the  Lord. 

Before  closing  this  rejjorl.  already  long,  one  other  matter  shoiijd 
he  mentioned.  There  had  l»een  at  times,  in  the  i)ast  years  some  dis- 
cussion funong  the  Baptists  of  the  State  as  to  the  iiermanenl  location 
of  the  College  at  Clinton.  In  order  to  get  a  settlement  ol'  the  (pies- 
tion  a  committee  of  fifteen  jjcrsons  were  a])])ointed  1)_\'  the  Baptist 
State  Convention  in  ISO!',  to  incpiire  into  tlie  matter  and  report  to 
the  convention  ne.\t  _\ear.  The  committee  next  year  rejxjrted  the 
results  of  their  investigations,  hut  made  no  recommendations.  The 
convention  did,  however,  at  that  session,  p.ass  a  resolution  to  the 
eflect  that  if  the  city  of  Meridian  would  do  certain  things  in  the  way 
of  providing  giounds.  hnildings,  etc.,  that  they  would  mow  the 
college  from  Clinton  to  .Meridian.  The  citizens  of  Meridi.-tn  entered 
vigorouslv  uijon  the  work  of  meeting  the  re(piirements,  l)ut  wdien 
the  (picstion  arose  as  to  whether  the  college  could  lie  moved  Ironi 
Clinton  under  the  terms  on  which  it  h;id  hecii  received,  the  citizen-'' 
of  Meridian  withdrew  their  olfer  to  .-iceept  the  college  on  the  terms 
named  by  the  convention. 

^^'hen  the  contention  that  the  college  could  not  he  moved  from 
Clinton  became  known,  some  memliers  of  the  denomin.'i  lion  wlio 
were  friends  ot  the  college,  e.\])ressed  an  unwillingness  to  contribute 
to  the  further  endowmeiu  of  the  college  as  long  as  this  claim  held. 
Then  in  order  to  remove  everv  obstacle  in  the  w.av  of  the  hearty 
support  of  the  whole  denomination  in  the  St;ile.  the  citizens  of 
Clinton  by  the  execution  of  ])roper  ]japers,  sup])lemented  by  an 
iiniendment  to  the  charter,  freed  themselves  of  all  claims  or  title  to 
the  property,  placing  everything  connected  with  the  college  into  the 
hands  of  the  Baptist  State  Convention,  which  seems  to  be  satisfac- 
torv  to  all  parties.  But  while  we  have  ivmoved  all  difiicnlties  in  the 
way  of  the  college  so  tar  ;is  the  location  is  concerned,  there  still  re- 
mains one  serious  im])edimeni.  The  endowment  ot  the  college  is  in- 
sufticient.  The  institution  is  sell-supporting  only  when  the  condi- 
tions are  tavoraltle,  ;ind  we  cannot  aflord  to  hazard  its  usefulness  ou 
the  chance  of  our  always  being  ;ible  to  tide  it  over  the  ])erils  that 
■come  from  misfortune  to  the  country.  In  order  to  be  secure  from  the 
uncertainties  of  the  future  we  must  have  a  l;irger  endowment  wf 
money  and  property. 


History  of  Mississippi  Baptists, 


ART   111. 


HISTORY     i,F     Xt^SSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1321 


THE    FIRST    .MISSISSIPPI    BAPTIST    STATH    C(  )N  VHNTIOX. 

Ill  1820,  the  Pearl  River  and  linion  associations 
were  constituted  of  cliurches  of  the  old  Missississippi 
Association.  Eight  churches,  north  of  the  Honiochitto 
river,  in  1819,  were  .tir^mted  letters  of  dismissic^n  from 
the  Mississippi  Association,  to  form  the  Union  Associa- 
tion, and,  in  1820,  fourteen  churches  of  the  Mississippi 
conti,<iUOus  to  I'earl  river  formed  the  Pearl  River  Asso- 
ciation. 

These  three  ass(K'iations  wished  some  organic  tie 
to  Ijind  them  toii'ether,  and  to  ]:)reserve  a  community 
of  interest.  They  had  pioneer  work  to  do,  a  vast  ter- 
ritory to  supi)ly  with  churches,  and  thouij^ht  it  l^est  to 
keep  a  <i"eneral  survey  of  the  held  of  o])eration.  Conse- 
quently in  1822,  "an  orij^anization  intended  to  operate 
as  a  General  Association  "  was  formed.  It  seems  that 
at  hrst  the  body  was  no  more  than  a  .general  associa- 
tion of  those  most  interested  in  the  work,  without  ^i 
constitution  that  bound  the  associations  together  as 
integral  factors  of  the  body. 

In  1823,  the  I*earl  River  Association,  having  in  it 
such  strong  men  as  James  Thigpen,  X.  Robertson  and 
J.  P.Martin,  passed  preamble  ^md  resolution  which  de- 
signed a  close  relation  of  the  associations  in  the  gen- 
eral enterprise  for  the  })urpose  of  "  preserving  and  con- 
tinuing the  ties  of  lorotherly  love  and  union  between 
sister  associations, ■■  for  "the  ]u-opagation  of  the  pure 
doctrines  of  the  gospel,"  and  to  prevent  "innovations 
in  practice  and  heresies   in   doctrine.'"     Concentration 


1322  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

of  the  means  and  wisdom  of  the    associations  of  the- 
State  was  thought  to  be  a  thing  desirable. 

The  Union  Association  concurred  with  the  Pearl 
River  in  these  sentiments,  and  the  Mississippi  in  that 
3'ear  unanimously-  passed  the  following  resolution  : 

^'Resolved,  unanimously,  that  we  concur  with  the 
Pearl  River  and  Union  Associations,  in  appointing  faith- 
ful brethren  to  assist  in  forming  a  constitution,  for  the 
systematic  and  efficient  appropriation  of  your  talents 
in  the  great  concerns  of  religion,  and  that  D.  Cooper, 
E.  Estes,  J.  A.  Irion,  J.  Smith,  E.  Courtney,  S.  Alarsh, 
and  C.  Felder  be  our  delegates,  to  meet  with  those  of 
other  associations  at  BogueChitto church,  Pikecount\^ 
on  Saturday  before  the  third  Lord's  dav  in  Februarv, 
1824."         "  "  •       " 

In  1824,  the  thirteenth  item  of  business  of  the  Pearl 
River  Association  was  to  have  the  constitution  of  the 
State  Convention  read  and  on  motion  carried,  express- 
ing the  willingness  of  the  Association  to  become  a 
member  of  the  convention.  The  item  also  embraced 
the  appointment  of  delegates  to  the  convention,  con- 
sisting of  D.  Collins,  N.  Robertson,  J.  Thigpen,  N.  Mor- 
ris, J.  P.  Martin,  S.  Coaker,  and  David  Cleveland. 
That  3'ear  the  delegates  of  the  Mississippi  Association 
to  the  convention  were:  C.  Coaker,  E.  Courtney,  E. 
Estes,  S.  Marsh,  G.  A.  Irion,  C.  Felder  and  W.  Balfour. 
The  Mississippi  extended  to  the  convention  as  a  loan 
forDomisticinissions,  all  of  their  unappropriated  funds. 

In  1S25,  after  appointing  delegates  to  the  conven- 
tion, the  Mississippi  Association  expressed  "a deep  and 
lively  interest"'  in  the  institution,  but  with  regrets  that 
they  were  unable  to  help  the  convention  pecuniarily. 
The  Union  Association  appointed  as  delegates  to  meet- 
ing of  the  convention  to  be  held  that  year:     E.  Estes, 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1323 

H.  Baldwin,  D.  Griffin,  Elisha  Flowers,  J.  Baile3',  Joel 
Selman  and  J.  Burch,  and  ordained  that  their  surplus 
funds  be  turned  over  to  the  treasurer  of  the  convention. 
The  Pearl  River  Association  did  the  same  with  the  sur- 
plus in  their  treasur3\  The  meeting  of  the  convention 
that  year  was  with  the  Pearl  River  church,  Monticello, 
and  began  on  Friday  before  the  second  Sunday  in  No- 
vember. 

After  the  sermon  on  Sunday  embraced  in  the  meet- 
ing of  the  Mississippi  Association  in  1826  a  collection 
was  taken  for  Domestic  missions  amounting  to  $110.75, 
and  were  ordered  paid  over  to  the  treasurer  of  the 
Mississippi  Baptist  State  Convention  to  be  judiciously 
applied  to  the  object  designated.  Delegates  were  again 
appointed  to  the  convention,  and  a  like  action  taken  in 
1827. 

In  1828,  the  Pearl  River  Association  sent  te  repre- 
sent them  in  the  next  meeting  of  the  convention  :  J.  P. 
Martin,  D.  ColHns,  J.  H.  Newland,  H.  Runnels,  J.  Brake- 
field,  S.  Coaker,  and  Z.  Reeves.  The  Association 
passed  a  resolution  that  the  Sund^iy  collection  l^e  ap- 
propriated to  Home  missions  of  the  convention.  The 
collection  amounted  to  $93.37V2. 

In  1829,  David  Collins,  reported  to  the  Pearl  River 
Association  from  the  convention  that  at  the  last  meet- 
ing of  the  convention  it  was  resolved  "that  it  would 
be  more  for  the  glor\'  of  God,  and  more  fulh'  meet  the 
views  of  the  brethren  composing  the  several  associa- 
tions, that  said  convention  be  dissolved."  Each  asso- 
ciation was  requested  to  send  delegates  to  meet  at  the 
time  and  place  of  the  Mississippi  Association  for 
that  purpose.  The  Alississippi  Aassociation  appointed 
messengers  to  meet  in  the  body. 

It  seems  that  the  oreanization  of  that  convention 


1324-  JIISTOKY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

\Yas  preinature.  We  have  no  written  records  ot  its 
proceeding,  but  see  from  the  Minutes  of  the  old  asso- 
ciation that  the\'  do  some  missionary  Avork.  The 
organization  did  good.  It  did  preserve  "the  ties  of 
l)rotherly  love"'  until  the  new  associations  got  strong 
in  themselves,  and  al)le  to  occupy  their  fields    of  labor. 


THE    I'XITV    COXVEN'TIOX. 

Daring  the  first  half  century  of  the  existence  of  the 
Peiirl  River  Association,  the  body  had  in  it  some  men 
of  unusual  power  and  foresight.  They  were  from  Geor- 
gia and  Virginia  by  way  of  Georgia.  The  "  Three-Cut- 
Road"  from  Georgia  to  Natchez  threaded  their  terri- 
tory-, and  the  clear,  pearly  streams  and  perennial 
springs  of  pure  water  were  cap.tivating  to  emigrants 
from  the  hills  of  Georgiii. 

The  strong  men  ot  the  Pearl  River  Association,  in 
184cS,  sighed  for  greater  uniformity  ot  belief  among  Bap- 
tists of  the  State.  By  this  statement  is  meant,  that 
they  desired  a  uniform  creed  of  fjuth  among  the  asso- 
cicitions  and  churches,  and  so  expressed  themselves  in 
the  meeting  of  their  association  in  18-1-.S.  The\' adopted 
this  resolution : 

"  A'eso/ref/,  That  in  view  of  the  painful  division, 
Avhich,  in  some  ])arts  c^f  our  common  Zion,  have  grown 
out  of  a  diftcrence  of  articles  of  faith  adopted  l3y  difter- 
cnt  associations  and  churches,  this  Association  feels 
impressed  with  the  importance  and  utility  of  uniformity 
of  articles  upon  which  associations  are  constituted.'" 

The  Pearl  River  Association  resi)ecttully  recpiested 
the  other  associations  in  the  State  to  take  under  con- 
sideration the  wisdom  of  holdinti'  a  convention  to  fornt 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1825 

a  uniform  system  of  constitutions,  and  invited  them  to 
send  delegates  to  such  a  convention  to  be  held  at  Hope- 
well church,  Copiah  countj',  on  Saturday  before  the 
first  Sunday  in  August,  184-9.  T^'hey  proceeded  at  once 
to  name  their  delegates  to  such  a  convention. 

The  Mississippi  Association  cordially  approved  of 
the  object  of  the  convention,  and  appointed  a  commit- 
tee of  seven  select,  suitable  men  to  represent  that  body 
in  the  convention.  The  Mount  Pisgah  Association 
sent  a  delegation  of  eleven  to  the  convention,  among 
whom  were  William  Denson,  A.  Goss,  X.  L.  Clark,  L.P. 
Merrill,  and  I.  R.  Bass.  The  Union  Association  ap- 
pointed a  committee  of  four  as  a  delegation  to  the  con- 
vention, consisting  of  AI.  T.  Conn,  \Vm.  F.  Green, 
Stephen  Tillman  and  V.  W.  Brock.  The  I'nion  Associa- 
tion entered  two  objections  to  the  movement,  the 
churclies  and  associations  had  their  articles  of  faith, 
which  they  had  a  right  to  retain ;  and,  the  course  sug- 
gested l^y  the  Pearl  River  might  engender  strife. 

The  Central  Association,  then  strong  in  men  of  cul- 
ture and  thought,  delivered  itself  at  length  on  the  pro- 
ject through  a  committee,  which  had  William  Carey 
Crane  as  chairman.  It  was  admitted  that  uniformit}^ 
of  opinion  was  highly  desirable,  and  that  agreement  in 
religious  views  would  promote  Christian  zeal,  but  the 
Association  entered  six  objections  to  the  pro]30sed 
scheme;  first,  the  churches  had  not  l)een  consulted; 
second,  hostilities  might  be  engendered;  third,  annual 
discussions  of  the  -matter  in  the  Association  would 
create  hostile  parties  ;  fourth,  the  difficulty  that  would 
be  experienced  in  getting  a  good  and  just  representa- 
tion of  the  associations;  fifth,  that  histor}-  shows  that 
such  efibrts  at  uniformity  of  articles  ot  faith  has  created 
discord :   and  sixth,  the   historv  of  our   denomination 


1326  PTISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

showed  that  such  efforts  are  unwise,  as  w-e  are  general 
and  particular,  united  and  separate  Baptists. 

The  Minutes  of  the  Pearl  River  Association  of  1849 
speak  of  the  meeting-  of  the  convention  as  satisfactory, 
and  the  articles  of  faith  adopted  are  given  in  their  rec- 
ords. The  Mount  Pisgah  Association  adopted  about 
the  same  declaration.  They  are  in  keeping  with  the 
New  Hampshire  declaration  of  faith.  The  articles  of 
all  the  associations  and  churches  of  the  State  are  about 
the  same,  and  are  the  New  Hampshire  confession  either 
in  substance  or  form. 

What  this  convention  accomplished,  it  is  hard  to 
ascertain,  beyond  the  fact  that  the  Pearl  River  Associa- 
tion secured  articles  of  faith  that  were  to  them  satis- 
factory. 

o 

(iRNERAL  ASSOCIATIOX  OF  NORTH  MISSISSIPPI. 

A  call  for  a  meeting  of  a  convention  at  Oxford, 
Miss.,  Nov.  4, 1859,  appeared  in  several  numbers  of  the 
Mississippi  Baptist  of  that  year.  The  design  of  the 
proposed  meeting  was  the  organization  of  a  convention, 
or  General  Association  of  Baptists  of  North  Mississi])pi. 
The  organization  was  thought  necessary-  for  the  de- 
veloiDment  of  the  large  resources  of  that  part  of  the 
State.  In  the  constituting  convention,  each  associa- 
tion, and  each  church,  was  to  be  allowed  a  delegate  for 
every  100  members.  The  institution  was  to  have  no 
money  l^asis.  The  call  was  signed  by  William  Carey 
Crane,  Moses  Granberry,  James  G.  Hall,  George  C. 
Granberry,  W.  R.  Butler,  John  B.  Herring,  J.  C.  Caroth- 
ers,  H.  D.  Pettus,  John  M.  Rogers,  Robert  Payne,  E. 
L.  Crutcher,  Robert  J.  Alcorn,  T.  P.  Manning  and 
Lemuel  Farrar.    ' 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1327 

In  the  inception  of  the  enterprise,  it  was  thought 
Ihat  William  Crane  was  the  great  promoter  of  the  pro- 
posed innovation.  Its  projection  \vas  regarded  as  an 
effort  for  the  furtherance  of  personal  issues,  and  so  char- 
acterized by  J.  T.  Freeman,  editor  of  the  Mississippi 
Baptist,  in  a  leader  in  his  paper.  Wm.  Care^-  Crane, 
A\^as  president  of  Semple  Broadus  College  at  Center 
Hill,  near  the  northern  boundary  of  the  State,  and  a 
new  Baptist  paper  had  just  begun  publication  in  Mem- 
phis, Tenn.  It  looked  as  if,  the  organization  meant 
opposition  to  Alississippi  College  and  the  Mississippi 
Baptist,  in  fact,  to  the  State  Convention,  and  its  enter- 
prises. 

The  editor  of  the  Mississippi  B^iptist,  after  a  free 
and  full  talk  with  Crane,  confessed  that  he  had  done 
him  an  injustice.  The  new  bod}-  Avas  to  be  co-ordinate, 
and  to  affiliate  with  the  State  Convention,  and  to  sup- 
port the  State  paper.  It  was  claimed  that  Mississippi 
College  was  not  strictly  Mississippi^m,  as  it  sought 
patronage  from  Louisiana,  and  Semple  Broadus  Col- 
lege proposed  likewise  to  seek  patronage  in  West  Ten- 
nessee and  Arkansas.  Nevertheless,  the  editor  of  the 
Mississippi  Baptist  had  tenal^le  grounds  for  his  appre- 
hensions. 

It  was  asserted  in  support  of  the  proposed  organi- 
zation that  Tennessee  Baptists  had  three  general  bodies 
^vith  the  same  design,  Georgia  two,  and  \'irginia  three, 
and  that  Mississippi  might  have  two,  one  of  which  was 
to  be  operative  where  no  general  body  of  Baptists  had 
any  influence.  The  objections  urged  against  the  move- 
ment were:  First,  that  it  diminished  the  Baptist  in- 
fluence in  the  State  by  dividing  them  into  small  bodies  ; 
second,  that  it  would  divert  interest  from  our  State 
College;  and,  lastly,  that  the  interests  of  the  two  con- 


■132.S  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Tcntions  would  conflict.  J.  J.  Sledge,  of  North  Alissis- 
sip}ji  vigorously  opposed  the  launching  of  the  new  in- 
stitution. 

But  on  Xoveml)er  4-,  1859,  delegates  to  the  consti- 
tuting convention  were  in  Oxford  and  read^^for  labors. 
An  introductory  sermon  Avas  preached  by  A.  C.  Caper- 
ton,  then  of  Grenada,  from  II  Peter  3:18.  William 
Carey  Crane  called  the  bod}'  to  order,  and  had  a  mo- 
tion passed  that  James  Dennis  be  appointed  modera- 
tor, and  T.  P.  Manning,  clerk.  Credentials  from  the 
different  churches  and  associations  were  called  for.  The 
following  associations  were  represented  b\^  delegates ; 
Zion,  YalolDusha,  Panola,  Aberdeen,  Judson  and  Cold 
Water;  also  the  following  churches:  Grenada,  Pleas- 
ant Grove,  Clear  Creek,  Center  Hill,  Nonconnar,  Cold 
Water,  Hernando,  Cherry  Creek,  and  Lil^erty.  A  com- 
mittee of  seven  Avas  appointed  to  draft  a  constitution 
and  liy-laws. 

There  \vas  considerable  discussion  c'ls  to  the  second 
article  of  their  constitution,  but,  after  amendment,  it 
was  adopted.  That  article  referred  to  the  character  ot 
the  constituency  of  the  bod}-.  The  constitution  was 
composed  of  nine  articles — ten  lashes  minus  one,  and 
was  adopted,  article  b\'  article,  after  \vhich  rules  of 
order  were  also  adopted. 

The  first  article  of  the  constitution  provided  that 
the  name  of  the  new  organization  should  be  the  "  5a/j- 
t/st  General  Association  of  North  Mississippi.""  This 
new  general  body  \vas  organized  b}-  the  election  of  H. 
B.  Hayward,  moderator,  James  Dennis  and  Martin 
Ball,  associate  moderators,  W.  C.  Crane,  correspond- 
ing secretary,  M.  Granberry,  treasurer,  and  T.  P.  Man- 
ning, recording  secretary-.  Their  Board  of  Managers 
consisted   of  H.  B.  Havward,  G.  C.  Granberrv,  A.    C 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1329' 

Caperton,  H.  X.  Bingham,  J.  G.  Hall,  L.  Aldridge,  W. 
C.  Eggleston,  M.  Graiibem',  C.  C.  Conner,  F-  L.  Sew- 
ard, A.  J.  Seale,  W.  Dtiptn-,  and  W.  J.  Thomas.  This 
Board  was  located  in  Grenada. 

On  motion,  it  was  agreed  to  correspond  with  the 
Baptist  State  Convention,  and  to  co-operate  with  the 
Board  of  Domestic  Missions  then  located  in  Marion, 
Alabama. 

It  was  asserted  at  the  time  that  the  new  organiza- 
tion began  life  under  favoraljle  auspices.  Its  chief  de- 
sign was  to  do  inissionarv'  work,  to  occupy  the  vast 
destitution  in  their  territory.  William  Carey  Crane 
left  the  State  early  in  1860.  He  had  great  influence- 
among  the  Baptists  of  the  State  in  that  day,  and  was- 
honored  by  them  in  being  placed  in  positions  of  great 
importance. 

Their  first  annual  session  was  held  in  Grenada,  be- 
ginning November  2,  1860.  J.  F.  B.  Mays  of  South 
Carolina,  was  with  them,  and  gave  them  "a  short  and 
impressive  discourse"'  on,  "Thy  Kingdom  Come.'  The 
former  moderator  was  re-elected,  William  Minter,  and 
James  Dennis  were  chosen  associate  moderators,  A.  C. 
Caperton,  corresponding  secretary,  D.  A.  Holman^ 
clerk,  and  Aloses  Granberry,  treasurer. 

The  report  of  the  Executive  Board  was  a  good  docu- 
ment. Correspondence  had  been  instituted  with  the 
Domestic  Mission  Board  as  to  co-operation,  and  a 
favorable  response  received  as  to  theeinplo\'mentof  M» 
Ball,  conjoint^,  as  their  general  missionary.  The  la- 
mented death  of  M.  Ball  thwarted  their  plans,  and 
nothing  was  done. 

The  General  Association  had  an  inviting  field  of" 
labor,  covering  an  area  of  about  25,000  square  miles-. 
"teeming  with  a   populat^'on  of  not  less  than  300,000 


1330  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

souls,"  among  whom  were  20,000  Baptists,  and  about 
a  dozen  district  associations,  Coahoma,  BoHvar,  Sun- 
flower, Washington  and  Isaquena  counties,  the^'  con- 
sidered in  their  territory,  counties,  "the  garden  spot  of 
the  whole  cotton  growing  region,"  and  "unsurpassed 
the  whole  world  for  productiveness,"  iindthe  bod^'was 
organized  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  such  places  of 
destitution. 

Their  report  of  linance  showed  that  the  amount  of 
$299.25  had  been  received  from  Domestic  missions,  and 
$447.50  pledged  for  this  object.  The  following  pre- 
amble and  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted: 

"Whereas,  There  is  great  want  of  information 
throughout  our  countrj-  relative  to  our  peculiar  views 
as  a  denomination,  and. 

Whereas,  We  have  \vorks  of  a  cheap  character 
that  are  calculated  to  enlighten  the  pulilic  mind  on 
these  subjects ;  and, 

Whereas,  The  Mississippi  Baptist  Bible  and  Col- 
portage  Society  has  for  its  object  the  dissemination  of 
the  Bible,  and  our  standard  denominational  works  and 
literature,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  we  most  heartily  approve  of  the 
objects  of  the  society  ;  first,  that  we  will  use  our  in- 
fluence and  means  in  the  promotion  of  its  objects;  and, 
second,  that  we  welcome  our  brother,  W.  M.  Farrar, 
the  general  superintendent,  to  our  churches,  and  to  our 
homes." 

The  Civil  War  was,  in  1861,  a  painful  fact.  Even 
our  State  denominational  paper  teamed  with  news  as 
to  the  early  operations  of  our  arms.  All  religious  work 
\vas  frustrated,  and  little  accomplished  at  the  meeting 
of  our  general  bodies.  The  General  Association  of 
North  Mississipi^i  felt  this  paralyzing  effect  of  the  Civil 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1331 

War.  On  November  8,  1S61,  a  ver^v  few  delegates  to 
this  boch^  met  at  Okolona.  L.  Ball,  by  request,  preached 
their  opening  sermon,  and  W.  S.  Webl)  preached  at 
night.  The  delegation  was  still  small,  and  the  organ- 
ization of  the  body  deferred  until  the  next  day. 

At  9  a.  m.  Saturday  morning,  the  General  Associa- 
tion made  another  attempt  at  organization.  On  mo- 
tion of  L.  Ball,  W.  S.  Webb  was  asked  to  act  as  moder- 
ator, and  A.  J,  Scale,  as  clerk,  L.  Ball  offered  the 
following  resolutions,  which  were  adopted  : 

''  Resolved,  first,  That  the  officers,  board  of  managers, 
and  appointees,  elected  at  the  session  of  1860,  be  I'e- 
quested  to  act  the  ensuing  j^ear;  seco72c/,  that  the  Board 
of  Managers  be  instructed  to  appoint  the  next  place  of 
meeting ;  third,  that  the  Mississippi  Baptist  and  the 
Tennessee  Baptist  be  requested  to  publish  these  pro- 
ceedings." 

This  small  meeting  was  the  last  of  the  Baptist  Gen- 
eral Association  of  North  Mississippi.  "So  mote  it 
be."  The  Civil  War  did  Mississippians  some  good 
turns.  Without  serious  interference  this  body  would 
have  enjoyed  a  thrifty  life.  It  had  vast  territory  in 
which  was  much  destitution,  and  the  constituency  of 
the  Association  were  men  of  Stirling  worth,  of  great 
grace,  and  of  increasing  wealth.  But  man  proposes, 
and  God  disposes. 


GENERAI.     BAPTIST     ASSOCIATION    OF    SOUTHERN     MISSIS- 
SIPPI  AND   EASTERN   LOUISIANA. 

In  1871,  S.  S.  Rah-ea  was  at  the  meeting  of  the 
Pearl  River  Association.  He  was  there  for  a  purpose. 
He  was  not  an  ordinary  man,  and  did  not  roam  around 
aimlessly.     He  was  a  man  of  thought  and  point.     He 


1332  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

went  to  the  Pearl  River  with  a  eorrespondeiiee  in  hand 
from  the  Missionary  Board  of  the  Eastern  Louisiana 
Association  and  the  Executive  Boards  of  the  Missis- 
sippi and  the  Mississippi  River  associations.  These 
were  missionary  bodies,  whose  field  of  effort  covered 
South  Mississippi  and  Eastern  Louisiana,  or  the  part 
of  that  State  east  of  the  Mississippi  river.  His  mission, 
therefore,  was  as  to  missions. 

The  Pearl  River  Association  appointed  a  committee 
to  report  on  the  communication,  consisting  of  James 
Newman,  J.  E.  Pounds,  W.  H.  Bailey,  N.  Robertson  and 
A.  Goss.  This  was  a  strong  committee.  It  recom- 
mended that  the  Association  appoint  a  delegation  to 
meet  a  representation  of  these  bodies  referred  to  above 
in  convention. 

In  response  to  this  suggestion,  a  delegation  from 
Mississippi,  Mississippi  River,  Eastern  Louisiana,  and 
Pearl  River  associations  met  in  Summit,  October  7, 
1871,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  general  associa, 
tion  for  Southern  Mississippi  and  Eastern  Louisiana. 
There  were  forty-three  delegates  in  the  convention, 
representing  four  associations  and  sixteen  individual 
churches.  Among  the  representatives  were  such  familiar 
names  as,  S.  A.  Hayden,  W.  E.  T\aies,  S.  S.  Ralvea, 
W.  W.  Bolls,  W.  Z.  Lea,  S.  Buffkin^  C.  H.  Otken,  and 
Moses  Jackson. 

The  assembly  was  organized  b}-  calling  Peter  Tur- 
ner to  the  chair,  and  asking  C.  H.  Otken  to  act  as  clerk 
pro  teni.  After  the  report  of  the  committee  on  creden- 
tials, S.  S.  Ralyea  explained  the  object  of  the  meeting, 
and  the  end  to  be  accomplished  by  a  General  Associa- 
tion. A  committee  of  five  was  appointed  to  draft  a 
constitution,  and  present  it  to  the  body  lor  adoption, 
which  committee,  after  a  short  interval,  reported.    The 


HISTORY     OF     MISSIvSSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1333 

constitution  presented  by  them  was  adopted  in  whole, 
and  the  body  permanently  organized  l^y  the  election  of 
S.  S.  Ralyea,  president:  Peter  Turner,  first  vice-presi- 
dent: S.  Bufikin,  second  vice-president;  C.  H.  Otken, 
recording  secretai'v  :  W.  W.  Bolls,  corresponding  secre- 
tary; and  W.  Z.  Lea,  treasurer. 

The  presence  of  James  Nelson  at  the  General  Asso- 
ciation was  felt  and  appreciated.  The  l)ody  had  no 
war  to  declare  against  Mississippi  College,  nor  Minis- 
terial Education.  It  was  organized  for  the  furtherance 
of  missions  in  their  l)ounds,  and  not  in  antagonism  to 
the  convention.     This  resolution  Avas  adopted  : 

"'Resolved,  That  Brother  James  Xelson,  represent- 
ing the  interest  of  Ministerial  Education,  in  connection 
with  Mississippi  College,  is  hereb\^  cordially  invited  to 
a  seat  in  the  General  Association,  and  to  a  ])articipa- 
tion  in  the  deliberations." 

A  Board  of  Managers  consisting  of  twenty  members 
was  appointed.  On  this  Board  were  Dr.  A.  J.  Going, 
Dr.  T.J.  Everett,  Dr.  J.  R.  Sample,  E.  B.  McLain,  and 
other  noted  laymen  in  that  section  of  country.  The 
Board  had  a  high  mission  to  perform,  which  called  for 
the  service  of  some  of  their  best  men. 

The  General  Association  invited  correspondence 
from  the  Mississippi  State  Convention,  Louisiana  State 
Convention,  and  district  associations. 

The  General  Association  began  life  well.  The  first 
session  was  spirited,  and  plans  for  future  work  consid- 
ered. The  Board  of  Managers  was  asked  to  appoint 
an  agent  to  survey  the  field,  and  to  have  him  report  at 
their  meeting  on  the  6thof  November,  in  Liberty,  Amite 
county,  where  the  Board  was  domiciled. 

Their  second  session  was  held  in  the  city  of  Jackson, 
Louisiana,   beginning  April  19,  1872.    The   officers  o 


1334  HISTORA"     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS, 

the  previous  session  were  re-elected.  There  were  thirty- 
six  delegates  in  attendance.  Only  three  associations 
had  delegations  at  this  meeting. 

The  Board  of  Managers  appointed  at  the  last  ses- 
sion had  a  long  and  interesting  report  before  the  Gen- 
eral Association.  S.  S.  RaWea  had  been  appointed  to 
give  his  entire  time  as  a  general  agent.  The  first  work 
they  did  was  to  survey  the  field  of  eifort,  as  the\^  had 
been  instructed  to  do.  The  principal  points  requiring 
their  attention  were  in  the  parishes  of  St.  Helena,  Liv- 
ingston, Ascension,  East  Baton  Rouge,  and  West 
Feliciana  in  Louisiana,  and  in  Wilkinson  and  Adams 
counties  in  Mississippi. 

The  services  of  O.  L.  Johnson  were  secured  for  labor 
in  St.  Helena  parish.  He  raised  his  salary  on  the  field. 
J.  L.  Simpson  labored  in  Livingston  parish,  where  he 
was  well  known,  and  did  acceptable  work.  W.  H.  F, 
Edwards  was  their  missionary  in  East  Baton  Rouge 
parish.  There  was  much  destitution  in  that  parish.  In 
Ascension  parish  the  population  was  mostly'  Catholic, 
but  approachable,  and  man3'  favorable  to  Baptist  sen- 
timents and  principles.  There  were  only  three  Baptist 
qhurches  in  the  parish  which  were  not  strong.  In  West 
Feliciana  there  was  not  a  Baptist  church.  In  Baton 
Rouge  there  were  a  few  Baptists,  and  no  church.  In 
Natchez  there  was  a  feeble  church  with  a  good  meeting 
house,  but  no  preaching.  The  last  mentioned  places 
were,  a  little  later,  occupied  by  the  State  Mission 
Board  of  our  convention,  and  we  have  good  churches 
in  them  now. 

In  Brookhaven  there  was  a  church  without  a  meet- 
ing house.  C.  H.  Otken  that  j'ear  preached  to  them 
with  good  effect.  In  Magnolia  was  a  struggling  inter- 
est, and  in  Tangipahoa  Station  there  was  no  interest 
of  any  kind. 


HISTORY    OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1335 

This  statement  shows  the  needs  of  the  field  occupied 
by  this  new  organization.  Their  Board  did  not  have 
funds  to  undertake  extensive  work.  The  general  agent, 
S.  S.  Ralyea,  could  but  aid  the  laborers  to  secure  a  sal- 
ary on  their  fields.  Their  movements  ^vere  in  perfect 
harmonj'  with  the  Boards  of  the  associations.  They 
received  for  their  work  $699.25.  This  sum  would  not 
amount  to  much  when  divided  between  their  mission- 
aries. 

The  item  next  in  importance  was  their  report  on 
Female  Education.  Charles  H.  Otken  and  Thomas  R. 
Stockdale  were  on  this  standing  committee.  The  com- 
mittee had  met  in  the  Summit  Baptist  church  on  Feb- 
ruary 24,  1872.  They  decided  that  the  Bai)tists  of 
South  Mississippi  and  East  Louisiana  should  have  a 
female  school  of  high  order.  It  was  argued  that  if 
Baptists  did  not  occupy  the  field,  others  would.  The 
financial  condition  of  the  country  would  justify-  the 
beginning  of  the  work  at  once,  and  Summit  was  recom- 
mended as  the  place  to  locate  the  institution  of  learn- 
ing. The  report  w-as  well  discussed,  and  unanimously 
adopted. 

Their  third  annual  session  was  held  in  Liberty, 
Amite  countj^  beginning  April  18,  1873.  The  intro- 
ductorv"  sermon  was  preached  by  W.  E.  Tynes.  The 
body  was  composed  of  fift\'-four  delegates,  which  were 
from  three  associations  and  the  State  Convention.  The 
corresponding  and  recording  secretaries  and  treasurer 
were  re-elected.  Aloses  Jackson  was  chosen  president, 
O.  L.  Johnson  first  vice-president,  and  W.  W.  Bolls, 
second  vice-president. 

The  Board  of  Managers  reported  that  W.  W.  Bolls 
had  been  continued  as  missionary  in  Wilkinson  countj^. 
The  church  at  Percv's  Creek  had   been   greatlv  revived. 


133G  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

and  was  having  preaching  twice  a  month,  or  on  two 
Sabbaths  in  the  month.  L.  Scofield  had  been  lal)oring 
•  at  Spring  Hill,  and  R.  H.  Purser  had  given  one-fourth 
of  his  time  to  the  field  on  the  Homochitto  river,  J.  L. 
Simpson  had  l3een  untiring  in  his  labors  in  Eastern 
Louisiana  Association,  and  had  done  a  good  work. 
<).  L.  Johnson  had  been  continued  as  missionary  in  St. 
Helena  parish.  He  had  organized  Rocky  Creek  church. 
AV.  E.  Tynes  had  been  at  Tangipahoa  Station  for  one- 
fourth  time.  E.  C.  Eager  had  been  at  Brookhaven. 
Tlie  church  was  much  encouraged.  The\'  had  regularly 
held  fifteen  different  stations. 

Under  the  head  of  their  report  on  schools  and  col- 
leges, we  find  that  the  Baptist  Educational  Society  of 
South  Mississippi  and  East  Louisiana  was  organized 
on  December  4,  1871.  E.  C.  Eager  was  emplo3^ed  to 
canvass  the  field  in  behalf  of  the  female  school  tit  Sum- 
nut.  He  was  well  known  in  Mississippi,  where  for 
years  he  had  l^een  a  most  successful  agent  for  Missis- 
■sippi  College,  and  the  Bible  cause.  He  was  encouraged 
in  this  work. 

The  report  on  schools  and  colleges  was  satisfactor- 
ily discussed  l3\'  Col.  Thomas  B.  Stockdale  and  J.  R. 
'Graves.  After  the  report  was  adopted,  the  body  had  a 
genuine  sensation — Airs.  Elulia  Bates  "came  forward 
Avith  a  donation  of  $5,000.00  to  the  Summit  Female 
College,  on  condition  that  v$15,000.00  should  be  raised 
independent  of  the  Summit  donation."  "  The  liand  of 
Divine  Providence"  was  seen  in  the  proposition,  and 
the  sincere  thanks  of  the  body  extended  to  the  generous 
■donor. 

The  amount  received  from  various  sources  for  their 
•own  work  in  the  field  was  the  splendid  sum  of  $2,- 
o61.65,  and  the  total  amount  for  all  purposes  was 
33,026.65. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1337 

In  1874-,  the  G^ii-^ral  Association  was  again  held  in 
Summit.  It  received  a  heart\'  welcome,  and  well  it 
might.  It  had  in  it  men  ot  power,  who  would  have 
graced  any  body  of  men  in  the  land.  Charles  H.  Otken 
was  made  president,  S.  S.  Ralyea,  corresponding  secre- 
tary-, W.  E.  Tynes,  recording  secretary,  W.  Z.  Lea,  ' 
treasurer,  O.  L.  Johnson,  first  vice-president,  and  \V.\V. 
Bolls,  second  vice-pi"esident.  Their  Board  of  Managers 
Avas  composed  of  Aloses  Jackson,  H.  H.  Ratcliff,  W.  Z. 
Lea,  E.  B.  McLean,  E.  G.  Wicker,  Robt.  S.  McLean, 
and  C.J.  Xaul.  The  l)ody  had  in  it  only  twent\'-seven 
delegates.  James  Xelson,  W.  S.  Webb  and  J.  A.  Hackett 
Avere  with  them  rej)resenting  general  denominational 
interests. 

Among  the  prominent  men  in  the  Association  were: 
W.  E.  Tynes,  S.  S.  Ralyea,  S.  A.  Hayden,  O.L.  Johnson, 
E.  C.  Eager,  C.  H.  Otken  and  cithers. 

The  report  of  the  Board  ot  Managers  was  rather 
discouraging.  The  past  year  had  been  one  of  unpre- 
cedented trials.  Their  corresponding  secretary  had 
collected  very  little  money.  Over  a  large,  portion  of 
their  territory  there  had  been  a  failure  of  crops.  All 
their  secretary  could  do  was  to  supply  the  destitute 
stations.  At  Brookhaven,  a  meeting  house  had  been 
built  and  paid  for.  '  R.  H.  Purser  was  still  laboring  on 
the  Homochitto  river,  and  W.  E.  Tynes  was  in  Amite 
CitA'.  J.  L.  Simpson  was  laboring  in  Bayou  Barbary, 
Livingston  parish,  and  C.  E.  Reed  was  iii  the  eastern 
part  of  the  parish.  S.  C.  Kirkland  was  in  Ascension 
parish  vigoroush'  at  work. 

The  report  on  Female  Education  was  short  and 
tame.  Circumstances  were  such  that  E.  C.  Eager  had 
to  abandon  his  woi'k  as  financial  agent' for  their  college, 
and  S.  S.  Ralyea,  at   his   own   charges,  could   do  little 


133S  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Avork  in  his  stead.  Yet  the3'  were  quite  hopeful,  and 
confident  of  final  success  in  their  school  enterprise. 

B}^  resolution  Mississippi  College  was  warml\'  en- 
dorsed, and  a  delegation  sent  to  attend  the  annual 
commencement  exercises  of  that  year.  The  delegation 
consisted  of  S.  S.  Rah-ea,  B.  B.  Barnett,  W.  W.  Bolls, 
and  O.  L.  Johnson.  An  effort  was  contemplated  of 
moving  the  college  to  AlcComb  City. 

In  item  20,  of  the  proceedings  of  the  bod_v  in  1874, 
we  see  that  J.  A.  Hackett  was  invited  to  speak  on  the 
Avork  of  the  State  Mission  Board  of  the  Mississippi 
Baptist  State  Convention.  Messengers  were  then  ap- 
pointed to  the  next  meeting  of  the  State  Convention. 

Later  in  the  session  resolutions  were  adopted  bj^ 
the  General  Association  on  "co-operation."  It  may 
not  be  amiss  to  give  them,  as  they  indicate  the  trend 
of  affairs  in  the  bodA'.  If  the  convention  had  anj-thing 
that  Avould  meet  the  necessities  of  their  field  of  labor, 
the  Alississippi  Baptists  among  them  would  turn  their 
eyes  in  that  direction.     We  give  the  resolutions  : 

^^  Resolved,  first,  That  this  body  listened,  with  deep 
interest,  tO  the  remarks  of  J.  A.  Hackett,  chairman  of 
the  Board  of  Home  Missions  of  the  Mississippi  Baptist 
State  Convention,  and  Ave  cordially  reciprocate  the 
kind  feelings  exj^ressed,  and  the  disposition  evinced  to 
Avork  in  harmony  in  our  common  missionary-  Avork. 

''  Resolved,  second.  That  aa-c  request  the  Board  of 
Managers  to  take  into  consideration  the  desirableness 
of  entering  more  directly  into  co-operation  Avith  the 
Board  of  the  State  Convention  in  the  prosecution  of 
its  mission  work." 

The  General  Association  adjourned  to  meet  on  Fri- 
day before  the  tjiird  Sunday  in  April,  1875,  at  the  place 
that  was  to  be  designated  by  the  Board  of  Managers. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1339 

The  future  of  the  General  Association  depended 
largely  upon  the  wisdom  of  the  Board  of  Managers. 
In  1875,  resolutions  were  adopted  b3^  the  State  Con- 
vention which  were  satisfactor3^  to  the  friends  of  the 
General  Association,  and  a  coalition  formed  of  the  two 
bodies.     Here  are  the  resolutions : 

1.  ^'Resolved,  That  this  convention  heartily  en- 
dorse the  action  of  the  State  Mission  Board  in  propos- 
ing to  the  General  Association  of  South  Mississippi  and 
East  Louisiana  that  thcA'  merge  into  and  become  a 
part  of  the  territory  of  this  convention. 

2.  Resolved,  That  we  cordialh^  and  affectionately 
invite  our  brethren  of  South  Alississippi  and  East  Loui- 
siana to  participate  in  the  privileges,  and  unite  in  the 
^vork  of  this  convention. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  Nominations 
be  instructed  to  nominate  thirty  brethren  to  compose 
the  State  Mission  Board  ;  and  that  each  section  of  the 
territory  have  representation  on  the  Board." 


GENERAL    ASSOCIATION    OF    REGUL.\R  .  BAPTISTS   OF    THE 
STATE    OF   MISSISSIPPI. 

The  Alount  Pisgah  Association  met  with  the  Line 
Creek  church,  Scott  county,  on  the  first  day  of  October, 
1853.  The  most  important  action  of  the  body  at  that 
session  was  the  raising  of  a  committee  to  write  an  ad- 
dress to  the  associations  of  Southeast  Mississippi  as 
"to  the  importance,  necessity,  and  expediency-  of  form- 
ing a  general  association  of  Baptists  in  Southeastern 
Mississippi." 

The  committee  expressed  itself  thus  : 

1.  "We  are  convinced  of  the  importance,  expedi- 
ency, and  practicability  of  said  measure. 


1340  HISTORY     OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

2.  In  order  to  eftect  this  object,  we  recommend  that 
a  convention  of  delegates  from  churches,  associations, 
bible  and  missionary  societies  of  our  faith  and  order, 
be  held  with  Bethel  church,  Newton  county,  (about 
twelve  miles  southwest  of  Decatur)  on  Friday-  before  the 
fourth  Lord's  Dav  in  October,  1854." 

The  committee  sent  an  address  to  the  Harmony, 
Mt.  Pisgah,  Pearl  River,  Biloxi,  Ebenezer,  Liberty,  and 
Bethlehem  Associations,  pleading  for  "a  more  close  and 
efficient  co-operation  of  Baptists  of  Southeastern  Mis- 
sissippi'" in  the  spread  of  the  gospel.  The  design  of  the 
General  Association  was  to  be  the  promotion  of  Domes- 
tic missions  in  the  part  of  the  State  referred  to,  the 
spread  of  the  gospel  among  the  Indians  and  Foreign 
missions  in  all  parts  of  the  world.  Also  "  to  advance 
the  cause  of  Sundav  schools  as  well  as  the  cause  of  edu- 
cation generally.'" 

Before  proceeding  further  in  the  formulation  of  the 
historv  made  by  this  bod^",  it  is  deemed  best  to  give  a 
written  statement  made  b}-  N.  L.  Clark,  as  to  the  early 
doings  of  the  General  Association.  He  is  highly  trust- 
worthy, and  w'as  an  eye  witness  of  the  early  move- 
ments of  the  institution. 

''The  proposition  to  organize  the  general  association 
originated  with  the  churches  of  the  Mt.  Pisgah  Asso- 
ciation in  the  year  1854.  The  first  meeting  for  that 
object  was  held  in  the  fall  of  that  year  by  delegates 
from  that  Association  and  others.  This  meeting  was 
held  with  the  Bethel  church,  Newton  county,  Missis- 
sippi. Great  harmony  prevailed  in  this  convention, 
and  it  was  resolved  that  such  an  organization  of  gen- 
eral character  would  greatly  facilitate  the  work  of 
Christian  benevolence  in  east  and  southeastern  parts  of 
the  State,  to  reach  which  was  the  grand  end   of  the 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  13-i  1 

organization.  Prudence,  though,  suggested  the  pro- 
priet3^  of  time  for  reflection,  and  it  was  agreed  that  the 
convention  adjourn  to  meet  at  the  same  time  and  place 
next  year  to  complete  the  organization.  The  conven- 
tion met  according  to  adjounment,\Yas  large  and  enthu- 
siastic. Likely  the  exact  date  of  the  organization  is  lost. 
I  put  it  about  the  middle  of  November,  1855.  At  this 
meeting  the  body  was  formed,  and  on  the  constitution 
that  is  printed  in  the  Minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
body  each  3^ear.  This  was  clearly  a  missionary  organiza- 
tion and  especially  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  State. 
It  is  true  that  we  encouraged  the  Foreign  mission 
work  ;  and  collected  and  forwarded  funds  for  that  pur- 
pose. Vet  our  great  aim  was  Domestic  and  Indian 
missions.  The  presiding  officers  of  the  body  before  the 
war  were :  Joseph  Morris,  L.  P.  Murrell  and  N.  L. 
Clarke;  secretaries,  W.  J.  Morris,  and  Benjamin  Thig- 
pen.  Our  efforts  to  give  the  gospel  to  the  Indians  in 
Mississippi  was  a  failure  till  after  the  war.  John  Wil- 
liams was  appointed  to  that  work  soon  after  our  or- 
ganization, but  failed  to  succeed,  and  gave  up  the  work. 
Our  chief  work  was  Domestic  missions  in  southeast 
Mississippi.  The  following  men  were  our  missionaries 
in  that  field  before  the  war :  Nicholas  Robinson,  Wil- 
son West,  John  Williams,  Lewis  Jenkins  and  E.  L.  Car- 
ter. These  were  faithful  ministers,  and  fed  the  scat- 
tered sheep  of  Christ,  and  called  many  sinners  to  re- 
pentance. Another  feature  of  our  work  was  the  support 
of  myself  for  about  eighteen  months  as  a  missionary  in 
the  army.  I  was  engaged  in  this  work  when  the  sur- 
render was  made.  In  the  year  1865,  the  body  met  at 
Enterprise,  in  1866  at  Garlandsville.  During  the  war, 
our  Zion  had  almost  became  a  dessolation  in  many 
places.   Those  were  da^-s  that  tried  men's  souls. 


1342  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

As  stated  back,  during  the  war  much  dessolation 
and  waste  had  sprung  up  in  the  rehgious  state  of  our 
country-.  The  body  doing  most  to  support  the  General 
Association  was  the  Mt.  Pisgah  Association.  At  the 
close  of  the  war  much  destitution  was  within  her 
bounds  and  adjacent.  This  destitution  could  be  reached 
Avith  more  readiness  b\^  the  local  rather  than  the  gen- 
eral body.  To  do  this,  a  resolution  was  introduced 
and  adopted  to  suspend  work  in  the  General  Associa- 
tion for  an  indefinite  period,  that  the  local  bodies 
might  take  hold  of  and  press  the  work  more  energeti- 
cally. The  general  iDodj'  was  not  dissolved,  but  only 
suspended  for  the  time,  to  be  called  into  active  business 
b3'  the  presiding  officer  when  thought  needful.  The 
plan  was  a  good  one ;  and  some  of  the  local  bodies  did 
a  noble  work;  especially  the  Alt.  Pisgah,  through  the 
labors  of  energetic  ministers.  This  was  continued  for 
several  years,  till  it  was  thought  best  to  call  the  gen- 
eral bod\'  into  work  again.  The  first  meeting  under 
the  call  was  held  with  the  Mt.  Pisgah  church,  Jasper 
county,  Alississippi ;  the  second  at  Paulding,  Miss. 
Since  then,  its  work  has  been  steadfast  and  growing. 
Ed.  Carter  and  John  Williams  were  our  first  rrission- 
aries  after  the  war.  From  then  till  now  the  body  has 
been  steadih'  at  work  in  Domestic,  Indian  and  Foreign 
missions;  attended  by  much  evidence  of  the  divine  bless- 
ing." 

In  this  outline  of  the  early  history  of  the  General 
Association  by  the  venerable  N.  L.  Clark,  it  is  observable 
that  the  first  design  of  the  originators  of  this  institu- 
tion was  the  promotion  of  Domestic  missions  in  south- 
east Mississippi.  At  that  time  the  associations  in  that 
part  of  the  State  were  not  in  affiliation  with  the  State 
Convention   as  the  Minutes  of  that  body  show.     Thej 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1343 

-were  independent  organizations  with  small  aims  and 
limited  usefulness.  They  needed  an  aim  l^efore  them, 
and  to  be  developed  in  lines  of  denominational  work. 

Our  strong  ministers  in  that  part  of  the  State  took 
in  the  situation.  They  saw  that  something  should  be 
done  for  the  inereasing  hosts  of  Baptists  in  the  pine 
hills  of  southeast  Mississippi.  They  were  in  faith  Mis- 
sionar}'  Baptists.  Their  belief  was  in  the  main  correct. 
But  the  channels  of  their  benevolence  were  either  l)locked 
up  by  inexperience,  or  narrowed  by  limited  informa- 
tion. Yet  they  were  becoming  as  numerous  as  the  stars 
of  night,  and  bright  eved,  intelligent  youths  were  adopt- 
ing their  faith  and  order. 

The  proposition  to  constitute  this  general  body  as 
N.  L.  Clark  st£ites  "originated  with  the  churches  of  the 
Mt.  Pisgah  Association."  J.  Al.  Chambers  was  chair- 
man of  the  special  committee  appointed  by  that  body 
to  report  on  the  advisability-  of  the  enterprise.  But  the 
real  head  of  the  movement  was  the  vigorous  X.  L. 
Clark.  With  love  for  all  and  malace  to  none,  with  con- 
.secrated  mother  wit  and  faith  in  God,  with  a  love  for 
humanity  and  a  knowledge  of  the  field  to  be  occupied, 
he  threw  himself  into  the  noble  undertaking  of  combin- 
ing and  developing  the  undirected  hosts  of  Baptists  in 
southeast  Alississippi. 

Severe  measures  or  intense  activity-  at  the  time 
■would  have  driven  man\'  from  our  ranks  to  antino- 
mianism,*and  would  have  divided  the  forces.  By  mild 
measure  and  l3y  a  definiteness  of  aim  at  local  develop- 
ment, they  have  been  held  together  and  have  grown  to 
a  numerous  people,  ready  to  cross  the  Jordan,  and  fight 
the  battles  of  the  Lord  for  occupancy  and  the  reign  of 
the  Lord  in  his  own  country-. 

As  this  much  has  l^een  said,  it  will  be  excusable  to 


1344  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

state  a  trio  of  men  have  joined  wits  and  grace  in  the 
furtherance  of  the  work  of  the  General  Association,  X. 
L.  Chirk,  William  Thigpen,  and  J.  P.  Johnson.  The^' 
have  been  men  of  power  among  their  brethren,  and 
representatives  of  different  parts  of  their  territor\^ 
They  have  in  the  main  been  wise  in  the  advocacy  of 
their  cause.  If  their  speech  has  at  any  time  been  to  the 
contrary,  it  should  be  courteously  attributed  to  their 
zeal  in  the  promotion  of  a  cause  dear  to  them  that  so 
overtaxed  their  nerves  as  to  produce  an  impatience. 

To  attempt  to  review  the  history  of  the  General  As- 
sociation in  the  A^ears  referred  to  in  Clark's  outline 
would  be  altogether  needless.  The  period  shall  only 
receive  the  notice  that  will  contribute  to  clearness  and 
the  trend  of  the  latter  historv  of  the  body. 

The  body  has  been  largely  composed  of  representa- 
tives of  churches  in  southeast  Mississippi.  In  1859, 
communications  were  read  from  twenty-five  churches, 
and  two  associations,  the  Alt.  Pisgah  and  the  Liberty, 
along  with  a  large  numl)er  ofindividuals  of  our  faith.  In 

1862,  there  were  twelve  churches  represented  and  four  as- 
sociations, Mt.  Pisgah,  Salem,  Strong  River,  and  Bethle- 
hem. The  representation  by  associations  has  been 
somewhat  irregular,  except  by  the  Mt.  PMsgah  and 
Salem  Associations.  Among  the  churches,  true  and 
constant  to  the  cause  before  the  Civil  War  were :  Black 
Creek,  Thompson's  Creek,  Ocoha,  Pleasant  Hill,  Deca- 
tur, Garlandsville,  Palestine,  Leaf  River,  Mt.  Pisgah, 
and  Pleasant  Hill. 

In  1859,  the  body    met  with   the   Ebenezer  church, 
Jasper  county,  and  in  1860  at  Garlandsville.     In  1862,  ' 
they  met  again  with  the  Garlandsville  church,  and,  in 

1863,  with  the  church  at  Salem.  In  Clark's  outline  it 
is  said  that,  "in  1865  the  Ijody  met  at  Enterprise,  in 
1866  at  Garlandsville." 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  134-5 

From  that  time,  for  four  years,  the  meetings  of  the 
General  Assoeiation  were  pretermitted.  In  1S68,  the 
Bethlehem,  Salem,  and  Alt.  Pisgah  Assoeiations  were 
represented  in  the  eonvention,  whieh  met  that  year  in 
Meridian.  X.  L.  Clark  was  ehairman  of  the  eommittee 
on  The  Colored  Population,  and  read  a  sensible  report. 
In  1869,  in  the  convention  whieh  met  at  Canton,  the 
Bethlehem,  and  Mt.  Pisgah  Associations  were  repre- 
sented. X.  L.  Clark  was  among  the  delegates  compos- 
ing the  body.  In  1870,  the  Bethlehem  and  the  Salem 
Association  ^vere  represented  in  the  convention,  and 
in  1871,  the  Ebenezer  and  the  Salem.  In  1872,  the 
State  Convention  was  again  held  in  Meridian,  and  the 
Bethlehem,  Ebenezer,  and  the  General  Association  had 
representatives  in  it.  The  following  year,  the  Ebenezer 
and  the  General  Association  were  represented,  and  in 
1874-  and  1875,  messengers  were  sent  by  the  convention 
to  the  General  Association. 

Thus  it  appears,  that  after  the  General  Association 
^vas  called  "  into  work  again  ''  after  the  Civil  War,  pro- 
gress to  co-operation  among  the  associations  was  slow 
and  indistinct.  But  after  18G9,  the  Mt.  Pisgah  Asso- 
ciation was  not  once  represented  in  the  convention. 
This  showed  that  the  good  old  body  was  lixed  in  a  pur- 
pose to  rebuild  the  wall  of  Zion,  and  care  for  the  aj)- 
palling  destitution  in  southeast  Mississip]:)i. 

In  1874-,  the  body  met  with  Union Chufch,  in  Smith 
county,  on  the  24th  of  October.  The  associations  rep- 
resented were:  Hobolochitto,  Ebenezer,  Mt.  Pi.sgah, 
and  Salem.  The  prominent  men  in  the  body  were: 
James  P.  Johnson,  I.  Anderson,  X.  L.  Robertson,  X.  L. 
Clark,  William  Thigpen,  and  L.  J.  Coffman.  X.  L.  Clark 
was  chosen  president,  William  Thigpen,  first  vice-presi- 
dent, J.  P.  Johnson,  second  vice-president,  B.  Thigpen, 
secretarv,  and  T.  T.  Houze.  treasurer. 


134-()  HISTORY     t»F     MlSSISSIPn     BAPTISTS. 

John  Williams  had  been  their  missionary  throii^G^li 
theassociational  year.  He  spent  185  days  in  the  work, 
baptized  fift\'-four  persons,  assisted  in  the  ordination  of 
one  minister  and  two  deacons,  and  traveled  about 
3,000  miles.  He  was  re-appointed  for  one-fourth  of  his 
time  in  the  same  field  at  the  same  rate  of  compensation 
as  before.  The  state  of  the  funds  of  the  Association  was 
cheerfid.  The  Executive  Board  was  composed  of  N.  L. 
Robertson,  A.  Ulmer,  K.  M.  Watkins,  I.  Anderson, 
Rhoden  Hord,  W.  T.  Ward,  A.  R.  Carter,  J.  Welborne, 
AVilliam  Thigpen,  Sr.,  and  Philip  Huff,  together  with 
the  officers  of  the  Association. 

Two  other  items  of  the  proceedings  of  the  body  at 
that  meeting  deserve  notice.  The  meeting  was  regarded 
and  declared  t(^  be  most  harmonious,  and  the  prospects 
of  the  body  "l)righter  than  they  have  been  since  the 
war.*'  The  other  item  was  the  affectionate entreatj'  to 
the  Hobolochitto  Association  to  co-operate  with  the 
Association  in  its  work. 

The  session  of  1874  was  to  be  held  with  the  Salem 
church,  seven  miles  southeast  of  Palding,  Jasper  county, 
beginning  on  Saturday  before  the  last  Lord's  Da^-  in 
October.  William  Thigpen  was  to  preach  the  intro- 
ductory sermon,  with  K.  M.  W^atkins  as  his  alternate. 

Their  sixteenth  annual  meeting  was  with  the  Leaf 
River  church,  Covington  county,  ))eginning"  October  28, 
1876.  P'ifteen  churches  were  represented,  and  four  as- 
sociations: Ebenezer,  Alt.  Pisgah,  Salem,  and  the 
Hobolochitto,  the  last  named  by  correspondence, 
through  John  Williams.  J.  A.  Hackett  and  AL  T;  Alar- 
tin  were  received  as  correspondents  from  the  State  Con- 
vention. 

This  associational  j-ear  was  not  characterized  by 
.great  missionary  activity,  Ijut  Avas  a  3'ear  of  S(|uaring 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1347 

.  ' 

ticconnts.  All  the  claims  held  by  their  missionary 
iiu^ainst  them  were  paid,  and  it  was  ordered  that  $100.- 
00  be  paid  in  advance,  to  the  missionary,  on  the  work 
of  the  ensiling  year. 

A  number  of  the  resolutions  adopted  by  the  body 
that  year  are  interesting  and  instructive.  We  give  some 
of  them. 

"Resolved,  That  while  we  approve  of  literature, 
and  believe  education  to  be  important  and  valuable, 
yet  we  hold  that  no  amountof  literary  training  be3'ond 
the  reading  of  the  scriptures  intelligently  should  be  re- 
quired by  us  as  Baptists  as  a  pre-requisite  to  entering 
the  Christian  ministry. 

Resolved  further,  That  while  we  admit  the  neces- 
sity of  schools,  both  common  and  high  for  literary  train- 
ing, yet  schools  to  teach  theology,  and  for  the  training 
of  our  preachers  for  their  work  in  the  ministry,  we  be- 
Heve  to  be  unscriptural  and  injurious;  believing  as  we 
do  thiit  the  churches  are  true  training  schools  for 
preachers,  and  the  pastors  the  proper  teachers  of  theo- 
logy. 

Resolved,  That  nothing  contained  in  the  foregoing 
resolutions  is  intended  to  reflect  on  Mississippi  College. 

Resolved,  That  the  educjition  of  the  rising  genera- 
tion is  a  subject  worthy  of  the  serious  thought  and 
earnest  effort  of  all  our  people."' 

No  censure  should  be  heaped  on  the  strong  men  of 
the  body  for  ]>ermitting  these  resolutions  to  be  adopted. 
Their  trend  was  correct,  they  encouraged  education. 
That  they  were  too  limited  is  true.  But  for  whose  eyes 
were  they  intended  ?  We  must  not  expect  too  much  of 
the  people.  The  statutory  laws  of  Aloseswere  intended 
for  the  Jews  in  the  wilderness,  and  were  wise  and  safe 
at   the  time,   though  manv  of  them  would  not  be  ac- 


134S  IIISTORV     f)F     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

cepted  in  the  United  States  for  to-day.  People  have  to 
be  led  up  to  advanced  measures.  A  man  is  only  the 
better  for  the  gradual  accumulations  of  experience  and 
observation, 

Just  here  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  give  some  ([uota- 
tions  from  the  Minutes  to  show  their  attitude  and  alti. 
tude  as  to  the  general  benevolences  of  co-operative 
Baptists.  In  the  report  on  missions  we  find  this  lan- 
guage: "As  regards  the  home  field,  we  can  only  speak 
as  to  our  own  State.  The  Baptist  State  Convention  is 
doing  a  great  work  on  our  coast ;  various  associations 
are  engaged  in  supplying  the  destitution  in  our  l)ounds. 
But  there  is  a  large  field  between  us  and  the  coast  as 
yet  l3ut  partially  supplied  ;  the  General  Association  of 
southeast  Alississippi  was  revived  mainl3^  to  occupy 
this  field."'  In  the  report  on  Sunday  schools  it  is  said  : 
*' We  urge  the  establishment  of  a  strictly  Baptist  Sun- 
day school  in  every  church."'  In  the  report  on  Educa- 
tion it  is  asserted  that  "the  Mississippi  College,  at 
Clinton,  can  safely  he  recommended  for  our  bo\'S." 

Their  .session  of  1877  was  held  with  the  Sylvarena 
church.  Twenty  churches  were  represented  and  two 
associations,  Mt.  Pisgah  and  Salem.  As  usual  N.  L. 
Clark  was  chosen  moderator,  and  Benjamin  Thigpen, 
secretary.  Correspondence  was  received  from  the  Ho- 
bolochitto  and  Springfield  Associations,  and  from  the 
convention. 

The  report  of  the  Executive  Board  showed  that  their 
missionary  had  given  180  days  of  service,  had  baptized 
twelve  believers,  and  had  traveled  about  3,000  miles. 
The  Association  was  urged  by  the  Board  not  to  relax, 
but  to  increase  their  efforts  in  sending  the  gospel  to  the 
destitute  within  their  territory.  They  received  that 
year  the  smn  of  $360.70  for  their  missionary  work. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  134-9 

It  was  usual  for  them  to  recommend  the  Southern 
Baptist,  pu1)hshed  at  Meridian  by  A.Gressettas  sound, 
and  adapted  to  their  wants.  It  was  their  paper,  and 
published  in  their  interest,  and  they  lal3ored  to  extend 
its  circulation.  But  they,  in  iiddition,  recommended  the 
Baptist  Record,  pulilished  at  Clinton  in  the  interest  of 
the  convention.     They  said  it  was  prohtable  to  read  it. 

Their  meetini;-  in  1S78,  was,  of  necessity,  disturl)ed 
by  the  prevalence  of  yellow  fever  in  their  ])art  of  the 
State  as  well  as  other  parts  of  our  conmionwealth. 
They  met  in  October  with  Providence  church  in  Perry 
countv,  and  after  transacting  some  business,  adjourned 
to  ineet  December  7,  1878,  with  the  Union  church, 
Smith  county.  James  P.  Johnson  acted  as  president 
and  X.  L.  Robertson,  secretary. 

At  that  adjourned  meeting  the  Executive  Board  re- 
ported that  I.  Anderson  had  given  them  121  days  of 
service,  had  baptized  eight,  and  had  traveled  1,930 
miies.  W.  D.  Maguoirk  gave  eighty  days  to  the  Board. 
The  Board  was  out  of  debt,  and  the  prospect.s  encour- 
aging. Their  total  receipts  that  year  amounted  to  the 
sum  of  $118.00. 

The  death  of  one  of  their  missionaries  was  reported 
that  year.  On  September  24,  1878,  \V.  D.  Alaguoirk 
passed  to  his  reward.  Suitable  resolutions  were  adopt- 
ed as  to  his  death.  He  was  held  in  high  esteem  In-- 
those  who  knew  him. 

In  1879,  the  Association  met  \vith  the  Fellowship 
church,  Jasper  county.  Twenty-four  churches  were 
represented  by  delegates,  and  five  associations  contri- 
buted to  their  funds,  Ebenezer,  Bethlehem,  Salem,  Alt. 
IMsgah,  and  Hobolochitto.  M.  T.  Martin,  as  usual,  was 
with  them.  He  was  reared  in  their  midst,  and  his  pres- 
ence at  the  meetings  of  the  General  Association  scarcely 
elicited  a  comment. 


1350  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  crowning  act  of  this  Association  was  the 
revival  of  their  interest  in  Indian  missions.  The  re- 
port read  by  L.  P.  Mnrrell  Avas  strong  and  impres- 
sive. It  recommended  that  they  enter  at  once  upon 
the  work  of  Indian  missions  in  Mississippi.  A  meeting 
of  all  the  friends  of  this  mission  was  asked  for  the  fol. 
lowing  da3'  when  subscriptions  were  taken  for  the 
furtherance  of  the  work.  A  special  board  of  ten  was  to 
be  appointed  to  look  after  this  interest.  The  meeting 
was  held  with  hopeful  results,  and  the  board  of  ten  ap- 
pointed, and  a  special  committee  appointed,  consisting 
of  J.  A.  Chambers,  J.  E.  Brunson,  and  J.  L.  Hardy,  to 
attend  the  next  meeting  of  the  State  Convention,  and 
solicit  aid  for  the  Indian  mission  work. 

The  session  of  1880  was  held  with  the  Oak  Grove 
church,  Lauderdale  count3\  N.  L.  Clark,  their  nestor,, 
w^as  again  elected  moderator,  and  Benjamin  Thigpen, 
their  ready  scribe,  their  secretar\\  The  name  of  the 
Red  Creek  Association  appears  in  the  list  of  their  con- 
stituency. It  had  only  recentU^  been  constituted  of 
churches  of  the  Hobolochitto  Association.  The  name 
of  the  southeastern  Association  is  in  the  list  of  corres- 
pondence. 

At  the  Ma3'  meeting  of  the  Executive  Board  G.  W. 
Rainer  was  appointed  missionary  in  the  northern  part 
of  their  territor3'.  L.  A.  Duncan  was  appointed  to  the 
work  of  Sunda}^  schools  within  the  bounds  of  thebod3^ 
J.  P.  Johnson  in  the  current  A-ear  had  labored  140  days, 
baptized  18,  and  traveled  1,859  miles.  The  following 
resolution  was  adopted  b\'  the  body  : 

"  Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  destitution  yet  re- 
maining in  the  bounds  of  this  Association,  and  adjacent 
thereto,  that  the  Executive  Boards  be,  and  are  hereby 
authorized  to  make  such   additional  appointments  as 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1351 

will  meet  the  demands,  as  far  as  praeticable,  and  also 
to  consider  the  utility  and  propriety  of  appointing-  an 
evangelist  to  labor  among  the  churches  for  the  advance- 
ment of  the  cause  of  Christ,  the  increase  of  the  mission 
spirit  both  Home  and  Foreign." 

L.  A.  Duncan  made  an  extended  and  interesting  re- 
port of  his  work  in  Sunday  school  interest.  He  had 
visited  churches  in  the  Liljcrty,  Mt.  Pisgah,and  Spring- 
field Association  and  had  stirred  up  much  interest  in 
the  work.    Just  like  him. 

The  report  on  Indian  missions  was  short  but  sensi- 
ble. In  it  the  suggestion  was  made  that  a  Choctaw 
minister  from  the  West  be  secured  to  preach  to  the 
Choctaw  Indians  of  our  State:  and  that  a  Board  often 
be  pppointed  to  look  after  their  Indian  missions.  The 
neat  sum  of  $876.65  was  on  hand  for  the  associational 
work. 

Their  annual  meeting  in  1S81  was  held  with  the 
Salem  church  of  Jasper  countv.  It  was  full  of  interest. 
The  subjects  of  missions  and  education  were  didv  con- 
sidered and  discussed.  There  was  a  thorough  awaken- 
ing on  the  subject  of  education.  In  the  report  of  Edu- 
cation we  find  this  language  :  "  We  are  glad  to  know 
that  a  high  school  under  the  care  of  this  body  is  about 
to  be  established  at  Garlandsville,  Miss.,  also,  we  are 
glad  to  know  that  there  are  other  schools  of  high  order 
contemplated  in  the  surrounding  country."' 

A  standing  committee  on  Education  reported 
through  William'jThigpen,  the  chairman.  This  commit- 
tee was  appointed  at  the  session  of  1880.  It  held  its 
first  meeting  in  March,  1881.  They  then  recjuested 
communities  wishing  to  establish  a  high  school  to  re- 
port to  them  at  an  April  meeting.  After  due  delibera- 
tion  the   high   school   was    located    at    Garlandsville, 


1352  HISTORY    OF    Mississippi    baptists. 

Jaspcrcounty,  just  ]jcl()\v  the  line  ol  Newton  and  Jasper. 
A  Professor  Darlini>-,  of  Atlanta,  Cia.,  was  tendered  the 
position  of  ])rineipal.  The  oriiiinal  intention  was  to 
use  the  Ba]jtist  ehurch  at  Garlandsville  as  a  sehool 
room.  The  ajjpointnient  of  a  board  of  trustees  was 
reeommended  by  the  standing  eommittee. 

Missionaries  were  appointed  for  the  assoeiational 
year  of  18S1-.S2.  J.  P.  Johnson  was  reappointed  to 
oecuin-  his  ])revious  held  of  labor.  H.  B.  Coojjer  was 
to  supply  destitution  east  of  Johnson's  held,  and  S.  O. 
Y.  Ra\'  was  to  ]mt  one-fourth  of  his  tiine  in  the  Liberty 
Association. 

The  Executive  Board  rej)orted  that  they  had  held 
•four  meetings,  one  in  December,  1880,  and  the  others  in 
January,  May  and  July,  1881.  At  the  December  meet- 
ing J.  A.  Hitt  was  employed  for  one-fourth  of  his  time. 
In  Jfinuary  I.  Anderson  was  secured  to  labor  in  Marion 
county,  and  G.  W.  Kainer  was  commissioned  to  visit 
Philadelphia,  Miss.,  as  a  destitute  point.  Johnson  gave 
145  da3'*s  la])or,  hi\])tv/.c(\  fourteen  jieople,  and  consti- 
tuted two  churches.  Anderson  baptized  four  believers, 
and  organized  one  church.  Hitt  traveled  800  miles,  and 
constituted  one  church.  Kainer  had  misfortunes  with 
which  to  contend,  but  traveled  240  miles. 

The  General  Association  very  tenderlv  noticed  the 
death  of  C.  AI.  Gordon  wlio  died  in  Okolona,  September 
25,  1881,  from  the  effect  of  a  burn  received  from  an  ex- 
ploding lam]).  On  Tuesday  night,  alter  preaching  on 
the  text,  "  Peace  I  leave  with  you,  my  jx'ace  1  give  unto 
you,'"  while  extinguishing  the  lamp  l)efore  retiring  the 
fatal  accident  occurred.  He  was  declared  by  the  Gen- 
eral Association  to  be  an  efficient  and  al)le  minister. 
He  was  for  a  term  of  years  a  resident  of  Meridian. 

In  1882,  the  bodv  met  with  Bethel  church,  Xewton 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1353 

county.  George  Whitfield,  J.  B.Gambrell,  R.  E.  Melvin 
and  J.  H.  Whitfield  were  with  them  as  fraternal  mes- 
sengers. Of  course  X.  L.  Clark  was  elected  president, 
Benjamin  ThiLi:|>en,  secretary. 

The  Garlandsville  high  school  was  the  largest  item 
of  business.  The  Board  of  Trustees  reported,  and  anew 
board  was  a]3i3ointed.  Each  meml)er  of  the  body  was, 
upon  resolution,  recjuested  to  solicit  funds  for  it,  and  to 
get  some  cash  to  relieve  the  emliarrassment  of  the 
Board.  Prof.  J.  W.  Brown  was  in  charge  of  the  educa- 
tional work  of  the  institution.  In  the  i^assing  year,  a 
large  and  commodious  school  Ijuilding  had  been  erected. 
The  house  was  80  by  50  feet,  and  sul)stantially  built. 
N.  L.  Clark  said  :  "  We  are  much  imjiressed  with  the 
imi3ortance  of  this  school." 

The  first  of  januaiw,  18M5,  Peter  Folsom,  a  Choc- 
taw Indian,  arrived  from  the  nation  west  of  the  Alissis- 
sippi  river,  and  Avas  cmj^loycd  as  missionary  to  the 
Choctaws  in  our  State.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Associa- 
tion he  had  labored  24-3  days,  baptized  forty  persons, 
and  constituted  one  church.  P'or  two  or  three  months 
he  was  assisted  by  a  young  Choctaw.  The  Indian  work 
\vas  in  a  gratifying  condition.  The  total  receipts  for 
Domestic  missions  that  year  were  $662.85,  for  Foreign 
missions  $77.4-0,  and  for  Indian  missions  $316.75. 

Their  session  of  1883  was  held  with  Zion  Hill 
church,  vSmith  county.  T.  D.  Bush  and  J.  H.  Whitfield 
were  received  as  a  part  of  a  committee  appointed  by 
the  State  Convention  to  confer  with  the  members  of  the 
General  Association  as  to  closer  co-operation  between 
the  two  bodies.  A  good  committee  was  appointed  to 
consider  their  request.  The  committee  reported  through 
J.  P.  Johnson.  If  friendly  intercourse  between  the  two 
bodies  was  all  that  the  convention  sought,  it  would  ba 


1354  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

most  «;raciously  awarded  ;  but  if  the  sending  of  the  em- 
bassy- meant  the  dissolution  of  the  General  Association 
to  form  one  general  organization  for  the  State,  it  was 
met  with  a  positive  denial.  There  was  a  decided  npple 
over  the  surprise  of  affairs,  and  the  committee  went 
home  with  small  comfort. 

The  supporters  of  their  high  school  enterprise  were 
becoming  unstable.  It  had  been  discovered  that  the 
school  had  been  located  unwisely  at  Garlandsville,  and 
it  was  recommended  that  it  be  moved  to  Sylvarena, 
Smith  county.  In  their  report  on  Education  made  b3' 
A.  Gressett  it  was  suggested  that  the  change  was  a 
^vise  one,  and  that  the^- should  "  have  no  further  reasons 
for  complaint  on  this  score.'' 

Jesse  B.  Murrow,  their  young  Chacta^v  preacher 
had  died  during  the  year.  But  he  had  baptized  fifty 
persons,  and  constituted  one  church  before  he  was  called 
awaj'.  The  other  missionaries  laboring  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Board  were:  J.  P.  Merritt,  J.  P.  Johnson, 
C.  C.  Vaughan,  H.  B.  Cooper,  and  J.  D.  Knight.  They 
had  all  baptized  199  persons,  and  constituted  ten 
churches.  This  was  a  line  showing  lor  their  year's 
work. 

In  1884,  at  the  meeting  of  the  Association  at  P*op- 
larville,  the  furrowed  brows  of  some  of  the  members 
had  not  become  smooth  h'om  the  irritation  caused  l^y 
the  request  of  the  embass3^  from  the  convention  made 
the  3'ear  previous.  Much  regret  was  expressed  at  the 
efforts  made  b^^  the  convention  through  the  State  Board 
to  disintegrate  the  General  Association.  It  was  said, 
"If  our  brethren  continue  a  course  so  unkind,  it  must, 
as  it  appears  to  us,  result  in  the  disruption  of  those 
friendly  relations  that  ought  to  exist,  and,  unpleasant 
as  it  would  be,  the  discontinuance  of  even  fraternal 
correspondence. ' ' 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1355 

J.  P.  Johnson  labored  the  next  ^-ear  under  the  diree- 
tion  of  the  Hobolochitto  Association  without  restraints. 
J.  P.  Merritt  occupied  his  old  field.  J.  B.  Flanagan 
was  to  be  on  the  N.  O.  &  N.  E.  Railroad  south  of  Hat- 
tiesburg.  T.  E.  H.  Robinson  was  to  be  at  Eastabuchie 
and  the  country  adjacent.  W.  W  Crawford  was  to 
labor  in  the  suburbs  of  Meridian.  .  Elder  Jack,  their  In- 
dian missionary-,  was  to  continue  his  work  with  the 
ChoctaAvs.  The  churches  were  urged  to  contribute 
liberally  toward  the  support  of  their  missionaries,  and 
to  the  Choctaw  missions.  The  Finance  Committee  re- 
ported $1,170.65  on  hand  for  missions. 

The  trustees  of  the  high  school  at  Sylv^irena  were 
cheerful.  The  school  had  been  domiciled  at  that  place 
two  sessions.  It  was  then  presided  over  by  Prof.  E.  S. 
Robinson.  It  was  recommended  that  the  school  be 
located  permanently  at  Sxdvarena.  The  local  trustees 
had  deeded  the  property  to  the  school.  The  property 
consisted  of  thirt\'-eight  acres  of  land,  school  liviildings, 
etc.  No  iDctter  state  of  things  seemed  desired  by  the 
trustees  for  the  infant  enterprise.  It  was  a  desirable 
institution,  located  in  a  good  fertile  country  at  the 
head- waters  of  the  Leaf  River.  The  people  of  the  com- 
munity were  in  good  financial  condition,  and  ready  for 
an  onward  movement. 

The  bod\'  seemed  perfectly  content  \vith  its  officers. 
From  \-ear  to  year  they  elected  X.  L.  Clark  president, 
Benjamin  Thigpen,  secretary,  and  D.  T.  Chapman, 
treasurer. 

The  session  of  1885  was  held  with  the  Fellowship 
church,  Jasper  county.  Correspondence  was  received 
from  the  State  Convention,  Hobolochitto,  Red  Creek, 
and  Chickasahay  Associations. 

The  missionaries  appointed  the  session  before  had 


18o(>  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS, 

done  !4"c)()(l  work.  They  had  spent  in  service  614  days, 
had  l)apti/cetl  152,  and  constituted  ten  churches.  These 
were  the  best  days  of  the  Association.  The  meeting'  ot 
the  body  ^vere  harmonious,  and  the  Lord  was  greatly 
blessinii"  their  missionary  endeavors. 

The  Sylvarena  High  Scliool  had  passed  a  checkered 
existence.  Their  principal.  Prof.  E.  S.  Robinson,  re- 
signed in  April,  1886,  and  was  succeeded  in  office  l3y  W. 
C.  Anderson,  who  remained  in  charge  of  the  school  only 
to  the  close  of  the  session.  For  the  session  of  1885-86, 
the  trustees  had  secured  a  faculty  consisting  of  Profs. 
J.  M.  Davis,  \V.  C.  Anderson,  and  F.  D.  Baars.  They 
Avcre  well  plciised  with  the  location  of  the  school. 

The  session  of  1SS6  was  held  with  the  church  at 
Decatur,  of  which  N.  L.  Clark  has  now  been  pastor  for 
more  than  fifty-tive  years.  The  annual  sermon  was 
preached  by  J.  AI.  Aloore  on  the  necessity  of  testimony 
in  order  to  faith,  and  was  well  received. 

The  Association  in  1886  received  a  good  re])ort  on 
Colportage.  In  it  a  number  of  good  things  were  said: 
"It  is  simply  carrying  out  the  Savior's  injunction  to  go 
from  house  to  house  with  the  gospel.""  "  But  the  main 
benefit  of  Colportage  work  is  ])erha])s  the  more  general 
circulation  of  the  ScrijDtures,  and  the  encouragement  to 
study  them."' 

.  In  1888,  five  resolutions  on  Colportage  were 
adopted  by  the  Association  as  they  were  submitted  by 
the  committee  ajjpointed  to  report  on  that  subject.  A 
committee  of  five  was  to  be  a])pointed  by  the  ]:)resident 
to  take  charge  of  the  work;  a  collection  to  be  taken  at 
once  to  create  a  fund  with  wdiich  to  1)egin  the  work ; 
the  pastors  and  missionaries  were  ret[uested  to  take 
collections  Ibr  Colportage  in  December;  the  committee 
Avas   to    ])rocurc  a  su])])ly  of  ])ooks  and  tracts  i'or  sale 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS,  1357 

and  the  committee  ^vas  to  have  the  privilege  of  organi- 
zation, and  authority  to  carry  on  the  ^York. 

A  collection  amountinii'  to  $5.4-5  was  taken  at  once. 
L.  A.  Duncan  gave  a  numl)er  of  good  books  suita1)lefor 
early  sale,  and  in  November  forty-five  bibles  and  seventy- 
five  testaments  were  received  from  the  American  Bap- 
test  Publication  Society.  With  this  supply  the  work 
was  begun.  Bibles  and  testaments  were  given  free  of 
anj^  charge  to  families  that  were  destitute  Or  un^ible  to 
bu\'  them.  In  Fel)ruary,  $13.35  ^vas  received  from 
liljeral  donors,  and  in  April  they  purcliased  $4-2.69 
worth  of  denominational  l)ooks  and  tracts,  which  they 
put  on  sale.  J.  E.  Brunson  was  of  valuable  service  in 
their  sale.    So  the  work  l)egan,  and  went  on. 

The  Association  had  a  special  grievance  in  1886, 
It  had  been  misrepresented  in  a  historical  statement, 
made  in  CathcarV s  Baptist  Encyclopedin.  A  commit- 
tee Avas  formed  to  write  a  "defense"  of  the  General  As- 
sociation with  J.  E.  Brunson  <is  chairman.  Their  griev- 
ance was  contained  in  the  sentence  :  '*  This  body  oper- 
ates in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  and  was  organized 
some  years  ago  hi  opposition  to  the  State  Convention/' 
Two  things  may  be  said  of  this  statement  liy  a  dis- 
interested historian,  the  writer  of  it  could  have,  with- 
out great  trouble,  jiscertained  when  the  (general  Asso- 
ciation was  organized,  and  the  character  of  the  ministers 
who  were  foremost  in  its  constitution. 

The  "Defense"  makes  this  rel)uttal :  "  The  General 
Association  was  organized  in  1855  to  supply  destitu- 
tion in  the  southeastern  portion  of  the  State,  a  long' 
neglected  territory."  This  is  a  historic  fact,  and  he  who 
writes  history  should  have  the  utmost  respect  for  factis 
whatever  may  be  his  biases  and  preconceived  opinions. 
The  past  l3elongs  to  GckI,  and  is  but  a  part  of  the  one 


1358  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.    ' 

desisj,n  he  had  in   the   formation   and   peopling-   of  the 
earth. 

In  1.SS6,  a  full  statement  is  given  l3y  the  Executive 
Board  of  work  done  in  the  eight  years  of  its  existence. 
Twenty-nine  churches  had  been  constituted,  one  pros- 
perous association  formed,  eleven  ministers  ordained, 
and  1,200  believers  baptized.  These  results  caused  the 
Board  to  express  this  sentiment:  "  Encouraged  by  these 
precious  results  from  our  labors,  under  the  blessings  of 
God,  your  Board  would  recommend  a  continuance  of 
the  work.'" 

On  Tuesday  following  the  adjournment  of  the  Asso- 
ciation, the  special  Board  on  Indian  missions  held  a 
meeting  in  the  court  house  in  Decatur.  After  a  free  and 
full  consideration  ot  the  matter,  it  was  agreed  that  N. 
L.  Clark  should  spend  one-fourth  time  in  superintend- 
ing their  mission  among  the  Choctaws  in  the  State. 
This  was  a  wise  action.  No  one  in  the  State  has  mani- 
fested more  concern  for  these  aborigines  that  the  con- 
secrated president  of  the  General  Association. 

The  session  of  lS87was  lieldwith  the  Enon  church, 
Jasper  count\'.  Forty-six  churches  Avere  represented, 
and  seven  associations,  viz :  Liberty,  Ebenezer,  Red 
Creek,  Mt.  Pisgah,  Hobolochitto,  Salem,  and  Bethle- 
hem. The  (3ctibbeha  and  Springfield  were  not  repre- 
sented. The  list  of  officers  was  still  unvarying,  N.  L. 
Clark  was  president,  W.  Thigpen,  first  vice-president, 
J.  P.  Johnson,  second  vice-])resident,  and  D.  T.  Chap-" 
man,  treasurer. 

Through  the  past  3'ear  their  missionaries  had  been 

J.  B.  Flanagan,  J.  P.  Johnson,  I.  D.  Bush,  L.  J.  Caugh- 

man,  and  J.  P.  Merritt.     N.  L.   Clark,   and  Jackson,  a 

native    Choctaw,    had    labored    among    the    Indians. 

These  missionaries  had  baptized  186  persons,  and  con- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1359 

stituted  three  churches.  There  were  then  five  churches 
of  Choctaw  Indians,  and  two  ordained  ministers  among 
them  of  that  race.  They  were  readil\-  receiving-  the 
gosi^el,  and  great  good  was  being  done  among  them. 

A  special  committee  reported  on  the  present  pros- 
pects and  future  work  ot  the  General  Association.  In 
the  extreme  southeastern  part  of  the  State,  from  Wolf 
river  on  the  west  to  Pascagoula  on  the  east  the  desti- 
tution had  been  supplied,  and  self-supporting  churches 
were  existing.  East  of  Pasccigoula,  and  in  what  was 
known  as  "The  Merritt  Field,"  there  was  need  of  evan- 
gelization. North  of  this,  on  both  sides  of  Chickasa- 
ha\'  river  there  was  also  need  of  missionary  work. 
There  was  also  need  of  fostering  care  in  the  work  among 
the  Choctaws.  Beside  all  this  the  gradual  develop- 
ment of  the  existing  churches  was  a  crying  need. 

Their  educational  work  seemed  flattening  out.  It 
was  said:  "Beside  Mississippi  College  (which  ought 
to  be  the  pride  of  ever\'  Baptist  in  the  State)  we  have 
schools  of  high  grade  being  reared  in  our  midst,  which 
deserve  the  patronage  of  our  people.''  A  number  of 
them  was  named,  but  no  preference  manifested.  The 
school  at  Sylvarena  was  in  the  list,  but  nothing  was 
said  as  to  any  control  of  it  by  the  Association.  Schools 
maA'  come,  and  schools  may  go,  but  education  goes  on 
forever. 

The  annual  session  of  1SS8  was  held  with  Shady- 
Grove  church,  Jasper  county.  Among  the  names  of 
their  visitors  we  find  W.  H.  Patton,  W.  A.  Roper,  J.  B. 
Gambrell,  and  S.  O.  Y.  Ray ;  also  Mrs.  AI.  J.  Nelson, 
then  missionary  to  the  children  of  New  Orleans,  sent  by 
the  Baptist  State  Convention.  Thirt\'-six  churches 
^vere  represented  in  the  Association,  and  six  associa- 
tions. 


1360  HISTORY     i)F     M.SSISSIPPI     EAPTISTS. 

Some  special  thouiiht  must  be  given  just  here  to 
their  newspaper  interest.  In  1SS(3,  the  Committee  on 
Publications  in  one  sentence  recommended  lor  patron- 
age the  Southern  Baptist  and  the  Baptist  Record.  In 
April,  1SS7,  the  two  ])apers  \vere  consolidated,  and 
called  the  Southern  Baptist  Record,  which  was  ])ub- 
lished  in  Aleridian.  The  consolidated  paper  was  that 
year  endorsed  b\'  the  General  Association. 

The  following  A'car  L.  A.  Duncan  was  an  associate 
editor  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Record  in  the  service  of 
the  General  Association,  and  was  granted  a  resolution 
of  thanks  for  his  faithfulness  in  the  discharge  of  duty. 
But  in  1889,  a  restlessness  was  manifest  as  to  their 
connection  with  the  paper.  Some  complaints  were 
made.  Among  them,  they  said,  "Ijut  few  subscribe  for 
the  Record,  and  the  number  is  growing  continually 
less."'  It  was  ielt  that  an  effort  should  be  made  to 
secure  an  acceptable  medium  of  communication  between 
their  constituency.  So  a  committee  was  raised  to  con- 
sult upon  the  question,  which  was  to  act  at  wdll. 
Within  a  year  the  Mississippi  Baptist  published  at  New- 
ton, edited  by  X.  L.  Clark  of  that  place,  ^vas  projected, 
and  Avas  indorsed  by  the  General  Association  in  its 
meeting  in  1890.  It  was  l>rought  out  by  a  stcx-k  ])ub- 
lishing  company. 

During  the  associati(mal  year  of  1887-88,  their 
missionaries  in  their  bounds  were :  Alerritt,  Bush, 
Johnson,  Davis.  Freeman,  Jackson,  and  Williamson. 
The}-  baptized  119  believers,  constituted  eight  churches, 
and  traveled  7,130  miles.  The  following  year  they  had 
in  the  field  Johnson,  Merritt,  Sammons,  Jackson,  Clark, 
and  Davis,  who  Isaptized  ninety-two,  constituted  three 
churches,  and  traveled  5,4-84>  miles. 

In  1889,  the  body   met   with   the  Oakland   church, 


HISTORY     OF     MlSSISSirn     BAPTISTS  1361 

Newton  county,  and  in  1890  with  Alt.  Xebo  church 
Jasper  county.  In  these  two  years,  A.  J.  Freeman 
was  elected  first  vice-president.  The  other  offices 
w^ere  filled  respectively  iDy  those  who  held  long  encum- 
bencies. 

In  1890.  the  Association  was  positive  in  its  report 
on  Temperance.  Yearly,  let  it  be  said,  they  reported 
on  this  subject.  An  excerpt  from  their  report  in  1890, 
will  be  sufficient  to  show  their  attitude  toward  the 
drink  habit :  "  We,  as  members  of  this  Association,  do 
most  solemnly  protest  against  its  (intoxicant's)  manu- 
facture and  sale,  £ind  pledge  our  influence  in  the  exer- 
cise of  our  rights  as  citizens  of  this  free  country',  socially,, 
morally,  and  religiously  to  work  for  its  speedy  over- 
throw, and,  to  this  end,  \ve  invoke  the  aid  and  bless- 
ings of  Almighty  God." 

Between  1890  and  1895  there  were  some  changes 
of  officers  of  the  Association.  Through  those  years  X. 
L.  Clark  was  still  honored  with  the  presidency  of  the 
bod}',  and  D.  T.  Chapman  was  treasurer.  Benjamin 
Thigpen  was  clerk  from  1891  to  1894  when  B.  F. 
Roper  was  chosen  to  fill  the  position.  Ro])er  filled  the 
position  to  the  end  of  the  century.  The  place  of  the 
two  vice-presidents  were  filled  by  A.  J.  Freeman,  J.  P. 
Johnson  and  G.  W.  Rainer.  William  Thigpen  was  cor- 
responding secretary  in  1893,  '91,  and  "95. 

In  this  period  the  subject  of  education  was  consid- 
ered by  the  body  annually,  but  without  definiteness. 
Thej  were  fostering  no  school  enterprise,  but  showed 
an  interest  in  education.  Mississippi  College,  Blue 
Mountain,  Shuqualak,  and  Stone  Colleges  were  com- 
mended in  1893.  Hillman  College  was  also  commended 
the  following  year.  In  1895,  no  objection  was  urged 
against  Ministerial  Education,  but  it  was  thought  1)est 


13G2  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTIST^?. 

that  youn<,^  preachers  seek  education  at  home  without 
nei^lecting  pastoral  labors. 

In  this  period,  only  one  report  was  made  on  Col- 
portai^e,  in  1894.  The  committee  was  composed  of  G. 
\V.  Bo\^d,  and  h.  A.  Duncan.  Colportage  was  said  to 
su^jplement  the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  The  printed 
truth  was  left  in  the  homes  to  do  its  silent  work  on 
those  who  do  not  go  to  church.  No  recommendations 
were  made  at  the  concluding  of  the  report. 

During  this  time  reports  were  also  read  as  usual  on 
Temperance,  Nominations,  Publications  and  Sunday 
Schools. 

The  3'ear  1891  showed  considerable  activity- in  their 
mission  work.  Their  associational  missionaries  were: 
Abner  Walker,  J.  P.  Johnson,  and  G.  W.  Boyd.  Beside 
these,  they  had  in  the  Indian  field  five  missionaries: 
Jackson,  Johnson,  Williamson,  Baker  and  Thomas. 
The  missionaries  reported  sixt^'-one  baptisms,  and  con- 
stituted Vive  churches.  Their  collections  from  churches 
for  Domestic  missions  were  $4-75.75,  for  Foreign  mis- 
sions $234.74.  and  for  Indian  missions  $105.23.  Their 
grand  total  receipts  reached  the  footing  of  $1,663.38. 

In  1S91,  it  was  recommended  by  the  Committee  on 
Missions  that  a  Foreign  Mission  Board  be  appointed 
"to  awaken  deeper  interest  in  the  churches  and  asso- 
x'iations""  in  this  cause.  The\' were  not  satisfied  with 
their  contriliutions  to  the  foreign  work.  The  Board 
Avas  formed  and  reported  the  following  year.  The\'  had 
done  little.  The\'  organized  in  June,  1892,  and  after 
deliberation  on  the  ([uestion,  decided  that  all  the\' could 
do  was  "  to  endeavor  to  stimulate  the  people  to  more 
liberal  giving  to  the  cause  of  Foreign  mission."*  To 
produce  this  result,  their  corresponding  secretary,  Wil- 
liam  Thigpen,  was  directed  to  write  a  number  of  arti- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1363 

cles  on  the  subject  for  the  Alississippi  Baptist.  The 
sum  of  $407.69  was  received  that  year  for  Foreign 
missions. 

The  report  of  the  Executive  Bo£ird  to  the  Associa- 
tion in  1893  showed  onh-  fort\'-nine  baptisms.  Eight 
missionaries  were  in  the  field.  The\'  were  looking  with 
pride  to  the  almost  miraculous  success  the  Lord  was 
granting  them  among  the  Indians  of  the  State.  Not 
only  could  the  gospel  reach  their  souls,  but  they  showed 
their  faith  by  their  liberal  offerings  to  the  cause  of 
Christ. 

A  new  era  seemed  approaching  in  their  benevolence 
to  Foreign  missions.  This  was  well.  Their  mission- 
ary spirit  was  being  enlarged.  A  special  committee  on 
missions  reported  to  the  body  in  1893  w^hich  took  ad- 
vanced ground  by  recommending  that  the  Foreign  Mis- 
sions Board  of  the  Southeastern  Baptist  Convention  to 
set  apart  one  missionary  to  be  supported  in  part  or  in 
whole  b\'  the  Association.  All  the  pastors,  who  w^ere' 
in  SA'mpath^'  with  this  movement,  were  requested  to 
take  collections  for  this  cause  semi-annualh'. 

In  1894,  the  Executive  Board  in  its  report  showed 
that  the  advanced  measure  had  been  adopted  b\'  the 
churches.  W.  A.  Wilson,  Foreign  missionary  in  Alexico, 
had  been  adopted  by  them.  He  was  doing  a  good 
work,  which  \vas  a  cause  of  congratulation. 

The  Board  had  in  its  employ  that  year  eight  mis- 
sionaries. They  had  liaptized  101  persons,  and  had 
constituted  three  churclies.  They  were  encouraged  l)y 
their  success  in  their  Foreign  and  Indian  mission  work. 

The  Association  is  to  be  congratulated  upon  its 
success  in  mission  work  in  1894,  and  1895.  W.  A. 
Wilson,  located  at  Guadalajara,  Alexico,  had  baptized 
tw^enty-one  believers.     He  was  supported  entirely  by 


1364  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

the  General  Association.  J.  I*.  Johnson,  in  the  coast 
country  had  iDaptized  eight  and  constituted  one  church. 
Three  Choctaw  preachers  were  lal^oring  among  their 
people,  but  they  needed  a  white  minister  to  labor  among 
them,  and  to  wisely  direct  their  movements.  The 
motto  of  the  General  Association  at  that  time  was, 
"  Onward  !  Onward  I  in  the  great  conflict  for  truth." 

The  information  at  hand  as  to  the  workings  of  this 
body  tor  the  last  five  years  of  the  century  is  meager- 
and  unconnected.  The  historian  can  neither  make  his- 
tory nor  guess  at  facts  ;  his  statements  must  be  as  to. 
well  authenticated  occurrences. 

In  1896,  the  Association  met  at  Ait.  Pleasant 
church,  Newton,  county,  in  1897,  at  Sylvarena,  Smith 
county,  in  1898,  with  Spring  Hill  church,  Jones  county, 
and  in  1900  with  Goodwater  church.  Smith  county. 
To  the  last  session  of  the  body  (1901)  N.  L.  Clark  was 
president,  B.  F.  Roper,  secretary,  and  D.  T.  Chapman,, 
treasurer.  There  were  some  changes  as  to  the  vice- 
presidents  and  corresponding  secretary.  The  associa^ 
tions  connected  with  the  body  in  this  period  remotely 
and  directly  were:  New  Liberty,  Tallahala,  Ebenezer,. 
Mt.  Pisgah,  Salem,  Red  Creek,  Bethlehem,  Choctaw, 
Pearl  Valley,  Oktibbeha,  and  vScott  county. 

In  1897,  there  was  great  stringency  in  monetary 
affairs,  and  the  missionary  force  of  the  Association  was 
somewhat  smaller  than  usual.  J.  P.  Johnson  superin- 
tended their  cost  work  under  the  management  of  their- 
southern  or  branch  board.  Isham  Johnson,  Choctaw, 
was  at  State  Line,  Green  county,  for  one-half  time ; 
Jackson,  Choctaw,  was  in  Newton  county,  and  Seboni 
Smith  in  Neshoba. 

Special  direction  'was  given  to  their  Foreign  mis- 
sion work  in  1897.     They  wished  the  appointment  and 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1365 

■direction  of  their  work  to  be  in  the  hands  of  the  Asso- 
ciation or  the  Executive  Board :  the  Board  was  to 
choose  a  man  on  the  field,  and  provide  for  his  support 
at  once.  It  was  not  wished  to  at  once  act  independ- 
ent of  the  Foreign  Mission  Board  at  Richmond,  Va. 
This  action  indicated  a  nervousness.  It  seems  that 
there  was  somewhere  a  sensjition  cord.  After  long 
years  of  harmonious  and  successful  action  in  Domes- 
tic and  Indian  missions,  is  the  Foreign  mission  work, 
the  noisiest  of  them  all,  to  he  a  cleaving  axe? 

In  1898,  their  ])rinted  minutes  wei'e  Ijrief  and  frag- 
mentary. The  re]){)rts  of  tlie  various  committees  ^vere 
not  printed. 

J.  P.  Johnson  was  apjjointed  to  labor  in  the  ensu- 
ing year  in  the  Southeastern  Mississippi  mission,  and 
was  to  devote  all  the  time  he  could  to  the  work.  The 
appointment  of  the  Choctaw  missionaries  was  left  to 
tl;ie  Executive  Board,  and  N.  L.  Clark  was  ap]3ointed 
as  general  supervisor  of  Indian  missions. 

The  tenth  resolution  adopted  was  to  the  effect, 
"That  the  refpiest  of  the  Salem  Association  lie  granted, 
and  that  our  treasurer  forward,  as  he  may  be  in- 
structed, all  funds  sent  l)y  that  body  for  the  promotion 
ot  the  Foreign  mission  work  upon  the  Gospel  mission 
])lan."" 

In  1900,  the  closing  year  of  the  century,  full  reports 
were  re^id  on  all  the  lines  usually  encouraged  by  them 
with  reports  on  Colportage  and  the  Orphanage  at 
Jackson.  The  Association  was  larger  than  iisual,  sixty- 
two  churches  loeing  represented. 

Their  report  on  Missions,  read  hy  L.  J.  Coughman, 
had  some  touching  thoughts  in  it:  "We  cannot  but 
feel  grateful  to  God  for  the  Jilessings  upon  the  work  of 
the  General  Association,  and  especially   in    the   south- 


1366  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

eastern  part  of  Alississippi,  where  was  onee  a  state  of 
heathenism,  but  now  moves  and  acts  under  the  in- 
fluence of  morality  and  christianit3^■' 

Their  work  among  the  Choctaw-  Indians  of  our 
State  was  in  a  cheerful  condition,  and  their  missionary- 
in  Mexico,  then  J.  G.  Chastain,  w-as  active  and  success- 
ful in  his  mission. 

After  a  patient  stud}-  of  the  histor\-  of  the  General 
Association,  one  feels  tenderly  for  the  aged  men,  solong 
the  liurden  bearers  in  that  broad  field  of  labor.  For 
more  than  a  half  century  their  toils  have  been  great. 
They  are  now-  bent  with  age,  and  their  life's  w-ork 
nearly  done.  As  they  look  out  on  the  fields  w-hitening 
to  the  harvest  the  spirit  of  their  earW  manhood  comes 
to  them.  But  feeble  limbs  cannot  now-  respond  to  the 
bounding  spirit  as  in  daA-s  of  j^ore.  The  Lord  has  his 
Joshuas,  somewhere  to  stand  in  the  place  made  vacant 
by  the  withering  touch^of  time.  May  no  shadows  fall 
between  these  aged  Nestors,  as  the  sun  is  going  down  ; 
but  may  thcA'  be  strengthened  and  warmed  in  the  chilly 
twilight  of  life  In-  the  sure  elbow  touch  of  their  life-long 
comrades  in  the  strife  of  3-ears  for  the  supremacy  of 

Christ. 

o 

BENEVOLENCES   OF   THE   STATE   CONVENTION. — MINISTER- 
IAL   EDUCATION. 

Baptists  have  not  at  any  time  held  that  one  called 
of  God  to  preach  the  gospel  should  of  necessity  l^e  edu- 
cated before  entering  the  ministry.  Some  of  our  educated 
ministers  have  been  most  successful  in  w-inning  souls  to 
.  Christ.  Some  ot  them,  uneducated  in  entering  the  min- 
istry, have  improved  themselves  b\^  hard  study,  perse- 
verance, and  dint  of  labor,  until  they  have  taken  posi- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1367 

tion  with   those  who   in   youth  wei-e   more   favored  in 
mental  training. 

Godliness  is  of  first  importance  in  the  Baptist  min- 
istr3^  No  amount  of  learning-  is  equal  to  it  in  the  eyes 
of  our  people.  But  he,  who  is  deeph'  pious  and  has  a 
consuming  desire  for  the  reclamation  of  the  lost,  is  bet- 
ter prepared  to  accomplish  his  high  purpose,  if  he  is  so 
educated  that  his  mind  has  adequate  grasp  of  a 
thought,  and  he  has  jd roper  language  to  express  him- 
self lucid  U'. 

Three  or  four  things  arc  potent  agencies  in  leading- 
worth}^  3^oung  men  to  respond  to  God's  call  to  enter 
the  ministry.  One  is  the  desire  of  godly  parents  that 
some  of  their  boys  be  ministers ;  another,  the  aid  of 
worthj^  Christians  in  directing  them  toward  the  holy 
calling.  As  a  usu^d  thing  young  men  get  their  consent 
to  go  into  the  ministry,  who  hold  membership  in  wide- 
awake churches.  Not  infrequently  is  it  true,  that  the 
nearness  of  some  good  school  of  learning,  at  which  they 
ma\^  get  rid  of  superfluous  ignorance,  has  much  to  do 
in  aiding  bright  and  thoughtful  young  men  to  respond 
to  a  call  God  has  already  made  them  to  go  into  the 
sacred  calling. 

Baptists  are  not  novices  in  the  work  of  Alinisterial 
Education.  In  1689,  a  Baptist  association,  composed 
of  107  churches,  had  a  memoralile  meeting  in  London, 
England.  On  the  third  day  of  their  meeting,  it  was 
resolved  to  raise  funds  to  aid  weak  churches  in  su[iport- 
ing  their  pastors,  and  "to  assist  those  members  that 
are  disposed  to  stud^-,  having  an  inviting  gift,  and 
sound  in  the  faith,  in  attaining  a  knowledge  and  under- 
standing of  the  languages — Latin,  Greek  and  Hebrew." 
Thus  it  is  seen  that  Baptists  supported  Home  missions^ 
and  Ministerial  Education  213  j^ears  ago. 


1368  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Thomas  Hollis,  a  merchant  in  London,  En«j,hind,  in 
1721,  made  a  grant  to  Harvard  College  for  Ministerial 
Education,  with  the  express  tinderstcinding  that  Bap- 
tist ministers  were  to  use  a  portion  of  it.  In  1722,  the 
old  Philadelphia  Association  in  session,  recommended 
to  the  churches  ''to  make  inquiry  in  their  own  ranks, 
and  see  if  they  have  any  young  men  hopeful  for  the 
ministry  and  inclined  to  learning;  and,  if  thev  had  any 
such  individual  to  give  notice  of  the  same  to  Air.  Abel 
Alorgan,  that  he  might  recommend  them  to  the  college 
.(Harvard)  on  Mr.  Hollis"  account.'" 

Baptists  resolved,  in  1755,  to  establish  a  school  for 
the  education  of  candidates  for  the  ministry.  It  was 
located  at  Hopewell,  X.  Y.  This  was  their  tirst  eft'ort 
at, establishing  a  denominational  school  of  their  own 
for  the  education  of  their  3'oung  ministers.  After  ten 
vears  it  was  merged  into  Rhode  Island  College,  which 
was  chartered  in  1764-.  That  college  is  now  known  as 
Brown  University. 

In  Furman"s  history  of  the  Charleston  Association, 
in  South  Carolina,  he  says:  "In  1757,  the  expediency 
of  raising  a  fund  to  furnish  suitable  \'oung  men  for  the 
ministry  with  a  competent  share  ofJenrningwas  taken 
into  consideration,  and  Tt  was  recommended  to  the 
churches  generally  to  collect  money  for  this  purpose.'' 
Among  the  first  beneficiaries  of  this  fund  were,  Evans 
Pugh,  Edmond  Botsford,  and  Samuel  Spillman.  The 
last  named  was  for  many  years  the  eminent  and  suc- 
cessful pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church,  of  Boston, 
Massachusetts. 

In  1819,  Baptists  had  fourteen  colleges  and  seven 
theological  seminaries,  with  1,200  pupils.  The  South- 
ern Theological  Seminary  is  the  largest  school  of  its 
kind  in  America.     Baptists  now  have  thirty-six  colleges 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1369 

and   universities,  with   12,000   students,  £ind    invested 
kinds  amounting  to  $36,000,000. 

In  1817,  the  old  Mississippi  Association  in  our 
State  adopted  the  following-  resolution  on  Alinisterial 
Education  : 

"^esoirec/ uniinimously,  that  this  Association  rec- 
ommend and  support  a  phin  for  raising  a  fund,  for  the 
special  purpose  of  promoting  the  proper  education  of 
pious  young  men,  called  to  the  great  and  important 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry."  Dr.  David  Cooper,  James 
A.  Ranaldson,  and  Benjamin  Davis  were  appointed  to 
report  to  the  Ijodv  a  plan  of  education.  The  commit- 
mittee  recommended,  first,  that  a  special  committee  of 
seven  be  appointed  to  collect  funds  and  donations  to 
the  school:  second,  that  this  committee  draft  constitu- 
tion and  Ijy-laws;  third,  that  the  churches  be  asked  to 
contriljute,  yearly,  to  the  educational  fund;  fourth, 
that  the  address  to  the  churches  on  the  suliject  of  edu- 
cation take  the  place  of  the  annual  circular  letter. 

The  address  of  the  Committee  on  Ministerial  Edu- 
cation was  pul)lished  in  their  Minutes.  It  is  a  strong- 
document.  The  following  years  the  constitution  and 
by-laws  were  presented  to  the  Association  and  adopted. 
The  constitution  stated  it  as  the  avowed  purpose  of 
the  society  "to  assist  pious,  evangelical  young  men, 
called  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  in  receiving 
literary  and  theological  education."" 

Wehearno  more  of  this  society  after  181S.  Inl8l9, 
eight  churches  ot  the  Mississippi  withdrew  to  form  the 
Union  Association,  and  several  others  exjjressed  their 
intention  of  forming  an  association,  now  known  as  the 
Pearl  River.  These  new  movements  left  the  old  asso- 
ciation with  only  sixteen  churches  out  of  thirt3^-one, 
and  confused  the  plans  of  the  body  on  education,  and 
the  enterpi-ise  failed  to  take  definite  material  shape. 


1370  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

In  a  few  years  it  was  discovered  that  the  Union. 
Association  was  the  progressive  association  of  the 
State.  Nearh'  two  yeai-s  before  the  Baptist  State  Con- 
vention was  constituted  the  "  Mississippi  Baptist  Edu- 
cational Society- "■  was  organized.  The  prominent  men 
of  the  society  were  of  the  Union  Association.  The  so- 
ciety was  constituted  Alarch  14,  1835.  On  its  Board 
were  such  men  as  S.  S.  La,ttimore,  Norvell  R.Granberry, 
W.  J.  Denson,  Norvell  Robertson,  Jr.,  Lee  Compere,. 
Benjamin  Whitfield,  and  Ashle3''  Vaughan. 

In  the  first  article  of  the  constitution  the  design  of 
the  society  was  made  manifest.  Its  "  first  object  was 
the  education  of  pious  young  men  for  the  gospel  minis- 
try.'' The  society  was,  in  the  nature  of  the  situation, 
compelled  to  establish  its  own  school,  as  Baptists  had 
no  school  in  existence  in  the  State,  and  there  was  no 
other  general  existing  organization  to  start  such  a 
school.  The  history  of  their  school  enterprises  is  given 
in  the  Pioneer  Work  of  Mississippi  Baptists  in  Educa- 
tion, pubHshed  in  this  work. 

In  the  permanent  organization  of  the  societ}-,  Lee 
Compere  was  president,  and  T.  S.  N.  King,  secretary. 
At  its  second  meeting  at  Mound  Bluff  church,  Octol)er 
7,  8,  1836,  L.  B.  Hollowa^^  was  chosen  president,  Ash- 
le3'  Vaughan,  first  vice-president;  William  Whitney, 
second  vice-president :  T.  S.  N.  King,  secretary,  and 
W.  J.  Denson,  treasurer.  It  was  said  by  Ashley  Vaughan 
that  the  societ3^  "met  with  unexpected  encouragement 
and  success.'"  The  societ3' had  a  general  agent  in  the 
field,  and,  in  May,  1837,  he  had  secured  150  subscribers, 
and  the  sum  of  $35,000.00  was  subscribed  to  the 
school  designed  to  promote  Ministerial  Education. 

The  third  annual  session  of  the  societj^  was  held  at 
Palestine  church.  Hinds  county,  beginning  May  5, 1837. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1371 

The  officers  of  the  previous  year  were  re-elected,  except 
that  N.  Robertson,  Jr.,  was  asked  to  act  as  second  vice- 
president.  A  proposition  was  placed  before  the  society 
by  the  West  Tennessee  Baptist  Educational  Society  to 
unite  the  two  bodies  for  the  purpose  of  estal^lishing  a 
seminary  of  learning.  The  Alississippi  society-  did  not 
deem  it  best  to  go  into  the  union. 

In  1838,  the  Baptist  State  Convention  was  a  fixed 
fact;  its  future  seemed  assured.  That  year  the  Missis- 
sippi Baptist  Educational  Society-  proposed  to  relin- 
quish and  transfer  the  right  of  electing  a  Board  of 
Trustees  of  Judson  Institute  to  the  convention.  The 
convention  considered  the  propriety  of  taking  charge 
of  the  institution,  and  the  educational  society  was  vir- 
tually inoperative. 

But  the  following  year  we  are  told  that  the  society 
was  toiling  with  its  educational  work  on  the  brink  of 
despair,  and  the  convention  was  expressing  itself  about 
its  situation  in  a  highly  dignified  manner.  The  Com- 
mittee on  Education  said:  "Connected  with  this  sub- 
ject, the  importance  and  prospects  of  our  educated  min- 
istry present  themselves  to  our  careful  attention.  "  *  * 
Your  committee  beg  leave  to  enforce  the  importance  of 
this  society  (educational)  imd  the  necessity'  of  united 
effort  in  sustaining  its  interests."  That  was  prett3^ 
language,  but  the  educational  societ^^  wanted  help. 

In  1840,  the  convention  passed  preamlole  and  reso- 
lution to  the  effect,  tlie  design  of  Judson  Institute  was 
for  the  education  of  the  young  ministers,  and  that  the 
churches  should  seek  out  such,  and  send  them  to  the 
Institute,  and  pay  their  board  and  tuition.  The  con- 
vention was  still  dignified  and  showed  much  caution  as 
to  la3'ing  its  hands  on  the  worthy-  but  sinking  enter- 
prise.    The  Institute  was  then  at   Middleton,  Carroll 


1372  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

county.  It  had  been  transferred  to  that  place  from 
Palestine,  and  when  it  reached  Middleton  it  was  con- 
solidated with  the  "  Middleton  Literary  and  Theologi- 
cal Institute."  But  some  things  that  look  large  have 
verA'  little  nutriment  in  them.  The  school  was  verging 
toward  failure. 

The  Institute  was  exalted  as  much  ^is  possiljle  bv 
its  friends,  and  the  convention  agreed  to  take  such 
legal  steps  as  would  place  the  institution  under  their 
care  and  support.  The  convention  was  encouraging 
Ministerial  Education,  but  with  much  caution  every 
way.  The  report  of  their  treasurer  in  1840,  1841,  did 
not  show  an\'  receipts  for  Alinisterial  Education. 

In  1843,  the  convention  disclaimed  any  vital  con- 
nection with  Judson  Institute,  and  proposed  to  "en- 
courage by  our  prayers  and  contriljutions  the  Western 
Baptist  Theological  Institute  (at  Covington  in  Ken- 
tucky."') In  1844,  X.  R.  Cranberry  said:  "If  talking, 
and  passing  resolutions,  and  cippointing  committees, 
would  build  a  college,  we  should  have  had  one  long 
since."  The  Covington  school  was  again  made  promi- 
nent. 

Resolutions  were  passed,  in  1845,  on  the  improve- 
ment of  the  rising  ministry-.  But  there  is  no  yeast  in  a 
resolution  to  make  the  ministry  rise.  Georgetown  Col- 
lege, Howard  College,  Mercer  University,  and  the  Cov- 
ington theological  school,  all  received  favorable  men- 
tion. These  commendations  were  received  the  follow- 
ing year,  and  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention  asked 
to  locate  a  theological  seminary  for  the  South.  Minis- 
terial Education  was  still  al)sent  from  the  list  of  objects 
aided  by  the  convention. 

In  1847,  a  moi-e  hopeful  da3'  had  come.  J.  T.  Pow- 
ell, a  young  minister  of  our  State,  had  l^een  acce])ted  as 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1373 

a  beiieticiary  at  Alercer  Uiiiversit3'.  He  was  a  promis- 
ing \'oung  man.  Wm.  Care^-  Crane,  corresponding  sec- 
retary of  the  General  Board,  said:  "In  the  cause  of 
education  a  mere  beginning  has  been  made.'*  The  sum 
of  $79.70  was  reported  as  received  for  Ministerial  Edu- 
cation 133'  the  finance  committee. 

But  a  commendable  enthusiasm  had  taken  hold  on 
one  man  in  the  convention  on  A'linisterial  Education. 
That  man  was  William  Carey  Crane.  He  was  a  pastor 
in  Yazoo  City,  and  was  in  the  Central  Association.  In 
1S4-8,  an  appeal  was  made  to  the  Central  Association 
to  aid  Jesse  Hollis,  a  ministerial  student  at  Georgetown 
College.  The  Board  of  the  Association  had  to  reply 
that  it  had  no  authority  to  do  such  work,  but  called 
on  the  churches  to  help  Hollis  or  to  form  an  Educa- 
tional Society.    The  fire  was  beginning  to  blaze. 

The  Central  Association  met  on  the  8th  of  October, 
1848,  and  the  State  Convention  on  the  9th  of  Novem 
ber  following.  William  Care\''  Crane  preached  the  con- 
vention sermon  from  Acts  16  :  25,  26.  His  theme  was 
"  Alinisterial  Education."  In  the  afternoon  of  the  sec- 
ond day  of  their  proceeding,  on  his  motion,  the  bod\^ 
went  into  committee  of  the  whole  on  the  report  of  a 
special  committee  on  the  establishment  of  a  Baptist 
College  in  the  State  for  the  promotion  of  Ministerial 
Education.  The  committee  of  the  whole  could  only 
report  progress;  but  a  committee  of  five  was  appointed 
to  report  on  the  debated  clause  of  the  report  of  the 
General  Board. 

The  report  of  that  committee  was  a  dispointment 
to  Crane.  The3'  made  the  clause  sa^-  that  the\'  were 
only  discussing  the  advisability-  of  establishmg  a  col- 
lege. The  Convention  Board  had  aided  that  \'ear  the 
following  ministerial  students  :  J.  F.  Powell  at  Mercer 


1374  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

University,    $50.00;    Wm.   B.   Gallman   at   Raymond, 
$50.00 ;  and  Jesse  Hollis  at  Georgetown  College,  $50.00. 

It  is  a  little  difficult  to  choke  the  life  out  of  a  rising- 
enthusiasm,  or  to  silence  a  man  who  is  truly  in  earnest. 
An  educational  society  was  speedily  formed,  and  the 
friends  of  the  onward  movement  organized  for  success- 
ful effort. 

The  societ\'  held  its  regular  quarterly  meeting 
July  28,  18  i9.  William  Carej^  Crane  was  president,, 
and  J.  B.  Stiteler,  secretary.  The  constitution  and  by- 
laws were  read.  The  second  article  of  the  constitution 
read:  "The  object  of  this  society  shall  be,  to  aid  indi- 
gent young  men,  called  of  God  to  preach  the  gospel,  in 
acquiring  an  education,  and,  with  the  design,  when  in 
the  providence  of  God  it  may  be  thought  advisable,  to 
establish  a  literary  institution."  According  to  their 
by-laws,  the  candidate  for  the  ministry  was  to  be  well 
recommended  by  his  church,  and  be  examined  by  the 
Board  of  Ministerial  Education  as  to  his  Christian  ex- 
perience, call  to  the  ministry,  and  his  views  of  faith  and 
doctrine. 

In  184-9,  the  Convention  Board  had  William  B. 
Allen  at  Mercer  Universit}',  Jesse  Hollis  at  Georgetown, 
and  Daniel  H.  Dobbs  at  Macon,  Mississippi.  The 
churches  were  urged  to  adopt  some  system  of  raising 
mone3^  for  Ministerial  Education,  and  Mercer  Univer- 
sity, Union  University,  and  Howard  College,  received 
favorable  mention. 

The  Minutes  of  the  first  annual  report  of  the  Alis- 
sissippi  Baptist  Educational  Society  were  printed  with 
the  Minutes  of  the  State  Convention.  Dr.  R.  Warner, 
the  pious  ph^'sician,  was  present.  The  annual  sermon 
on  education  was  preached  by  S.  J.  Caldwell.  In  the 
annual  election  of  officers,  G.  W.  Allen  was  chosen  presi- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  137b 

''ent,  J.  B.  Stiteler,  recording  secretary,  S.J.  Caldwell, 
corresponding-  secretary,  and  M.  W.  Phillips,  treasurer. 
The  following  resolution  was  adopted  : 

''Resolved,  That  this  society  will  make  strenuous 
effort  to  receive  under  its  patro^^age  all  young  men 
called  to  preach,  that  ma\^  apply,  sustaining  the  quali- 
fications prescribed  in  the  constitution." 

The  second  annual  meeting  of  the  society  was  held 
in  Jackson,  beginning  November,  1850.  J.  M.  Frost, 
agent  for  Georgetown  College  and  Covington  Theo- 
logical Institute  was  present  and  "made  some  interest- 
ing statements  from  said  institutions."  He  was  kindly 
received,  and  a  good  committee  appointed  to  report  on 
his  propositions.  But  Mississippi  Baptists  were  get- 
ting ready  to  go  to  housekeeping  to  themselves. 

It  was  asked  of  the  churches  that  they  seek  and  en- 
courage young  men  called  to  preach,  and  aid  them  in 
getting  a  liberal  education.  The  claims  of  the  society 
were  declared  to  be  inferior  to  no  other  object,  and  a  de- 
termination was  expressed  to  assist  in  the  education  of 
every  worthy,  and  dulv  certified  young  minister,  who 
should  apply  for  aid.  M.  \V.  Phillips,  their  treasurer, 
reported  the  sum  of  $318.40  on  hand.  The  beneficiaries 
of  the  Board  were:  W.  B.  Gallman,  J.  A.  Hollis,  D.  H. 
Dobbs,  AT  L.  Crawford,  W.  B.  Butler,  J.  A.  Ard,  C.  C. 
Lee,  and  R.  W.  Priest. 

The  Board  made  haste  to  record  the  following  sen- 
timents :  "  We  do  not  wish  learning  to  be  substituted 
for  piety.  Far  from  it — since  piety  is  the  first  great,  in- 
dispensable prerequisite  to  the  sacred  office.  A  minis- 
tr3^  without  piety  will  be  a  withering  curse  to  the 
church." 

E.  C.  Eager  was  president  of  the  society  in  1851. 
Upon  a  call  for  annual  and  life  members  and  directors, 


137(^  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

the  sum  of  $789.01  was  raised  for  Alinisterial  Pxliiea- 
tion.  The  fact  was  reiterated  that :  "  Any  person  mav 
beconie  a  member  of  this  society  by  paying  annually  the 
sum  of  one  dollar  or  more  :  a  life  member  by  the  pay- 
ment at  one  time  of  ten  dollars;  and  a  life  director  by 
the  payment  at  one  ti.ue  of  twenty-live  dollars" 

The  following  year  the  Educational  Society  had  <i 
number  of  beneficiaries  at  school,  pre])aring  for  the 
ministry.  It  was  decided  that  thereafter  they  would 
send  all  their  applicants  for  aid  to  Mississippi  College, 
thinking  it  best  to  educate  them  at  home.  The  cause 
of  Alinisterial  Education  was  popular,  and  collections 
for  this  purpose  were  readily  secured. 

At  that  time  the  State  Convention  did  not  receive 
a  report  on  Ministerial  Education.  They  left  the  benev- 
olence entirely  with  the  society.  But  we  find  this  lan- 
guage in  the  Minutes  of  the  convention  in  18o3  :  "  The 
Educationid  Society-  of  the  State  has  the  cause  of  Min- 
isterial Education  under  its  care,  and  is  nobh"  present- 
ing its  work.     Also,  this  resolution  : 

^'Resolved,  That  Saturday  night,  as  well  as  Sunday 
night,  of  the  next  session  of  the  convention  be  appro- 
priated to  the  benefit  of  the  State  Educational  Society, 
and  that  the  Minutes  of  said  society-  be  printed  in  con- 
nection with  those  of  the  convention,  provided  that 
society'  furnish  its  proportion  of  funds  for  expenses.'" 

In  1854,  the  yellow  fever  was  very  destructive  in 
the  State.  The  mortuary  reports  were  alarming.  The 
convention  did  not  meet  until  the  9th  of  November,  and 
then  as  far  north  as  Hei'nando.  The  Minutes  of  the 
body  were  not  printed,  nor  were  the  Alinutes  of  the 
Educational  Society.  Only  one  who  has  been  through 
a  yellow  fever  epidemic  knowstheconfusion  consequent. 

Peter  Crawford   presided   over  the  societ3^  in  1855,. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  16  I  t 

Dr.  AI.  \V.  Phillips  was  correspondiiifi'  secret^irv,  J.  X. 
Urner,  recoi'ding  secretary,  and  S.  Thigpen,  treasurer. 
In  its  annual  meeting  in  November,  the  body  was  ad- 
dressed by  D.  S.  Snodgrass,  and  W.  C.  Crane.  W.  C. 
Duncan,  of  New  Orleans,  preached  "an  able  and  elo- 
(juent  sermon."  The  subscription  to  Ministerial  Edu- 
cation amounted  to  $105.50.  Among  the  donors  we 
find  the  names  of  H.  F.  Buckner  and  W.  H.  Carroll. 
rhe\'  were  the  visitors  of  the  State  Convention. 

The  society  in  1856,  received  and  expended  to  the 
account  of  Ministerial  Education  the  sum  of  $159.80. 
About  this  time,  interest  in  the  Educational  Society 
was  waning.  Dr.  William  L.  Balfour  died  in  May,  1857, 
and  William  Carey  Crane  was  at  Centre  Hill,  in  the 
extreme  northern  part  of  the  State,  exceedingh^  busy  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duties  as  president  of  Semple  Broad- 
dus  College.  The  Minutes  of  the  society  were  not 
printed,  and  the  reported  contributions  to  Ministei'ial 
Education  were  small.  The  educational  interests  of 
Mississippi  Baptists  were  concentrating  upon  Missis- 
sippi College. 

There  were  several  ministerial  students  in  the  col- 
lege in  1858,  and  ver\'  little  money  Ijeing  received  bj-" 
the  societ\'.  There  were  serious  apprehensions  in  the 
spring  of  that  3'ear,  that  some  of  them  would  be  com- 
pelled to  go  home  through  lack  of  means  of  support. 
Pastors  were  urged  to  take  collections  for  this  cause  at 
once. 

Besides  the  ministerial  aid  extended  at  Clinton,  the 
Judson  Association  was  aiding  J.  F.  Potter  at  Union 
Universit}^  in  1859,  to  the  amount  of  $150.00  a  ^-ear. 
A  little  later  E.  B.  McNeal  was  also  at  I'nion  Univer- 
sity from  Oak  Hill  church  of  the  same  association.  There 
were  ministerial  students  pursuing  their  course  of  study 
at  Clinton  under  the  eve  of  the  Educational  Societv. 


1378  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Tlic  eleventh  session  of  the  society  was  held  in  May, 
1859.  E.  C.  Eager  was  president  one  year  before. 
At  that  meeting  J.  B.  Hamberlin  was  chosen  to  preside^ 
8.  S.  Granberry  was  made  secretary,  and  8.  Thigpen 
Avas  treasurer.  The  convention  was  requested  to  set 
apart  Thursda\'  ot  its  next  session  to  the  consideration 
of  Ministerial  Education. 

In  Ma\',  1860,  the  cause  was  granted  a  8unday 
night  service  by  the  convention.  Alasterful  speeches 
Avere  made  b_v  T.  C.  Teasdale,  J.F.B.  Mayes  andT.  Har- 
rison, after  which  a  sul^scription  and  collection  were 
taken,  amounting  to  over  $600.00  for  Ministerial  Edu- 
cation in  Mississippi  College.  The  remaining  golden 
daA'S  of  the  useful  society  were  few. 

During  the  collegiate  year  of  1869-61  there  were 
sixteen  students  at  Clinton  preparing  for  effective  work 
in  the  ministry ;  but  many  of  them  had  to  leave  college 
from  lack  of  means.  Thirteen  of  them  were  aided  to 
the  thirteenth  session  of  the  society,  but  the  funds  were 
Avliolly  exhausted  in  May,  1861.  J.  B.  Haml^erlin  was 
still  president  of  the  Educational  Societv. 

About  that  time  serious  dissatisfaction  appeared  in 
East  Mississippi  witli  the  demands  for  ministerial  cul- 
ture. It  was  argued  by  "W.T."  in  the  Mississippi  Bap- 
tist that  the  cry  was,  "the  times  demand  an  educated 
ministry,"  and  that  education  was  being  unduly  ex- 
alted as  a  factor  in  ministerial  success.  He  was  replied 
to  by  the  editor  of  the  paper.  Sometimes  the  advo- 
cates of  ministerial  education  err  in  not  making  their 
position  so  ])ltiin  tliat  he  that  runs  ma\'  read. 

In  1802,  two  ministerial  students  were  graduated 
from  MississiiJ]M  College.  T.  J.  Walne  was  a  student 
in  the  college  al^out  that  time.  The  two  students 
"fraduated  were  A.  A.  Lomax  and  B.  W.  L.  Butt. 


1 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1379 

For  many  years  after  this,  the  Civil  War  absorbed 
all  thought,  and  Ministerial  Education  was  practically 
relegated  for  thoughts  of  fratricidal  strife.  All  educa- 
tional enterprises  shared  the  fate  of  the  country. 

In  1866,  the  Southern  Baptist  Theological  Semi- 
nary, located  at  Greenville,  S.  C,  Avas  heartily  com- 
mended l3y  the  convention,  and  a  subscription  taken  in 
the  interest  of  that  institution  amounting  to  $400.00. 
The  Seminar}'  Avas  commended  the  following  year  in  a 
report  read  l)efore  the  convention  on  Ministerial  Edu- 
cation by  W.  S.  Webb.  But  we  hear  nothing  more  of 
the  State  Educational  Society. 

It  was  recommended  to  the  convention  in  1S68 
that  a  special  committee  on  Ministerial  Education  be 
appointed,  whose  duty  it  should  be  to  devise  and  put 
into  effect  measures  for  the  promotion  of  this  object, 
and  report  at  the  next  sitting  of  the  body.  But  silence 
gathered  about  the  subject.  Claims,  consequent  upon 
the  civil  strife,  had  the  high  places  in  the  thoughts  of 
our  people :  the  Orphanage,  and  the  church  at  Vicks- 
burg,  punctured  by  cannon  balls  during  the  siege  of 
A'icksburg. 

In  1869,  J.  B.  Hamberlin  was  made  chairman  of  a 
special  committee  of  the  Convention  Executive  Board 
on  Ministerial  Education,  which  showed  that  some- 
thing would  soon  be  done  tor  that  object.  During  the 
convention  year,  James  Nelson  did  yeoman  service  lor 
Ministerial  Education.  He  was  encouraged  to  con- 
tinue in  tne  wtM'k.  He  was  apt  in  encouraging  young 
men,  called  of  God  to  pi-each  the  gospel,  to  prepare 
themselves  thoroughly  for  their  life's  work.  And  God 
was  calling  a  number  of  the  finest  young  men  in  Mis- 
sissippi, in  different  parts  of  the  State,  to  enter  the  holy 
■calling.    Some  were  spending  their  days  between  the 


1380  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

plow  handles,  who  were  to  become  great  in  the  held  of 
ministerial  endeavor. 

In  1870,  the  Board  of  Ministerial  Education  was 
constituted  1)3'^  the  State  Convention.  The  convention 
was  for  the  first  time  to  take  this  cause  under  its  direct 
and  immediate  charge,  and  inaugurated  an  era  in  Min- 
isterial Education  unequaled  in  all  the  history  of  Mis- 
sissippi Baptists.  The  young  men  were  in  easy  reach, 
on  whose  heads  God's  hands  had  already  been  placed, 
who  were  to  stand  in  the  courts  of  God  pre-eminent, 
\vorth\%  and  blessed.  Some  of  them  were  then  in  the 
college,  and  some  preparing  themselves  for  collegiate 
training. 

The  Board  of  Ministerial  Education  met  July  1,. 
1870,  and  organized  by  the  election  of  J.  A.  Hackett,. 
president,  W.  T.  Ratliff,  recording  secretary,  J.  F.  Bas- 
kin,  treasurer,  and  James  Nelson,  corresponding  secre- 
tary. In  eleven  months  James  Nelson  collected  $4-,- 
105.97  in  cash,  besides  securing  subscriptions  on  which 
they  were  daih^  securing  mone\'.  Thirty-one  young 
ministers  w^ere  at  Clinton,  and  two  in  the  theological 
seminary  at  Greenville,  S.  C.  Added  to  the  amount 
collected  by  the  corresponding  secretary  was  the  sum 
of  $1,135.45  received  from  the  treasurer  of  Central  As- 
sociation, making  a  total  amount  of  $5,241.42.  Young 
ministers  in  Mississippi  College  placed  before  the  State 
Convention  a  splendid  paper,  in  w^hich  there  w-as  an 
expressed  joy  over  the  benefits  they  were  receiving  in 
their  Alma  Mater.  This  paper  was  signed  by  George 
B.  Eager,  L.  C.  Kellis,  J.  D.  Anderson,  Jno.  H.  Eager, 
A.J.Miller,  E.E.King,  W.J.David,  H.  T.  Haddick, 
I.  A.  Hailey,  A.  V.  Rowe,  J.  W.  Sanford,  \V.  C.  Friley 
and  others. 

The  following  \'ear  there  were  fc^rty-eight  ministe- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1381 

rial  students  in  Mississippi  College,  and  nine  in  the  Semi- 
nary and  one  at  Crozer.  The  Ministerial  Board  could 
felicitate  themselselves  on  such  a  fine  showing.  James 
Nelson  was  going  over  our  State  like  a  firebrand  in  a 
prairie.  Every  one  was  becoming  interested  in  Minis- 
terial Education.  This  apostle  of  learning  was  not 
onh'  creating  large  interest  in  his  cause,  l3ut  was  leav- 
ing behind  him  a  la.sting  impression.  Beside  all  this, 
he  was  finding  pearls  hid  by  the  Lord  in  secluded  places 
and  sending  them  where  they  could  ht  garnished  to 
shine  in  the  King's  courts.  Alas,  that  this  man  should 
have  passed  with  meteoric  swiftness  across  our  skies; 
but  God  lives. 

In  1873,  the  collections  for  Ministerial  Education 
reached  the  splendid  footing  of  $-1,379.74.  During  the 
early  part  of  that  year,  and  the  latter  part  of  the  year 
])revious,  the  ({uestion  of  building  a  ^'mess-hall"  at  the 
college  for  the  students  for  the  ministry  was  much 
talked  of.  The  building  was  to  cost  $3,000.00.  The 
Educational  Boards  of  Louisiana  and  Arkansas  pro- 
posed to  aid  materially  in  this  work,  and  (|uite  noljly 
did  so. 

James  P.  Boyce  and  John  A.  Broadus,  of  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  were  at  the  convention  at  Oxford  in 
1874.  A  splendid  report  was  placed  before  the  conven- 
tion on  Ministerial  Education  l)y  E.  D.  Miller  of  Holly 
Springs.  A  fine  impression  was  made  by  the  distin- 
guished strangers  for  their  cause,  and  bonds  were  given 
to  the  Seminai-y,  amounting  to  the  sum  of  $2,650.00; 
H.  F.  Sproles,  a  former  student  of  the  Seminary,  pledg- 
ing himself  to  raise  $250.00,  and  the  noble-hearted  Dr. 
M.  W.  Phillips  pledging  himself  for  an  e(;[ual  amount. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  college  was  authorized 
to  institute  in  the  college  a  theological  chair,  just  as 


1382  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

soon  as  the  linances  of  the  institution  would  achiiit  of 
it.  This  effort  was  to  place  a  theological  training  in 
the  reach  of  young  ministers  who  could  not  get  the 
advantages  of  a  theological  seminary. 

The  State  Mission  Board  was,  in  1875,  running 
past  the  fleet-footed  horse  of  1870,  T.  J.  Walne  was 
coming  to  the  front.  The  cause  of  Ministerial  Educa- 
tion \vas  not  on  the  wane,  but  was  being  overshad- 
owed b}'  State  missions.  Ministerial  Education  had 
equipped  the  men,  and  they  were  magnif\ang  their  work. 
The  efforts  of  James  Nelson  were  still  being  crowned 
with  success.  In  1875,  there  were  thirty-seven  minis- 
terial students  at  Clinton,  and  after  paying  all  their 
expenses,  there  was  the  sum  of  $225.00  in  the  treasury-. 

The  sixth  annual  report  of  the  Board  was  made  in 
1876.  The  death  of  the  lamented  Nelson  v^^as  reported 
to  the  convention.  The  Board  went  to  its  mother  in 
the  grief  of  its  widowhood  to  place  its  heart-aches 
where  condolence  was  sure  to  be  found.  Two  hundred 
of  us  taken  from  our  rank  and  file  would  scarcely  have 
been  his  equal.  But  it  is  the  Lord  who  \vorks,  and  is 
only  hidden  in  his  agents,  and  is  alwa^'S  readA^  to 
double  the  portion  of  his  spirit  which  we  possess.  Men 
go  to  hear  God's  great  men  speak  to  analyze  their 
power,  and  but  blear  their  vision  trying  to  see  what 
God  veils  in  darkness. 

Three  questions  confronted  the  Board:  Shoukl  thejr 
endeavor  t©  supply  the  place  of  the  lamented  Nelson  ; . 
should  they  gratuitously  support  A'oung  ministers,  or 
require  of  them  a  note  of  hand;  or  would  a  verbal 
promise  to  refund  the  monc}^  be  sufficient.  The  cold 
lips  of  Nelson  could  not  respond  ;  there  was  no  thought 
within  his  marble  brow,  and  these  problems  were  to  be 
solved  bv  the  ken  of  the  dazed  Board. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1383 

It  was,  in  1877,  deemed  unwise  to  employ  a  teacher 
for  the  theological  department  of  the  college,  on  ac- 
count of  the  lack  of  sufficient  means.  There  was  in  the 
college  a  theological  society-  constituted  of  ministerial 
students.  The  society  met  each  week,  when  an  essay 
on  a  theological  subject  was  read  and  discussed.  W.  S. 
Webb,  J.  B.  Gambrell,  and  M.  T.  Martin  met  with  the 
society  alternately  and  assisted  in  the  discussions  of  the 
essays. 

In  1878,  Walter  Hillman  was  president  of  the 
Board,  and  W.  S.  Webb,  secretary.  That  year  there 
were  thirtA'  young  ministers  in  the  college,  sixteen  of 
whom  were  receiving  assistance  from  the  Board.  The 
income  of  the  Board  through  the  year  had  been  $1,- 
006.95.  No  student  received  more  than  $100.00  a  ses- 
sion, and  usually  it  was.  not  necessary  to  pa^-  that 
amount  to  each  one,  as  they  Avei^e  al)le  to  meet  a  part 
of  their  expenses.  Each  beneficiary  was  recjuired  to  be 
a  licensed  minister,  and  to  have  preached  sufficiently 
often  to  enable  his  church  to  judge  of  his  gifts.  This 
judgment  had  to  1)e  confirmed  by  the  Board,  if  help  was 
granted  to  the  applicant. 

The  removal  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Theological 
Seminary  from  Greenville,  S.  C.  to  Louisville,  Kv.,  was 
approved  of  by  our  State  Convention.  Alississippi 
Baptists  willingly  obligated  themselves  to  raise  their 
pro  rata  of  the  $200,000.00  endowment  fund  for  the 
Seminary  to  be  gathered  outside  the  State  of  Kentuckv. 

The  Board,  at  that  time,  had  no  special  agent  in 
the  field  to  raise  funds,  but  J.  B.  Gambrell,  W.  S.  We])b 
and  M.  T.  Alartin  agreed,  "without  pa\',"  to  raise  a 
sufficient  amount  of  money  to  erect  two  more  cottages 
for  the  use  of  the  ministerial  students. 

The    following    year    the    receipts    of    the    Board 


13S4  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

anioiiiitcd  to  J^2,282.21,  the  Central  Assoeiation  lead- 
nio-  with  a  iiift  of  $139.95.  Of  the  $500.00  be(iueathed 
to  Ministerial  Education  l)v  Airs.  IMnkard,  of  Jackson, 
$250.00  was  ]3ut  into  a  cottaiJ'e  for  ministerial  students, 
and  the  remainder  in  improvements  on  the  existing" 
l)uil(lin_tis.  They  had  twenty-eit>"ht  young"  ministers  in 
the  colle.se,  who  had  deported  themselves  becomingly, 
and  were  doing"  good  class  work. 

In  18S0,  there  were  thirt^'-one  ministerial  students 
in  the  college.  There  was  a  larger  number  than  usual 
who  were  able  to  meet  their  own  expenses.  In  some 
■cases  only  $25.00  was  exjjended  through  the  session 
on  a  single  student.  The  receipts  for  the  year  by  the 
Board  amounted  to  $79-t.l0.  This  amount  was  con- 
tributed bv  aliout  seventv-hve  donors.  It  was  an  easy 
matter  to  raise  money  for  this  oliject ;  and  had  more 
money  been  needed,  and  special  efi'ort  put  forth  to  col- 
lect it,  a  handsome  contribution  would  h  ive  been  re- 
ceived. 

In  the  session  of  ISSO-Sl,  the  number  of  young 
preachers  in  the  college  increased  to  thirt\'-seven.  It 
requires  much  consecration  on  the  jjart  of  a  young 
minister,  and  a  great  desire  for  mental  improvement  to 
receive  aid  from  a  Board  of  Ministerial  Education. 
Such  young  men  are  highlv  self-sacrihcing  at  an  ^ige 
when  they  feel  any  reflccticui  upon  their  self-independ- 
ence. They  bow  their  neck  to  the  yoke  onh^  in  a  way 
that  gilds  the  3'oke.  They  feel  that  the  day  will  come 
■  Avhen  they  will  return  the  money,  and  thus  they  will 
extend  forwanl  the  hel])ing  hand  to  another  asi)iring, 
struggling"  brother. 

At  that  time,  Nelson  Cottage  for  young  ministers, 
to  be  liuilt  at  the  college,  was  in  contemplation.  It 
was  decided  to  place  the  erection  of  the  cottage  with 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1385 

the  ladies,  Airs.  Alary  Katliff  to  be  ehainiian  of  the 
committee  of  workers.  Alary  was  to  become  a  Martha 
for  the  youn^  ministry  of  our  State.  Her  daughter, 
Alma,  was,  in  18S4-,  married  to  Baron  D.  Gray,  now 
president  of  Georgetown  College,  Kentucky,  and  has 
by  a  beautiful  fidelity  aided  that  great  man  to  build  an 
enduring-  character,  thus  surpassing  even  her  conse- 
crated mother  as  a  wise  Ijuilder. 

The  following  year,  it  was  reported  that  Airs.  Rat- 
liff  had  raised  $230.00  of  the  amount  needed  to  build 
the  cottage,  and  that  it  would  require  four  or  live  hun- 
dred dollars  more  to  complete  the  l)uilding.  But  women 
keep  on  working;  they  are  used  to  it — "woman's  work 
is  never  done."  A  collection  was  taken  for  the  cottage 
at  the  convention,  amounting  to  $38.49.  So  some  per- 
sons piit  in  four  pennies,  but  women  are  used  to  work- 
ing by  addition,  and  one  more  cent  reaches  much  nearer 
the  end  of  the  work. 

There  were  thirtv-four  students  under  the  Board 
that  year,  only  fifteen  receiving  aid.  The  annucd  col- 
lection of  the  Board  w<is  $1,137.78. 

In  1883,  the  financial  condition  of  the  Board  was' 
easy.  They  received  from  all  sources  $1,152.59,  which 
WHS  a  little  more  than  had  come  in  annually  for  a  few 
years.  One  ministerial  student  died,  C.  M.  Williams,  of 
Tupelo.  It  is  said  of  him  that  he  was  "possessed  of 
more  than  ordinary  intellect,  Wtis  deeply  pious,  and 
bid  fair  to  become  an  eminent  minister.'"  A.  V.  Rowe 
Avas  jiresident  of  the  Board,  and  W.  S.  Webb,  secretary. 

J.  L.  Pettigrew  reported  for  a  committee  to  the 
convention  in  1884-  on  the  Southern  Theological  Semi- 
nary. He  emphasized  three  things :  That  those  who 
owe  the  Seminary  should  pay  it ;  that  Alississippi  Bap- 
tists should  aid  in  the  erection  of  suitable  Ijuildings  for 


1386  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

the  use  of  Seminary  :  and  that  our  ministers,  if  possible, 
should  take  a  course  of  study  at  the  Seminary.  W. 
Hillman  was  president  of  the  Board,  and  A.  V.  Rowe, 
secretary.  About  the  usual  amount  was  received  by 
that  year. 

In  1885,  the  Board  reported  that  Nelson  Cottage 
had  reached  completion.  Mrs.  Ratlifit  had  reached  the 
goal,  and  was  deemed  "  worth\^  of  the  highest  com- 
mendation." The  cottage  had  four  chaml)ers,  a  dining- 
room  and  a  kitchen,  and  it  was  furnished .  The  house 
could  be  occupied  by  eight  young  men  at  a  time.  Pro- 
ject this  thovight  through  the  revolving  3'ears,  and  cal- 
culate, if  you  can,  the  good  done  b\^  this  consecrated 
woman.  Ma^'  the  years  rest  lightly  on  her.  The  re- 
ceipts that  year  had  fallen  l^ack  to  $788.76,  but  the 
sum  of  $63.66  remained  when  all  expenses  were  paid. 
The  fund  that  year  following  amounted  to  $713. 54. 

About  this  time  Alinisterial  Education  took  an  easv 
gait,  and  kept  it  up.  The  number  of  ministerial  stu- 
dents \vas  about  thirt\'-five,  and  the  annual  income 
about  $1,000.00.  In  1888,  there  were  nine  students  in 
the  Theological  Seminary  from  Mississi{)pi.  That  year 
the  sum  of  $1,035.50  was  pledged  and  received  in  cash 
by  Mississippi  Baptists  to  the  Students"  Fund  of  the 
Seminary. 

In  1889-90,  the  Board  of  Alinisterial  Education 
was  robed  with  new  interest.  In  the  year  1889,  it  be- 
came a  corporate  bod^^  and  was  legally  ([ualified  to 
receive  gifts  and  bequests.  Dr.  Robert  Kells  had  left  in 
his  will  a  legacy  to  Ministerial  Education  to  build  a 
memorial  brick  cottage  in  honor  of  his  deceased  wife. 
The  Board  was  about  to  realize  on  the  bequest.  Mrs. 
Manese,  of  Brooksville,  made  a  bequest  to  Ministerial 
Education,  amounting  to  $850.00 ;  and  James  Dennis, 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSrPPr    BAPTISTS.  138T 

at  Hernando,  had   left  in  his  will  a  good   amount  to 
this  cause  to  be  realized  at  the  death  of  his  relict. 

After  the  completion  of  Nelson  Cottage  the  women 
began  to  aid  in  the  work  bA'  getting  up  boxes  of  provi- 
sions for  the  ministerial  students.  The  Woman's  Mis- 
sionary societies,  under  the  wish  and  direction  of  Mrs. 
Adelia  M.  Hillman,  in  1890,  sent  forty-nine  boxes  or 
provisions  as  gifts  to  the  ministerial  students.  The 
contents  of  these  boxes,  it  is  said,  were  worth  $481.15, 
which  was  about  half  the  usual  amount  received  by 
the  Board  in  a  year. 

The  increased  value  of  the  property  of  the  Board 
called  for  more  care  as  to  how  it  was  ke])t,  and  in- 
creased the  responsibility  of  the  Board.  In  1891,  W. 
Hillman  was  president  of  the  Board,  and  S.  M.  Ellis, 
secretar3'-  and  treasurer.  S.  M.  Ellis  is  a  man  of  energj'- 
and  possessed  of  business  qualifications,  and  was  the 
man  for  the  place  at  the  time. 

Thirty-nine  3'oung  ministers  were  enrolled  by  the 
college  in  1890-91.  The  cash  receipts  of  the  Board 
were  $1,025.13  ;  and  boxes  of  provisions  were  received 
valued  at  $298.37.  Nelson  Cottage  was  helpful  in 
giving  a  home  for  eight  young  ministers.  The  dining 
hall,  erected  on  the  Campus,  by  means  of  the  Manese 
l^equCvSt,  brought  the  Board  an  income  of  $85.00  a  year, 
and  it  was  expected  that  theKell's  bequest  of  $6,666.66 
w^ould  soon  be  available. 

The  Board  determined,  in  1892,  to  do  a  gi-eater 
amount  of  work  than  it  had  done  in  one  year  since  the 
da)^  of  the  wonderful  James  Nelson.  S.  M.  Ellis  was 
throwing  heart  and  soul  into  his  work.  Forty-four 
ministerial  students  were  enrolled  hy  the  college  in  the 
session  of  1891-92.  The  total  expenses  of  the  Board 
were  $2,421.13.    The  numlier  of  beneficiaries   had   in- 


1388  JIISTOKV     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

creased  with  the  increased  numljer  of  young"  ministers, 
and  the  stringency  of  the  times  called  for  more  help  for 
the  beneficiaries.  The  Kells  inemorial  building  w^is  in 
process  of  construction,  and  wiis  to  be  ready  for  occu- 
pancy^ by  the  first  of  October,  1892. 

The  Bethea  Fund  was  Ijcconiing  remunerative  by 
interest  bearing.  In  the  spring  of  1882,  the  young 
Bethea,  in  a  meeting  at  Clinton,  gave  his  heart  to  the 
Lord.  God  made  it  a  good  heart,  and  ^vhen  death 
faced  the  3'oung  man,  he  decided  not  to  die  to  the  world. 
He  left  a  bequest  of  $500.00,  the  interest  of  which  was 
to  go  to  ministerial  sujjport  at  his  Almn  Mater.  The 
young  ministers  who  find  ii  roof  for  their  head  in  the 
Webb-Bethea  Cottage  at  Clinton,  preparing  themselves 
for  usefulness,  are  the  happy  recipients  of  the  results  of 
the  kindh'  feeling  and  generous  thouglitfulness  of  the 
slowdA'  dying  young  Betliea. 

In  the  year  1893,  the  receipts  of  the  Board  amount- 
ed to  $1,815.01.  The  average  .amount  paid  each  min- 
isterial student  was  less  than  $60,00  a  year  £igainst 
$67.00  the  jjrevious  year.  Forty  ministerial  students 
were  enrolled  by  Mississippi  College.  S.  AI.  Ellis  was 
nicignifying  his  work  with  his  unusual  talent  and  en- 
ergy.    He  is  a  live  wire  surcharged  with  religious  zeal. 

Walter  Hillman  had  his  name  as  president  of  the 
Board  suliscribed  to  their  report  to  the  convention,  in 
1893,  for  the  last  time.  He  passed  awa^'  before  the 
convention  met  again.  Walter  Hillman  was  a  useful 
man.  He  was  a  man  of  affairs,  a  man  of  consecrated 
energies,  a  thoroughly  cultured  man.  Tiiis  is  no  place 
for  1)iography.  The  death  of  Dr.  Hillman  was  earth's 
inestimable  loss,  heaven's  great  gain. 

In  1894-,  George  Whitfield  w^as  secretary  of  the 
Board.     He  is  vet.     His   heart   is  in    the  work   next  to 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1389 

Foreign  missions.  The  work  done  by  the  Board  in 
1794-  and  1895  was  without  unusual  interest. 

The  Board  aided  twenty-five  of  the  thirty-nine  stu- 
dents enrolled  by  ^Mississippi  College  in  1S96.  That 
3^ear  the  Board  adopted  the  plan  of  loaning  money  to 
ministerial  students,  instead  of  making  it  a  gift.  This 
action  was  received  hy  the  denomination  in  the  State 
with  a  round  of  disapproval.  This  disapproval  was 
more  a  matter  of  sentiment  than  principle.  But  it  was 
a  noble  sentiment.  The  donors  to  Ministerial  Educa- 
tion wished  the  happy  feeling  that  their  donations  were 
free  and  generous  gifts  to  the  Lord's  cause.  The  policy 
was  suspended. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  collegiate  year  of  1896-97, 
the  Board  was  confronted  l)^"  an  obstacle  that  was  a 
stranger  to  it— a  debt  in  the  proportion  of  $254.00. 
This  was  unusual  for  the  Board,  but  perhaps  not  to 
some  of  the  individual  members  of  it.  The  Board  ended 
the  year  out  of  debt. 

The  new  Webb-Bethea  Cottage  Avas  coni])lete  in  the 
summer  of  1897,  furnished  and  paid  for.  It  aftbrded 
comfortable  rooms  for  sixteen  ministerial  students.  It 
is  the  first  cottage  south  of  the  chapel. 

That  3'ear,  the  death  of  a  member  of  the  Board, 
Lewis  Ball,  was  reported  by  the  Board  to  the  Conven- 
tion. That  great  man  of  God  had  passed  to  his  reward. 
Ah !  the  power  he  had  over  a  promiscuous  audience. 
Sometimes,  as  he  preached,  waves  of  emotion  would 
pass  over  his  audience  as  white  caps  over  the  bosom  of 
the  deep  sea.  The  hidden  springs  of  ministerial  power 
dwelt  in  him  like  the  electric  force  in  the  d3'namo.  Ah  ! 
that  power  of  soul  over  soul  is  worth  more  to  the  man 
of  God  than  all  education  and  culture.  Yet,  poor  mor- 
tals, we  cannot  cultivate  ourselves  into  it — we  cannot 
buv  it  with  fine  aold. 


1390  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

In  the  session  of  1897-98  came  a  cause  of  depres- 
sion to  Ministerial  Education.  Yellow  fever,  in  the  fall 
of  1897,  kept  from  the  college  man3'  ministerial  stu- 
dents ;  only  twenty-eight  were  enrolled.  Those  were 
dark  daA'-s.  We  sometimes  feel  that  man's  selfishness, 
and  man's  inhumanit}-  in  an  epidemic  is  worse  than  the 
scourge  itself.  Men  become  cold-hearted  and  without 
charity,  and  drive  their  best  friends  from  their  door. 
Their  total  receipts  that  A^ear  were  $1,015.40. 

The  following  year,  the  number  of  ministerial  stu- 
dents increased  to  thirty-four,  only  twenty-four  of  them 
needing  any  assistance.  A  change  for  the  better  was 
made  in  the  management  of  the  cottages;  a  Negro  man 
^vas  employed  to  do  the  cooking  for  the  ministerial 
students.  That  was  as  it  sliould  have  been.  There 
was  great  loss  of  time  to  the  student  in  taking  his 
"turn"'  at  cooking,  and  fidl  often  just  when  he  needed 
it  worst  in  his  studies. 

Dr.  W.  S.  Webb,  through  reason  of  the  infirmities 
of  age,  resigned  his  position  on  the  Board,  and  W.  T. 
Lowre\'  was  chosen  to  take  his  place.  Such  is  life.  As 
one  brilliant  star  is  rising,  another  is  setting ;  as  fresh 
blood  leaps  in  the  veins  of  one,  and  his  spirit  takes  on 
the  Avings  of  an  eagle,  the  current  of  life  is  sluggish  in 
the  arteries  of  another,  and,  leaning  on  his  staff,  he  sees 
a  strange  light  in  the  far-away,  invisible  to  brighter 
eyes.. 

In  the  closing  year  of  the  century  the  report  of  the 
Board  of  Ministerial  Education  was  cheerful.  The 
agency  for  good  seemed  to  look  out  of  youthful  eyes  to 
hopeful  fields.  There  were  thirt^^-two  ininisterial  stu- 
dents in  the  college.  They  were  doing  well  and  pro- 
gressing in  their  studies  nicely.  The  cause  of  Ministe- 
rial  Education  found   many  helping  spirits.     All  was 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAp-^iSTS.  1391 

Avell  as  the  da^'  was  dawning  on  a  new  century.  Old 
men  might  look  backward  on  a  fading  era,  but  the 
young  stood  in  their  stirrups  and  looked  toward  the 
golden  glory  of  the  dawn  of  a  new  daj'. 

It  is  a  gracious  privilege  to  be  a  minister  of  the 
gospel.  The  minister  thinks  God's  thoughts,  and  feels 
the  warm  pulsations  of  the  divine  heart.  He  talks  with 
God  before  he  talks  to  the  people,  and  tastes  the  heav- 
enl3'  manna  before  he  dispenses  i  to  his  hearers.  His 
mission  is  to  elevate  his  race  in  the  scale  o  oemg,  and 
to  prepare  his  people  for  a  beautiful  worid.  tie  sees 
men  and  women  grow  better  under  his  mmistration  of 
truth,  and  standing  Ijy  them  is  the  lignt  ot  earth  is 
receding,  beholds  the  sublime  courage  of  the  Christian 
as  he  is  exchanging  worlds.  Education  tioes  not  make 
him  powerful ;  it  only  aids  him  in  directing  nis  DOwer. 
God  hidden  behind  the  veil  in  the  hoh'  ot  nones  of  the 
soul,  gives  him  power  of  influence  and  force  o  •  i  cterance, 
that  he  maA'  lead  the  flock  into  pastures  iii-een,  and 
prepare  his  people  for  the  sweet  beyond. 


1392  illSTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     HAPTISTS. 


(JUR  JOURNALLSM. 

The  history  of  our  journalism  is  clothed  with  inter- 
♦^st  and  attended  with  some  sadness.  We  have  had  man  v 
arjle  men  on  the  editorial  work  of  our  papers,  but  the 
^-tiforts  to  maintain  our  newspapers  have  ]3een  spas- 
modic. 

In  Septemlier,  188G,  the  pulihcation  of  the  South- 
western Relig-ious  Luminary  was  begun  by  Ashlev 
Vaughan.  It  was  a  monthly  paper  devoted  to  the 
interests  of  our  people,  and  contained  much  choice  read- 
ing:. Its  editor  was  a  man  of  fine  culture,  and  was  a 
'vnter  of  unusual  ability.  It  was  his  aim  to  encourage 
education,  to  throw  light  on  our  Foreign  mission  work, 
and  to  establish  a  State  Convention,  so  as  to  secure 
unitA^  of  effort  among  Mississippi  Baptists.  The  price 
of  the  monthly,  was  $4-. 00  a  year,  or,  if  not  paid  within 
six.  months,  $5.00  a  year.  It  was  an  eight-])age  paper,  in 
size,  about  one  foot  bj^  one  and  a  halt.  It  was  printed 
in  Natchez  by  the  "Free  Trader'"  on  Alain  street  near 
Commerce  street.  The  ]Jctper  was  issued  in  twenty- 
eight  numbers,  or  for  two  years  and  four  months.  It 
accomplished  much  good.  In  his  last  edit<n-ial  the  edi- 
tor said  :  "Prejudice  against  benevolent  plans  have,  to 
no  inconsidei-able  extent,  been  removed  ;  more  enlight- 
ened views  are  entertained  of  the  cause  of  education 
and  missions,  and,  throughout  the  State,  more  sym- 
pathy felt  in  each  others  trials  and  toils."  One  thou- 
sand copies   were  printed   of  the  first  number  of  the 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1395 

paper,  and  the  same  number  of  copies  issued  monthly 
until  the  close  of  its  publication.  The  last  number  came 
out  February,  1838. 

The  Luminary  was  sold  to  the  Mobile  Monitor, 
and  the  consolidated  paper  called  the  Southwestern 
Monitor  and  Religious  Luminary.  In  all  of  our  voca- 
bulary, it  does  appear  that  a  few  more  words  could 
have  been  found  to  add  to  the  name  of  this  paper. 
George  Felix  Heard  was  its  editor  and  proprietor. 
Ashley  Vaughan  has  been  called  the  father  of  our  con- 
vention. He  was  the  Alfred  the  Great  of  Mississippi 
Baptists.  He  built  wisely  and  effectually  for  the  future 
of  our  people,  and  his  memory  should  be  dear  to  every 
Mississippi  Baptist. 

The  next  paper,  called  the  Alississippi  Baptist,  made 
its  first  appearance  in  1846  with  William  H.  Taylor  as 
editor.  In  1847,  it  was  published  in  Jackson  in  a  brick 
building  above  the  store  of  Harris  and  Shackelford  on 
State  street.  From  July  of  that  year  to  Juh',  1848,  W. 
H.  Taylor  and  William  Carey  Crane  were  its  editors, 
Taylor  and  Hinton  its  proprietors.  After  this  it  was 
conducted  by  an  editorial  committee  until  January, 
1849,  when  J.  B.  Hiteler  assumed  the  editoral  manage- 
ment.    The  paper  was  suspended  in  April  of  that  ye'dv. 

The  publication  of  the  Afjss/ss^ppy  Baptist  was  re- 
sumed in  1857  with  Elliott  and  Williams  as  proprietors, 
and  J.  T.  Freeman,  now  of  Starkville,  as  editor.  It  was 
a  paper  of  four  pages,  about  two  by  two  and  a  half 
feet,  the  price,  $2.00  a  year.  In  August,  1857  J.  T. 
Freeman  w^as  in  full  control  of  the  paper.  Col.  J.  L. 
Power,  now  Secretary-  of  State,  ^vas  at  that  time  fore- 
man of  the  office,  and  authorized  to  receive  money  on 
subscriptions  and  for  job  work.  I  havealwavs  felt  that 
we  had  a  part  interest  in  Col.   Power.     He  was  also 


1394'  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

'Oiir  helper  in  our  troubles  with  the  Orphan's   Home  at 
Lauderdale  Springs  just  after  the  Civil  War. 

In  1859,  William  M.  Farrnr  was  associated  with  J. 
T.  Freeman  in   our  paper  interest,  and  Jairaaiw,  1860, 
W.  \l.  Farrar  and  Aaron  Jones,  Jr.  took  charge  of  the 
Mississippi  Baptist  with  J.    T.   Freeman  as  associate 
•editor.     In  July,  1860,  it  appearsthat  Aaron  JoneswaS 
sole  editor.     Everything  in  the  State  was  becoming 
agitated   and   disturbed   b\"  the  approach  of  war.     In 
August,  1862,  the  Mississippi  Baptist  ran  down  to  a 
paper  of  two  images,  Ijut  in  April,  1861,  it  regained  its 
number  of  pages,  but  with   smaller  dimensions.     The 
last  copy  extant  is  dated   December   11,  1862.     Thus 
endeth  the  second  chapter  of  our  newspaper  enterprise. 
The  prosjiectus   of  The  Christian  Watchman  was 
sent   out  from  Jackson   earh^  in  Januar\",   1866,   and 
specimen  copies  February  14,  1866.    The  first  number 
was   forwarded  to  prominent  Baptists   of  the  State, 
March   15,  1866.     The  enterprise   was   hazardous,  as 
mail    facilities   were   irregular   and    imperfect   at    that 
short  remove  from  the  Civil  War,  and  A'crv   few   of  the 
:first   number  could   reach  their  intended  destination. 
ITie  first  copy  extant  is  of  June  14-,  1S66.    J.   B.   Ham- 
berlin   was  then  editor,   and  Atkins  and  Kimball  pro- 
prietors.    The  price  of  the  paper  was  $5.00  a  3'ear  until 
August  2,  1866,  after  that  time  $4.00  a  year  for  single 
copy. 

H.  M.  Atkins  appeared  as  editor  January  27,  1867, 
and  associated  with  him  Joseph  Sorsby,  March  8, 1867. 
On  Miiy  16,  1867,  Whitfield,  Ward  &  Co.  were  proprie- 
tors, with  Theodore  Whitfield  as  editor,  and  Joseph 
Sorsb\'  associate  editor.  The  last  number  preserved  is 
.a  copy  of  Se])tember  26,  1867. 

The  design  of  the  paper  was  to  foster  Foreign  mis- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1395 

sions,  Home  missions,  the  Educational  interests  and 
the  Orphan's  Home.  The  report  on  Publications  made 
to  the  convention  of  1867,  written  b\'  Dr.  D.  P.  Bestor 
says  :  "  Should  the  l^rethern  throughout  the  State  come 
to  its  support  it  would  be  liberally  sustained,"  which 
amounts  to  about  the  same  as  saying:  "Should  I 
make  a  great  man,  a  great  man  I  would  be." 

The  Judson  Baptist  made  its  appearance  at  Tupelo 
in  1868.  It  was  said  to  be  "  the  only  religious  paper 
published  in  the  interest  of  the  Baptist  denomination 
in  this  State."  John  S.  Carothers  and  L.  A.  Stovall 
were  its  editors.  It  was  said  of  the  paper  that  it  had 
"every  facility"  for  making  "a  welcome  visitor  to 
every  household  in  the  State." 

The  paper  was  to  cost  the  subscriber  $2.50  a  year. 
Its  existence  was  surely  transient.  All  the  information 
that  can  be  gotten  as  to  its  existence  is  a  single  adver- 
tisement. It  must  have  frozen  out  that  winter  from 
lack  of  proper  financial  covering. 

The  paper  was  published  in  the  territory  of  the  Jud- 
son Associations,  and  perhaps  its  patronage  was 
largely  local. 

At  the  convention  at  Canton  in  1869,  Dr.  J.  R. 
Graves  proffered  Mississippi  Baptists  one  page  of  his 
paper.  The  Baptist,  for  their  exclusive  use,  and  it  was 
resolved  that  the  proposal  be  accepted  and  J.  T.  Free- 
man was  nominated  by  the  Committee  on  Publications 
as  editor  of  the  dejjartment. 

At  West  Point  in  June,  1870,  Gen.  M.  P.  Lowrey 
was  unanimously  elected  b_v  the  convention  to  preside 
over  this  department  of  The  Baptist.  He  discharged 
his  duties  in  this  capacity  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of 
the  members  of  the  convention.  He  had  a  difficult 
work  to  perform.     The  college  property  was  under  a 


1396  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

heavy  mortgage,  which  had  to  be  raised,  and  the  in- 
flaming question  of  alien  immersion  as  taught  in  the 
Seminary  must  be  discussed  in  his  department  of  The 
Baptist.  Man^'  of  the  progressive  members  of  the  con- 
vention thought  a  paper  in  Mississippi,  representing 
the  interests  of  our  people  should  be  undertaken.  As 
earh'  as  1872,  at  the  convention  at  Meridian,  Dr.  J.  R. 
Graves  being  present.  Prof.  M.  T.  Alartin,  in  a  short 
speech,  was  explicit  in  the  statement  of  his  belief  that 
such  a  paper  was  then  a  necessity. 

Gen.  M.  P.  Lowrey  was  a  cool,  correct  man.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Semi- 
nary, and  was  devoted  to  its  interests.  He  was  ready 
at  an}^  time  to  yield  his  place  as  editor  of  his  depart- 
ment, but  was  fearful  the  enterprise  would  be  rashly 
projected.  At  the  June  meeting  of  1876,  a  Committee 
on  Publications  made  a  recommendation,  which  was 
adopted,  that  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  to 
nominate  fifteen  brethren  to  take  in  hand  the  establish- 
ment of  a  State  paper.  The  committee  of  fifteen  w£is 
composed  of  Lowre^^  Gordon,  Goodw^-n,  Pettigrew,. 
Sproles,  Mason,  Ralyea,  Gambrell,  R.  N.  Hall,  Zealy, 
Hackett,  Rowe,  Sellers,  Kells  and  John  Powell.  Gen. 
AI.  P.  Lowrey  immediately  resigned  his  position  as 
editor  of  the  Mississippi  department  of  the  Baptist,  and 
suitable  resolutions  were  adopted  by  the  convention  on 
his  resignation. 

The  first  of  Februarv,  1877,  the  Baptist  Record 
was  projecte  1,  J.  B.  Gambrell  and  Prof.  M.  T.  Martin, 
editors.  -This  inaugvu-atcd  a  new  era  in  the  history  of 
JVlississippi  Ba])tists.  The  publication  of  the  paper  was 
begun  at  Clinton,  but  it  was  moved  to  Jackson  on  May 
8,  1879,  to  secure  larger  advertisements  for  the  paper,, 
and  for  easier  distribution.     In  July  1880,  Prof.  M.  T. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1397 

Martin  retired  from  the  editorial  management  of  the 
Record,  preparatory  to  moving  to  Texas  for  the  health 
of  his  wife. 

The  Record  was  moved  from  Clinton  to  Jackson  the 
second  time  in  January,  1886,  when  L.  S.  Foster  went 
on  the  editorial  staff,  which  was  just  before  the  disas- 
trous fire  in  which  the  paper  lost  so  seriousl}'.  L.  S. 
Foster  retired  from  the  work  one  year  after  the  fire. 
In  April,  1887,  the  Record  was  moved  to  Meridian,  and 
consolidated  with  the  Southern  Baptist,  andwas  called 
the  Southern  Baptist  Record. 

The  fir:.t  numloer  of  the  Southern  Baptist  came  out 
Jttly  1 ',  1^<5.  At  the  time  of  the  union  of  the  two 
pap.-.s,  the  Southern  Baptist  had  a  subscription  list  of 
2,400,  and  afforded  the  finest  medium  of  advertising  in 
East  Mississippi. 

For  \'ears,  the  Southern  Baptist  was  devoted  to 
the  interests  of  the  General  Association  of  Southeast 
Mississippi.  After  its  consolidation  with  the  Baptist 
Record,  the  General  Association  endorsed  the  consoli- 
dated interest.  In  1888,  L.  A.  Duncan  was  an  asso- 
ciate editor  in  the  service  of  the  General  Association. 

But  m  1889,  a  restlessness  was  manifested  in  that 
body  as  to  its  family  paper.  It  was  said  :  "Few  sub- 
scribe for  the  Record,  and  the  numl^er  is  growing  con- 
tinually less.'"  A  committee  raised  to  consider  the 
matter  decided  to  start  a  paper  in  the  special  support 
of  the  interests  of  the  General  Association. 

The  Mississippi  Baptist  soon  began  publication  at 
Newton,  with  N.  L.  Clark  as  editor.  It  was  endorsed 
l)y  the  General  Association  in  1890.  The  paper  is,  at 
this  date,  widely  circulated  in  eastern  Mississippi.  N. 
L.  Clark  says  he  is  a  "slow  man,''  but  .he  is  a  good 
worker,    and    persistent    in   whatever  he  undertakes 


1398  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

His  paper  is  adapted  to  the  needs  of  the  General  Asso- 
ciation. The  people  of  the  eastern  part  of  the  State 
impose  implicit  confidence  in  him.  He  is  now  in  his 
91st  year,  and  is  feeble,  but  active. 

January  1,  1888,  Dr.  J.  A.  Hackett  became  one  of 
the  editors  of  the  Record.  J.  B.  Gambrell  just  before 
the  convention,  withdrew  from  the  active  manaoe- 
ment  of  the  paper  and  December,  1891,  dissolved  his 
connection  with  all  interest,  that,  with  onh^  a  short 
intermission,  had  received  his  constant  thought  for 
nearl3^  fifteen  years.  He^was  succeeded  in  the  editorial 
work  b^^  G.  W.  Gardner  of  Oxford.  H.  M.  Long  and  J, 
J.  W.  Mathis  deserve  much  credit  for  work  done  among 
the  people  for  the  Record. 

On  October  15,  1890,  the  first  issue  of  The  Baptist 
Layman  was  published  in  Winona.  Dr.  W.  A.  Hurt 
was  editor  and  proprietor.  It  was  issued  monthly. 
The  object  of  the  enterprise  was  to  furnish  a  paper 
especially-  suited  to  the  needs  of  the  lait\%  and  hence  the 
paper  was  called  The  Baptist  Layman.  The  reading 
matter  consisted  largely  of  selections  culled  from  re- 
ligious papers  North  and  South.  The  paper  sought 
circulation  in  all  the  Southern  States,  and,  to  secure 
this,  many  sample  copies  of  the  first  issue  were  sent  to 
A^irginia,  Georgia,  North  Carolina  and  South  Carolina, 
Alabama  and  Tennessee.  Quite  a  number  of  subscribers 
were  secured  in  each  of  these  States  before  the  second 
issue  appeared. 

In  October,  1S91,  The  Layman  was  issued  as  a 
semi-monthh^  at  fifty  cents  a  3'ear.  Soon  after  this,  a 
number  of  associations  in  our  State  recommended  the 
paper  in  their  reports  on  Publications.  The  subscrip- 
tions in  Alississippi  so  increased  that  it  was  thought 
best  to  identify'  the  paper  with  our  State  denomina- 
tional affairs. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1399 

In  1895,  T.  J.  Bailey,  then  pastor  of  the  church  in 
Winona,  was  placed  in  chiirge  ot  the  editorial  depart- 
ment. Under  this  management,  the  paper  grew  in  favor 
with  its  readers,  and  Dr.  Hurt  was  urgently  requested 
to  issue  the  paper  Aveekly.  Circumstances  indicated 
that  the  polic\'  would  be  wise. 

At  the  State  Convention  in  Starkville,  after  hearing 
the  recommendation  of  the  Committee  on  Publications, 
the  arrangement  was  made  to  bring  out  the  paper 
weekly.  Dr.  John  L.  Johnson  took  charge  of  the  editorial 
department.  The  sprightly  pen  of  this  scholarly  master 
of  English  soon  gave  the  paper  a  leading  place  with  the 
Baptists  of  the  South.  Dr.  Johnson  continued  editor 
of  the  paper  until  it  was  purchased  by  the  Mississippi 
Baptist  Publishing  Company. 

During  the  fall  of  1897,  Dr.  Hurt's  health  was  fail- 
ing rapidly,  and,  in  April,  1898,  a  specialist  on  heart 
diseases  pronounced  his  case  organic  heart  trouble.  It 
became  necessary-  for  him  to  give  up  his  ^vork,  and  to 
seek  quiet  and  repose  from  lalior.  In  Alay  of  that  year, 
his  son,  H.  P.  Hurt,  realized  that  some  dis])osition 
should  be  made  of  the  paper  interest.  While  the  dele- 
gates to  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention  \vere  in 
^-aiting  at  Winona  for  a  train  eastward  for  Norfolk, 
Va.,  H.  P.  Hurt  had  much  conversation  with  them  as 
to  forming  a  stock  company  to  bu^^  The  Laymnn.  Be- 
ing encouraged  by  the  reception  received  by  his  propo- 
sition, he  went  with  the  delegates  as  far  as  Birming- 
him,  Ala.,  for  extended  discussion  of  the  subject.  T.  J. 
Bailey  w^as  requested  to  extend  the  investigation  of  the 
matter  in  conversation  with  the  delegates  while  at  the 
Southern  Convention.  Dr.  Hurt's  ph\'sical  condition 
was  so  critical  that  these  projections  were  not  made 
known  to  him  until  al)out  the  time  the  State  Conven- 
Z'ion  met  at  Brookhaven  in  July  following. 


14-00  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

At  that  State  Convention  the  "  paper  conterence" 
Avas  held,  whieh  resulted  in  the  organization  ot  the 
Mississippi  Baptist  I'uhlishingCompan^^  The  effort  to 
form  a  stoek  eonipany  to  purehase  the  Record  and  the 
Lnvmnn,  and  thus  to  eonsolidate  our  paper  interest 
was  eomniended  b}'  the  eonvention.  The  health  of  Dr. 
Hurt  had,  1)y  that  time,  somewhat  improved,  and  he 
reluctantly  gave  up  the  enterprise  he  long  had  cherished, 
but  ac(iuiesced  in  the  wish  of  the  convention.  The  con- 
tract for  the  sale  of  the  Laymnn  was  signed  at  West 
Point  August  20,  1S98.  Below  we  give  the  signed  in- 
strument. 

"This  writing  witnesseth  the  following  contract 
between  Dr.  W.  A.  Hurt  and  the  Alississippi  Baptist 
Publishing  Company : 

The  said  \V.  A.  Hurt  has  this  day  sold  the  said 
Publishing  Company  his  paper,  the  Baptist  Layman, 
including  the  suljscription  list  and  good  will,  lor  $2,- 
600 — one  hundred  dollars  of  said  amount  to  be  paid  in 
stock  of  said  company  and  the  l3alance  to  be  paid  in 
quarterh'  installments,  beginning  with  collection  of 
iirst  installment  of  subscription  to  said  comp£in\'. 

Said  company  to  fulfill  all  contracts  the  said  Hurt 
has  outstanding  with  subscri])ers  to  Layman,  and  for 
said  service  the  value  of  such  subscription  in  accordance 
with  the  price  of  the  Layman  is  to  be  deducted  from  the 
above  amount. 

In  accordance  with  the  al3ove,  and  in  compliance 
thereto,  the  business  manager  of  said  company,  by 
order  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  and  Dr.  W,  A.  Hurt 
hereb}'  subscribe  their  name." 

(Signed.)        W.  A.  Hurt, 
T.  J.  Bailey. 

In  1898,  a  stock  comioany  was  formed  with  a  capi- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1401 

tal  of  $10,000  "for  operating-  one  Baptist  paper  in  Mis- 
sissippi," and  called  on  the  convention  for  its  approval 
to  the  enterprise.  The  proposition  was  accepted  by 
the  convention,  the  Record  and  the  Layman  agreed  to 
sell  their  interests  to  the  new  paper,  and  "all  went 
inerr\' as  a  marriag^e  l)ell.''  The  new  paper  was  called 
The  Baptist. 

The  two  men  chosen  hy  the  Board  of  Managers  of 
The  Baptist  to  project  the  enterprise  were  men  of  fine 
capabilities.  The  editor,  Rev.  J.  B.  Searcy,  D.  D.,  had 
large  experience  in  religious  journalism,  and  was  well 
informedonthe  workof  our  denomination  in  the  .South, 
and  was  posted  on  the  existing-  issues  that  vexed  the 
thoughts  of  our  leading  men.  To  these  recommenda- 
tions, was  added  his  age  with  the  wisdom  that  had 
come  to  him  in  an  eventful  public  life.  Rev.  T.  J.  Bailee- 
carried  to  the  paper  fine  business  capacity.  It  need  not 
excite  incredulity-,  if  it  be  said  that,  though  a  preacher, 
he  is  one  of  our  most  correct  lousiness  men.  He  is  ani- 
mated b\'  a  Scotch  persistency  in  routine  work.  The 
desk  at  which  he  works  seems  to  fit  him  as  his  clothing;. 
He  also  had  graced  the  editor's  triped  before  his  con- 
nection with  The  Baptist. 

Both  the  editor  and  the  business  manai^er  were  in 
hearty  sympathy  with  our  organized  work.  This  unity 
of  feeling  produced  a  oneness  in  the  character  of  The 
Baptist.  No  number  of  the  paper  shows  an\''  personal 
antagonism  between  them.  They  walked  together  in 
harmon\'  and  shook  hands  in  peace  when  their  roads 
parted.  Some  religious  newspapers  forfeit  their  adjec- 
tive. One's  religiousness  feels  hungry  when  he  has  read 
them  through,  and  his  combativeness  is  satiated  and 
plethoric.  The  proprietors  of  The  Baptist  gave  us  from 
the  ])eginning  a  clean  paper,  one  that  aided  Christian 
living  and  Christian  effort. 


14'02  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Dr.  J.  B.  Searcy  was  born  in  Eufaula,  Ala.,  in  183S, 
but  came  to  Alississippi  in  1851  with  his  father,  who 
settled  in  Lauderdale  count^^  Dr.  Searcy's  second 
birth  was  in  our  State.  He  was  converted  and  l3ap- 
tized  at  Mt.  Vernon  church  in  Newton  county,  Septem- 
ber 30,  1855.  In  1857,  he  left  our  vState  to  help  the 
citizens  of  Louisiana  and  Arkansas  to  better  living. 
One  of  his  daughters  w^as  educated  at  Blue  Alountain 
Female  College,  and  is  now  the  modest  and  model  wife 
of  Dr.  W,  T.  Low^re3''.  Dr.  Searcy  w-as  near  us  Avhile 
aw^ay  from  us,  and  has  gotten  ver\'  near  to  some  of  us 
since  his  return  to  Mississippi.  After  the  Civil  War  he 
was  a  correspondent  of  The  Baptist,  Alemphis,  Tenn., 
and  w^as  subsequenth'  editor  of  the  paper  for  Arkansas 
as  Gen.  M.  P.  LowrcA^  was  for  Mississippi.  In  1869, 
Dr.  Searc\-  was  elected  by  the  stock  company  as  editor 
of  the  Arkansas  Evangel,  now  the  Arkansas  Baptist, 
Avhich  position  he  occupied  until  he  sold  his  interest  in 
the  paper  to  Dr.  B.  R.  Womack  in  1884.  In  November, 
1892,  he  became  associate  editor  of  The  Baptist  Chroni- 
cle in  Louisiana.  Perhaps  we  should  have  permitted 
Arkansas  and  Louisiana  to  have  and  to  hold  him 
longer,  but  he  was  needed  in  the  State  of  his  second 
nativity  at  Corinth,  and  in  Januar3%  1896,  we  called 
him  home,  and  shall  be  loath  to  give  him  up  again. 

Rev.  T.  J.  Baile3'  was  "to  the  manor  born."  He  is 
one  of  the  gifts  granted  the  Baptists  by  Holmes  county, 
that  generous  niissionar\'  mother.  He  was  educated 
at  Mississippi  College,  and  showed  his  capacity'  thus 
earh'  for  double  work  b3^  making  a  good  record  as  a 
student  and  winning  a  noble  wife  at  the  same  time. 
For  man^'  3'ears  he  was  secretar3^  and  treasurer  of  the 
Convention  Board. 

Rev.  T.  J.  Bai]e3'  was  foremost  in  the  effort  to  form 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1403 

a  stock  company  "for  operating  one  Baptist  paper  in 
Mississippi.''  I  am  informed  that  he  was  first  encour- 
aged in  the  undertaking  b\'  President  B.  G.  Lowrey  of 
Blue  Mountain  Female  College.  It  was  felt  that  no 
one  man,  or  two  men,  would  project  the  enterprise,  and 
that  a  stock  company-  could  be  formed  with  some  effort, 
to  put  into  effect  the  interest,  which  was  then  deemed 
necessary  for  the  relief  of  the  denomination  from  the 
disintegrating  influence  of  the  two  existing  Baptist 
papers  in  the  State.  A  temporary  stock  company  met 
in  Brookhaven  in  July,  1S98.  The  design  of  the  move- 
ment was  commended  at  the  time  by  the  Baptist  State 
Convention.  Encouraged  b}-  this  commendation.  Rev. 
T.  J.  Bailey-  spent  the  following  August  in  completing 
by  subscription  the  capital  stock  of  $10,000,  the  stock- 
holders being  distributed  throughout  the  State. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  stockholders,  held  September  5, 
1898,  Dr.  J.  B.  Searcy  was  elected  editor  of  The  Baptist 
and  Rev.  T.  J.  Bailey,  business  manager.  The  members 
of  the  organized  board  of  directors  were  :  Thonuis  Alc- 
Cleland,  president;  A.  Flake,  L.  A.  Duncan,  S.  L.Hearn, 
B.  W.  Griffith,  Dr.  J.  E.  Noble  and  J.  T.  Buck.  The 
members  of  the  present  board  of  directors  are:  W.  F 
Yarborough,  president;  T.  J.  Bailey-,  secretary  and 
treasurer;  A.  Flake,  H.  P.  Hurt,  L.  A.  Duncan,  J.  T. 
Buck  and  Thomas  McCleland.  Owing  to  the  preva. 
lence  of  yellow  fever  in  Jackson,  where  the  paper  was 
to  be  published,  the  first  number  of  The  Baptist  did  not 
appear  until  November  16,  1898.  The  Baptist  is  to 
enter  the  new  century  after  a  prosperous  existence  of  a 
little  more  than  two  years. 

At  the  expiration  of  one  year  Dr.  Searc\'"s  connec- 
tion with  The  Baptist  ceased,  and  he  became  pastor  of 
the  Baptist  church  at  Biloxi,  where  his  labors  have 


1404-  HISTORY     OF    MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

been  abundantly  blessed.  T.  J.  Bailey  suceeeded  Dr. 
Searcy  as  editor  on  October  1,  1890,  and  holds  at  this 
writing  the  double  position  of  editor  and  general  man- 
ager ot  the  paper,  which  is  growing  in  influence  and 
circulation. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  14-05 


THE  ORPHAN'S  HOME. 

In  the  year  1864,  many  of  Alississippi's  bravest  and 
best  sons  had  fallen  on  the  sanguinary  field,  heroicalh' 
facing  an  invading  foe.  The  children  of  quite  a  number 
ol  them  were  left  without  adequate  means  of  support. 
The  secular  press  of  our  State  seriously  discussed  at 
that  time  the  establishment  of  a  Home  for  the  destitute 
orphans  of  Confederate  Soldiers.  The  sentiment  be- 
came so  well  defined  that  public  meetings  were  held  to 
deliberate  on  the  matter ;  one  in  the  city  of  Jackson, 
called  at  the  instance  of  the  governor  of  the  State,  and 
one  at  Columbus,  over  Avhich  Bishop  Green,  of  the  Epis- 
copal church  presided. 

The  wish,  in  1864-,  was  to  induce  all  the  evangeli- 
cal denominations  in  the  State  to  unite  in  the  support 
and  maintainance  of  an  Orphan's  Home.  But  this  was 
not  expedient.  Then  it  was  thought  best  for  some  one 
denomination  to  assume  the  general  control  and  direc- 
tion of  such  an  institution,  and  as  the  Baptists  of  the 
State  were  numericalh'  strong,  they  ventured  to  under- 
take to  launch  the  worthy  benevolence. 

The  institution  was  opened  in  an  unpretentious 
way  on  the  first  of  October,  1864,  having  in  it  two 
little  girls  as  beneficiaries,  and  one  interested  mother, 
afterward  emploj'ed  as  a  laborer.  The  Mississippi  Bap- 
tist State  Convention  met  at  Crawfordville,  October 
26,  1864,  and  set  on  foot  measures  that  induced  the 
establishment  of  the  OrjDlian's  Home  at  Lauderdale. 


1406  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  cliarter  of  the  Orphan's  Home  gave  the  entire 
control  of  the  Home  to  the  State  Convention.  The 
Convention  appointed  the  Board  of  Trustees,  one-third 
of  them  each  year.  But  the  Trustees  were  not  all  of 
necessity  to  be  Baptists.  The  institution  was  to  be 
conducted  in  the  broad  spirit  of  "Catholic  Christian- 
ity,*' and  to  get  its  maintainance  from  an^-  worthy 
source.  The  Ijreathing  child  born  the  semblance  of  its 
early  conception.  Its  duplex  character  caused  it  to  be 
not  in  high  favor  with  the  most  strenuous  Baptists,  or 
with  the  co-operating  members  of  other  denominations 
Avho  wished  it  less  like  a  Baptist. 

Its  domicile  at  Lauderdale  had  some  things  unpleas- 
ant connected  with  it.  A  brief  histor\'  of  its  location 
will  be  necessary  to  a  clear  conception  of  the  enterprise. 
The  property  known  as  Lauderdale  Springs,  in  1861, 
belonged  to  Joshua  F.  Speed  of  Louisville,  Ky.  In  that 
year  he  sold  it,  and  deeded  it  to  B.  B.  Smith.  To  secure 
the  payments  of  the  notes  given,  Smith  executed  a 
mortgage  deed  to  the  property.  Smith's  notes  and 
mortgciges  were  placed  in  the  hands  of  C.  H.  Minge,  of 
Mobile,  Ala.,  Speed's  agent.  In  October,  1864,  Minge 
accepted  a  payment  of  Smith  as  full  satisfaction  of  all 
notes,  K.  Leachman  being  his  attorney,  thus  leaving 
Smith  sole  and  rightful  possessor  of  the  propertv. 

B.  B.  Smith  at  once  sold  the  property'  to  Hurlbutt, 
Sturgess&Co.,  and  a  deed  was  properly  and  legally  exe- 
cuted, Ijearing  the  date  of  October  24, 1864.  In  Novem- 
ber of  that  year  the  property  was  duly  transferred  to 
the  Baptist  State  Convention  for  the  sum  of  $50,000.00 
in  existing  currency'  in  the  State,  $10,000.00  in  Con- 
federate money  being  paid  in  cash  at  once. 

The  Civil  War  ended  in  the  spring  of  1865  at  which 
time  the  convention  still  owed  Hurlbutt,  Sturges&  Co, 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1407 

$40,000.00  to  be  paid  in  a  currency  then  worthless. 
To  pay  this  amount  in  United  States  currency'  \Yould 
have  been  preposterous.  To  simpHly  matters  Hurlbutt, 
Sturges  &  Co.  claimed  the  property  and  resold  it  to  the 
trustees  of  the  Home  for  $7,000.00,  which  the  trustees 
paid  at  different  times. 

But  on  October  20,  1866,  Speed,  who  having::  re- 
mained in  Kentucky  during  the  civil  strife,  refused  to 
recognize  the  transactions  of  his  agents  in  his  absence, 
and  entered  suit  in  the  United  States  Court  at  Jackson 
for  the  recovery  of  his  property.  The  payment  to  Smith 
Avas  decided  by  that  triljunal  to  he  null  and  void,  and 
the  property'  escaped  the  hands  of  the  convention  after 
$7,000.00  had  been  received  for  it  in  full  satisfaction, 
and  by  a  supposed  legal  process.  But  to  the  credit  of 
the  men  who  sold  thetnthe  property,mostof  the  money 
paid  out  for  the  projjerty  was  refunded  to  the  trustees 
ol  the  Home ;  Sturges  paid  in  his  own  name,  and  the 
name  of  J.  R.  Graves,  $2,610.00,  Hurlbutt  $1,500.00, 
and  L.  A.  Duncan  v$700. 00,  the  pro  rata  of  money  re- 
ceived in  the  sale  of  property.  The  case  was  figreeably 
and  amicably  settled.  These  men  disclaimed  anA'  idea 
of  speculation,  acted  for  the  good  of  the  Home  with  the 
best  lights  the\'  had  iDelore  them,  and  preserved  their 
honor  and  integrity  throughout.  The  financial  SA'stem 
had  to  pass  through  a  seething  process  after  the  Civil 
War. 

In  the  conventional  year  of  1865—66,  T.  C.  Teas- 
dale,  J.  R.  Graves,  J.  T.  Freeman,  and  F.  L.  Seward, 
acted  as  general  agents  for  the  Home.  Of  these  T.  C. 
Teasdale  was  recognized  as  general  superintendent  and 
financial  agent.  He  collected  in  cash  $17,793.00,  and 
secured  in  subscription  the  sum  of  $3,186.68,  2,700 
bushels  of  corn   and  twelve  bales   of  cotton,     W.    C. 


1408  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Buck  was  the  local  superintendent  and  chaplain  of  the 
Home.  The  institution  was  at  the  time  without 
charter,  constitution,  or  rules  and  regulations.  There 
was  an  indeljtedness  on  the  property  of  the  Home  of 
about  $4,000.00.       " 

In  1866—67,  T.  C.  Teasdale  was  again  the  general 
financial  agent  of  the  Home,  and  S.  S.  Granbeny,  gen- 
eral superintendent.  The  general  agent  spent  several 
months  in  Missouri,  f'rom  Alissourihe  went  into  Ken- 
tucky. In  each  of  these  States,  he  was  well  received, 
the  women  leading  in  the  support  of  his  cause.  In 
Missouri  he  collected  $9,297.43,  in  KentuckA'  $5,157.- 
78,  in  Tennessee  $368.10,  and  in  Alississippi  $151.40 
in  cash  :  in  Missouri  in  goods  $1,269.62,  in  Kentucky 
in  goods  $11,425.85,  and  in  Tennessee  in  goods  $453.10. 
The\^  had  in  the  Home  136  orphans.  Mrs.  Laura  Reed 
collected  for  the  Home  that  year  $3,092.00.  vShe  was  a 
great-hearted  woman.  She  was  related  to  Gen.  Duff 
Green.  She  died  in  Yicksburg  in  the  spring  of  1873, 
and  was  buried  at  Dalton,  Georgia.  The  writer  offi- 
ciating at  her  funeral.  He  was  pastor  of  the  church  at 
Dalton  at  the  time 

In  1867—68,  Gov.  B.  G.  Humphries  was  president 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  W.  S.  Webb,  secretary-,  and 
Jas.  B.  McLelland,  treasurer.  Prof.  S.  S.  Granberry 
was  the  general  superintendent  of  the  institution.  A 
charter  had  been  secured  and  a  constitution  adopted  at 
the  sitting  of  the  convention  in  1868.  The\'  had  in  the 
Home  232  children.  Of  these  102  were  the  orphans  of 
Alasons,  and  forty  or  fifty  orphans  of  Odd  Fellows. 
These  benevolent  orders  were  doing  much  toward  the 
support  of  the  Home.  The  sum  of  $11,370.00  was  re- 
ceived during  the  3'ear  for  the  purposes  of  the  institu- 
ion. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSTSSirPl     BAPTISTS.  14-09 

The  tollowing"  A-ear  there  were  2(3-i  ehildreii  in  the 
Home,  aljout  all  that  eould  l)e  well  aeeommodated. 
During"  the  A'ear  a  little  over  $11,000.00  Avas  received 
^roni  different  sources.  Contributions  \vere  received 
from  our  own  State,  Alabama,  Tennessee,  Kentucky, 
Missouri,  Indiana,  Maryland,  Ohio,  New  York,  and 
Massachusetts.  The  contributions  were  received 
through  "the  unwearying  exertions  of  agents."  The 
Orphan's  Home  Bnnner  was  doing  a  good  work,  as  it 
>vas  bringing  in  mone\'  and  advertising  the  Home. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  convention  at  West  Point  in 
1S70,  a  mass  meeting  Avas  held  for  the  consideration  of" 
the  Orphan's  Home,  Saturday  night.  The  speakers 
were:  L.  Ball,  Col.  J.  L.  Power,  and  Prof  T.  S.  Gath- 
right.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting  a  collection  was 
taken  in  cash  and  ])ledges  amounting  to  $2,100.00. 

The  troubled  question  as  to  the  denominational 
character  of  the  Home  had  to  come  to  the  front.  A.  H. 
Booth,  as  chairman  of  a  committee  to  report  on  the 
subject  placed  a  good  report  l)efore  the  convention. 
He  admitted  great  dissatisfaction  among  the  Baptists 
and  other  denominations  on  this  subject,  and  presented 
this  resolution  : 

''Resolved,  That  the  time  has  come  when  it  be- 
comes the  duty  of  the  convention  to  give  the  Home  a 
more  definite  denominational  character;  provided, that 
this  resolution  shall  not  prevent  the  convention  from, 
appointing  any  one  deemed  competent  to  act  as  a  trus- 
tee to  the  Home,  or  as  emplo^-ees,  not  connected  with 
the  Baptisi  denomination.''  He  was  careful  not  to  in- 
jure the  bird  that  was  laying  the  golden  egg. 

It  was  at  that  date  the  trustees  were  in  great 
trouble  as  to  property  of  the  Home.  They  had  lost 
their  title  to  the  Lauderdale  property.     What    was  to. 


1410  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

be  done  ?  The\'  had  200  helpless  orphans  to  feed  and 
shelter,  and  no  home  for  them.  The  rent  was  secureei 
on  the  Lauderdale  jjroperty  to  the  end  of  the  year, 
Avhich  gave  them  a  breathing  and  time  to  think,  and 
plan  for  the  future.  They  had  no  general  i.gent  in  the 
field.  An  attempt  was  made  to  eontract  the  third 
time  for  the  Lauderdale  property,  but  alter  some  hopes 
had  animated  them,  they  despa  ired  securing  it  on  favor- 
able terms.  The\'  succeeded,  h  owever, in  securing  some 
"government  buildings  "  on  property  one  mile  north  of 
the  Lauderdale  estate  for  the  sum  oi  $558.00.  Gover- 
nor Ames  had  it  sold  at  public  sale.  It  is  said  that  it 
was  worth  ten  times  the  amou  nt  paid  for  it.  They  pur- 
chased 260  acres  adjacent  to  the  government  property, 
and  considered  the  Home  permanently  located. 

The  receipts  in  1870  were,  from  the  Alasons  $2,- 
363.88,  through  agents  $3,651.25,  on  subscriptions  to 
the  "Banner"  $1,863.37,  and  from  all  other  sources  $3,- 
603.62. 

Another  mass  meeting  was  held  on  tlie  Home 
Saturday  night  during  the  sitting  of  the  convention  of 
1871.  The  meeting  was  addressed  by  A.  A.  Lomax,  J. 
E.  Gambrell,  and  Col.  J.  L.  P^ower.  The  needs  of  the  in- 
stitution were  not  so  urgent  as  the  A^ear  before,  and  the 
collection  in  cash  and  pledges  not  so  great :  they 
amounted  to  $338.00. 

The  sixth  annual  report  presented  b\'  the  secretary, 
W.  S.  Webb,  was  in  tone  cheerful.  The  report  began 
with 'these  two  sentences:  "  The  Orphans"  Home  still 
lives  I  And  it  lives  in  vigorous  health,  and  elastic  grow- 
ing strength."'  The  Home  had  passed  through  an 
ordeal,  but  passed  the  crisis,  and  was  again  in  good 
shape.  Its  friends  were  numerous,  and  (}uitc  liberal  in 
its  sup])ort. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1411 

They  had  no  agent  in  the  field  in  the  State,  yet  the 
receipts  from  our  people  were  in  excess  of  former  years. 
The  Masonic  Fraternity,  without  solicitation,  had 
given  material  aid.  A  band  of  thirty  orphans,  under 
the  direction  of  A.  D.  Trimble,  went  through  the  South, 
giving  musical  entertainments,  by  which  agency  the 
handsome  amount  of  $16,000.00  was  collected  in  cash 
and  supplies.  These  thirty  "  Warbling  Orphans"  were 
everywhere  greeted  with  much  enthusiasm.  The  de- 
nominational character  of  the  Home  was  well  defined, 
good  titles  secured  to  their  property,  and  no  debt  on 
it,  with  $4,385.55  surplus  in  the  treasury. 

But  the  institution  had  suffered  a  sad  bereavement. 
S.  S.  Granberr3-  passed  to  his  reward  on  January  13, 
1871.  He  had  made  an  energetic  and  wise  suijcrintend- 
ent  of  the  Home,  and  his  loss  from  the  management  of 
its  affairs  was  universalh'  regretted.  T.  J.  Dupree  was 
chosen  to  take  the  vacant  position. 

But  there  was  never  a  day  without  a  night.  The 
affairs  of  the  Home  in  1872  were  in  a  condition  any- 
thing l3ut  encouraging.  Said  the  secretary,  W.  S. 
Webb:  "At  Crystal  Springs  we  seemed  on  the  high  road 
to  prosperity- :  six  months  afterwards  most  of  our 
friends  seemed  to  have  forsaken  us."'  The  "Orphan 
Warlilers"  did  not  have  their  former  success.  A.  D. 
Ti-imble  had  been  in  the  field  with  about  thirty  orphans. 
By  means  of  the  contributions  gained  in  this  way  the 
Home  had  been  sustained  until  June,  1872.  yet  some 
doubted  if  the  agencv  should  be  continued.  Such  a 
roving  life  was  not  be.-;t  for  the  orphans,  who  were 
leading  it.     The  Home  was  in  debt  $3,700.00. 

In  their  distress,  the  Board  of  Trustees  turned  their 
eyes  to  the  Alasonic  Fraternitv  wistfully  for  rescue 
from  impending  dangers.   All  the  members  of  the  Board 


14-12  JIKSTORY     OP'     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

were  iiotiried  (except  J.  R.  Hamberlin)  before  their  an- 
nual meetin<j;  that  business  of  unusual  importance  was 
to  enuas^e  their  attention.  The  demeanor  ot  warm 
friends  of  the  institution  was  s^rave  and  nervous.  At 
the  annual  meeting"  of  the  Boiard  it  was  resolved  to 
transfer  the  Home,  with  its  property-,  franchises,  and 
sacred  trusts  to  the  Masonic  Fraternity,  provided  the 
convention  should  agree  to  the  transfer,  and  the  Grand 
Lodge  should  be  willing  to  acce])t  the  Home.  The 
property  of  the  Home  with  itsap])urtenaces  was  valued 
at  $15,000.00. 

The  "Orphans'  Home  Banner,"  under  the  editorial 
care  of  Aliss  AI.  J.  Welch,  was  accounted  a  valuable  aid 
to  the  Home.  The  Board  received  $747.05  from  this 
source.  One  of  the  causes  of  distress  was  the  lack  of  a 
real  superintendent.  T.  J.  Du])ree,  it  was  said,  was 
"nominally  superintendent."  Dr.  S.  P.  Kennedy-  was 
"acting  su]3erintendent."  This  state  of  affairs  was  un- 
fortunate at  that  crisis  of  the  Home.  J.  B.  Hamberlin 
placed  before  the  convention  a  resolution,  deploring  the 
lack  of  "  a  jjermanent  and  eihcient  superintendent,"  and 
asked  prayer  that  such  a  man  might  be  secured.  The 
Home  was  retained  bj-  the  convention. 

The  receipts  of  the  Home  in  lS7v3  amounted  to  $9,- 
001.88.  A.  D.Trimble  was  the  superintendent.  In  the 
fall  of  1873,  he  was  in  Texas  with  a  band  of  twelve 
children,  and  was  heartily  received.  On  the  13th  of 
December  Mrs.  S.  S.  Granberry  resigned  her  position  of 
assistant  superintendent  so  long  and  worthily  occupied 
by  her.  W.  A.  Alason  was  secretary  of  the  Board,  and 
8.  H.  Stackhouse  was  in  charge  of  the  "Banner." 

The  Home  was  reported  in  a  more  j^rosperous  con- 
dition in  1874.  The  existing  information  as  to  the 
year's  work  is  meager  com])are(l    with   former  years 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1-413 

But  we  are  informed  that  the  general  agent  was  aetive 
and  sueeessful.  Forty  or  fifty  of  the  orphans  had  pro- 
fessed Christianity  through  the  year,  and  a  ehnrch 
organized  for  their  l)enefit,  with  W.  H.  Tneker  as  pas- 
tor. The  inde])tedness  of  the  institution  ^vas  about 
$3,500.00. 

In  the  Minutes  of  the  State  Convention  of  1875,  is 
a  eard  from  the  Exeeutive  Committee  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  the  report  of  W.  H.  Hardy,  president  of  the 
Board,  and  K.  X.  Hall,  the  superintendent.  These  re- 
ports eontain  the  sad  information  of  the  suspension  of 
the  ( )rphans"  Home.  It  had  lived  a  troubled  existenee, 
and  the  end  of  its  life  had  come. 

The  Executive  Committee  asked  the  creditors  to  be 
piitient,  declaring  that  the  assets  wei'e  sufficient  to  meet 
all  liabilities.  They  said  that  the  Home  had  performed 
its  mission.  It  had  raised  and  educated  hundreds  of 
orphans  of  Confederate  soldiers.  The  superintendent 
was  to  remain  in  charge  of  the  ]jro]jcrty  until  the  meet- 
ing of  the  convention  in  July. 

W.  H.  Hardy  said  that  the  Home  could  have  kept 
up  a  while  longer  Ijy  incurring  other  debts,  but  it  was 
th-ought  un^vise  to  increase  the  debt  to  the  point  of  re- 
sponsil)ility  lieyond  the  value  of  their  assets.  He  saw- 
no  ho])e  of  reviving  the  institution,  and  seriously 
doubted  if  it  should  be  done.  He  recommended  to  the 
convention  that  the  Board  of  Trustees  be  invested  with 
plenary  power  to  dispose  of  the  ]iroi)erty,  and  settle 
the  debts  of  the  institution. 

The  report  of  the  superintendent,  K.  X.  Hall,  to  the 

Trustees  was  long,  tender,  and  pathetic.     He  expressed 

'  his  high  regard  for  R.  AI.  Leavell,  their  treasurer,  A.  H. 

Smith,    of  Meridian,    their  ])racticing  phA-sician,  S.  P. 

Kennedy,  chairman  of  the    Executive   Committee,    and 


1414  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

W.  H.  Hardy,  president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  He 
said  in  beautiful  and  befitting  language  that  his  "ad- 
miration was  excited  to  the  highest  degree  by  the  self- 
denial  and  sell-sacrifice  of  the  officers  of  the  Home  when 
it  ^vas  positiveh'  known  the  Home  must  fail." 

W.  J.  Watlington,  now  of  Vaughans,  was  at  the 
closing  of  the  Home,  April  15,  1875,  as  assistant.  In  a 
communication  received  by  the  writer  from  him  a  few' 
years  ago  he  says:  "I  well  recollect  the  deep  anxiety' 
felt  b\'  us  in  its  latter  days,  and  with  what  crushing- 
efiect  the  end  came.  The  railroads  and  telegraph  com- 
panies kindly  came  to  our  aid,  and  enabled  us  to  find 
homes  for  the  105  helpless  orphans,  from  Jackson, 
Tenn.,  to  Vicksburg,  and  from  Shubuta  to  Grenada. 
It  was  very  evident  that  the  Home  had  outlived  the 
purpose  for  which  it  was  organized.'" 

The  Orphans'  Home  performed  its  high  mission,  and 
gracefulh^  gave  place  to  the  projected  plans  of  the  con- 
vention for  thorough  State  evangelization.  In  its 
existence  patriotism  and  sweet  charity  kissed  each 
other.  The  benevolences  of  the  Home  had  been  numer- 
ous and  well  directed.  Hundreds  of  children  orphaned 
b}'  the  cruel  war,  had  been  tenderh'  cared  for,  edu- 
cated, and  placed  in  good  homes.  Ten  years  had 
elasped  since  the  final  hush  of  the  deadly  engine  of  war- 
fare, and  the  greater  number  of  the  children  of  the  lath- 
ers who  fell  in. that  bloody  conflict  had  attained  to  an 
age  of  self-preservation.  The  State  Mission  Board  was 
alread^^  ^vell  organized,  active  and  hopeful.  The  enter- 
prise needed  careful  fostering,  oversight,  and  large  sup- 
port, for  which  it  was  already  calling  with  great 
emphasis.  Empires  rise,  find  then  decline ;  institutions 
are  warmly  cherished,  and  then  fade  as  the  leaf;  but 
God  lives  on,  the  great  Designer  of  them  all,  and  com- 
placently conserves  his  matchless  purposes. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1415 


WOMAN'S  WORK  OF   THE   CONVENTION. 

In  Luke  8:2,  3,  our  Savior  speaks  of  a  number  of 
women  who  "ministered  unto  him  of  their  substance." 
"Go  tell  my  Ijrethren,"  was  spoken  by  our  Savior  to 
the  women  who  visited  the  empty  toml).  Paul,  the 
bachelor,  entreated  some  one,  whom  he  called  "Yoke- 
fellow^,"' to  "help  those  woirren  which  labored  with  me 
in  the  gospel."' 

There  has  not  been  a  period  in  the  history  of  the 
State  Convention  w^hen  women  did  not  share  in  the 
contributions  of  the  body.  They  have  assisted  in  the 
general  benevolence  of  our  people,  individualh^  and  in 
organized  capacity  from  the  constitution  of  the  conven- 
tion to  the  present.  As  early  as  1837,  a  ladies'  society 
was  in  existence  in  the  church  at  Brandon  and  the 
church  at  Palestine,  Hinds  county-.  T.  S.  X.  King  was 
a  delegate  from  the  Brandon  Female  Missionary  Society 
to  the  convention  in  1837,  and  for  the  two  succeeding 
years. 

In  1838,  a  Female  Missionary  Societ3'  was  organ- 
ized in  the  church  at  Columbus,  which  has  maintained 
a  continued  existence  to  the  present  time.  It  is  incor- 
porated in  the  report  of  the  treasurer  of  the  convention 
in  1838  that  T.  S.  N.  King  paid  for  Brandon  F>male 
Missionar}^  Society  for  Foreign  missions  $20.00.  In 
1842,  the  treasurer  reported  the  sum  of  $5.00  received 
from  the  Female  Benevolent  Society'  of  Jefferson  count}^ 
It  thus  appears  that  in  1842  there  was  an  organization 


14-1(1  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

of  \v()mcn  extending' over  an  entire  county,  wliich  had 
'for  its  (lesi_Lin  i>eneral  benevolence. 

In  1854-,  the  Missionary  Association  of  Mississippi 
Female  Collciie,  Hernando,  sent  Wni.  Carey  Crane  as 
delegate  to  the  State  Convention.  He  \vas  that  year 
president  of  the  convention.  In  1858,  the  yonnsj  ladies 
of  Amite  Female  Seminary  at  Liberty,  Amite  county, 
•contributed  $15.70  to  Foreis.in  missions.  There  was 
?ilso  a  fen^ale  missionary  soei^'ty  in  Central  Female  in- 
stitute at  Clinton  before  the  Civil  War. 

About  the  year  1870,  large  sentiment  became  ap- 
■[jarent  as  to  the  isolated  condition  of  Chinese  women. 
Because  of  the  customs  of  China,  our  male  missionaries 
could  not  speak  to  the  women  in  ])ublic  audience,  or  be 
received  into  their  ]3resence  in  their  homes.  This  gave 
rise  to  "woman's  mission  to  ^voman."'  Female  mis- 
sionaries were  commissioned  and  sailed  to  China  to 
talk  the  gospel  into  Chinese  homes,  l^ie  Miss  Whil- 
dens  proffered  to  go  to  China,  and  wereaccej^ted  In- the 
Foreign  Mission  Board.  Before  sailing"  for  China  one 
of  them  married  X.  B.  Williams  who  was  at  the  time 
accepted  by  the  Foreign  Board  as  a  missionary  in  China. 

These  two  young  women  were  in  Greenville,  S.  C, 
when  H.  F.  S|)roles  was  completing  his  studies  in  the 
Theological  Seminary.  He  began  in  1870  to  erccite^ 
interest  in  their  \vork  among  the  women  of  his  church 
at  Carrollton.  This  interest  spread  like  a  contagion  to 
contiguous  churches,  reaching  cis  far  South  as  Kos- 
ciusko, and  even  to  Raymond  in  Hinds  county.  A  union 
Avas  formed  of  the  Avomen  of  a  number  of  churches  to' 
support  a  ])i1)le  Avoman  in  China,  and  to  l)uil(l  a  chapel 
in  that  country.  Those  churches  were  Carrollton,  Duck^ 
Hill,  Goodman,  West,  Winona,  \'aiden,  Mt.  Xebo  (Car- 
roll__^county ),  Kosciuskc^,  and  Raymond. 


f"*-- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  14-17 

This  startliiiii' movement  had  its  opposition  to  meet. 
Paul  wrote  some  thiniJ^s  aliont  the  women,  which  were 
at  once  rememljered.  One  i^ood  woman  wrote,  in 
1N71  :  "I  pray  God  to  enhiihten  the  minds  of  our  be- 
nighted hus1)ands,  and  show  them  their  error."  Xo 
reformation  is  received  tamely  l)y  all  the  ])eo])le.  One 
who  knows  the  ri_uht  shoidd  not  be  (bsmayed  liy  wa^- 
gin*i"  tongues. 

Womans  work  moved  (|uietly  on.  The  women 
w'ere  not  vociferous,  but  continufdly  added  to  their 
ranks  nol^le  women  not  a  few.  Societies  \vere  formed, 
and  money  came  in  by  small  ([uantities,  but  with  a 
steady  flow.  In  1875,  their  work  and  not  their  tongues 
compelled  attention.  T.  J.Walne,  Corresponding  Secre- 
tary of  the  State  Mission  Board,  said  in  his  rejjort  to 
the  convention:  "They  are  most  ellicient  hel])ers  in 
our  work." 

In  1S76,  in  the  re]>ort  made  on  Foreign  missions  to 
the  convention  by  Dr.  X.  \V.  Wilson  of  Xew  Orleans,  we 
hnd  this  language;  "And,  whereas,  the  woman's  mis- 
sionary societies  have  been  so  signally  blessed  in  creat- 
ing an  interest  in  Foreign  missions,  and  in  raising 
money  for  F'oreign  missions,  we,  therefore,  recommend 
that  every  church  organize  such  a  society."  That  was 
much. 

In  1.S77,  on  motit)n  made  bv  K.  A.  Cohron,  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  by  the  convention  on  "  Woman's 
Work  for  Alissions"  consisting  of  R.  A.  Cohron,  J.  L. 
Pettigrew,  and  C.  M.  Gordon.  From  what  has  been 
written  for  woman's  eye,  it  is  gathered  that  some  of 
the  women  thought  the  report  of  the  committee  too 
guarded  and  conservative.  But  it  must  be  borne  in 
mind  that  the  connnittee  wished  their  report  accepted 
bv  the  convention,  that  no  harm  mi<_;ht  come  to  the  in- 


1418  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

fant  enterprise.  The  report  suggested  "  that  contribu- 
tions and  the  amount  of  work  performed  by  them  be  re- 
ported through  the  churches  as  a  part  of  church  work." 
This  was  wise  and  correct. 

In  1878,  there  were  many  ladies'  societies  in  the 
churches  in  the  State,  but  the  ^vomen  had  no  general 
organization.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Southern  Baptist 
Convention  in  Alay  in  Nashville,  Tenn.  |Dr.  H.  A.  Tup- 
per  then  secretary  of  the  Foreign  Board,  was  instructed 
to  appoint  a  central  committee  of  ladies  in  each  of  the 
Southern  States,  whose  special  work  was  to  be  to  en- 
list Baptist  \vomen  in  the  Foreign  \vork.  The  Central 
Committee  appointed  for  Mississippi  consisted  of  Mrs. 
W.S.  Webb,  Mrs.  J.  B.  Gambrell,  Mrs.  T.  J.  Walne,  Mrs. 
R.N.  Hall,  Mrs.'z.  T.  Leavell,  Mrs.  Mattie  Nelson, 
Mrs.  W.  H.  Carotliers,  Mrs.  A.J.  Ouinche  and  Mrs.  J. 
L.  Johnson.  The  committee  was  located  at  Oxford, 
and  Mrs.  J.  L.  Johnson  was  president,  and  Mrs.  A.J. 
Ouinche,  secretary-. 

The  report  to  the  convention  made  that  year  bA'the 
Committee  on  Woman's  Work,  was  open  and  lil)eral. 
It  endorsed  tlie  action  of  the  Southern  Convention  on 
Woman's  Work,  and  gave  the  following  as  a  fifth 
recommendation  :  "They  may  select  their  own  way  to 
report  to  the  1)oards  of  this  convention,  either  through 
the  Central  Committee,  or  through  their  churches,  or 
directly  to  the  l)oards."  The  writer  is  here  reminded 
of  what  Dr.  W.  S.  Webb  once  said  tu  him.  The  vener- 
able man  said  that  he  had  long  before  learned  how  to 
manage  his  wife,  he  just  let  her  do  as  she  pleased. 

The  first  meeting  held  by  our  Baptist  women  on 
Woman's  Work  was  at  Grenada  during  the  sitting  of 
the  State  Convention,  in  November,  1879.  Dr.  H.  A. 
Tupper  was   at   that   meeting   of  the   conventi(^n.     In 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  14.19 

Speaking  patheticall_v  on  Woman's  Work,  he  said,  that 
our  Savior's  only  earthly  parent  was  a  woman,  and 
that  he  had  always  honored  andexhalted  woman  in  her 
sphere  and  in  his  work.  Since  that  date  such  meetings 
have  l3een  held  annually  during  the  sittings  of  the  State 
Convention. 

In  1881,  new  and  large  interest  was  created  in 
Woman's  Work.  Mrs.  Janie  Lowrey  Santbrd  decided 
to  give  her  life  to  the  Lord  in  mission  work.  She  went 
to  labor  among  the  Chinese  in  San  Francisco.  Airs.  M. 
J.  Nelson  was  commissioned  by  the  State  Board  to 
work  in  New  Orleans.  Miss  Emma  Gardner,  now  Mrs. 
J.  A.  Hackett,  and  Miss  Cora  Montgomery  were  co- 
laborers  with  Mrs.  Nelson. 

In  18S3,  Mrs.  W.  T.  Ratlitf  was  enthusiastic  over 
her  noble  idea  of  building  Nelson  cottage  on  the  campus 
of  Mississippi  College  for  young  ministers  seeking  an 
education.  It  is  generally  known  that  she  succeeded. 
That  followed  as  a  matter  of  course.  The  cottage  and 
its  appointments  were  to  cost  $1,000.00.  The  follow- 
ing year  the  ladies'  societies  were  declared  to  he  lil^eral 
supporters  of  Mississippi  College. 

The  year  1885  was  a  year  of  re-adjustment  of  Wo- 
man's Work.  The  conduct  of  the  work  was  placed  by  the 
Southern  Convention  in  the  hands  of  the  State  Boards. 
That  3'ear  the  Convention  Board  was  organized  to 
supervise  all  the  work  of  our  State  Convention,  and  the 
Central  Committee  of  Woman's  Work  was  appointed 
by  that  Board.  The  plan  of  appointing  associational 
vice-presidents  was  adopted.  That  3'ear  Mrs.  Justa 
Greer,  became  the  wife  of  \V.  J.  David,  and  went  with 
him  to  Al'rica,  and  Miss  Emma  Fox  married  Puthoff, 
missionary  to  Brazil. 

At  the   meeting   of  the  convention  in  Meridicin  in 


14-20  IIISTOKV     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS, 

188(),  Airs.  J.  L.  jolinscMi,  and  Mrs.  A.J.  Ouinchc  re- 
si.uncd  their  ])()sitions  on  the  Central  Committee,  feel- 
ini»-  that  as  the  Convention  Board  had  l)een  removed 
from  Oxford  and  h)eated  in  Jaekson,  the  Central  Com- 
mittee should  be  (h)mieiled  there  also.  The  newlv 
elected  officers  were:  Aliss  Marion  Bnekley  (now  Mrs. 
Lon,uino),]jresident.  and  Mrs.  Minnie  C.  Danieron,  seere- 
tfiry.  There  were  then  lOS  societies  in  the  churehes  of 
the  State. 

At  the  convention  held  in  Oxford  in  Jnlv,  1.S87, 
jMrs.  Lon^ino  tendered  her  resi<.;nation  as  president  of 
the  Central  Committee,  and  Mrs.  Adelia  M.  Hillnicin 
was  a])])ointed  as  her  successor.  Airs.  Dameron  was 
retained  as  secrettiry.  There  were  then  112  organized 
active  societies  in  the  churches.  The  importance  of 
or<4-ani/.inii-  Sunl)eam  Societies  in  the  churehes  was 
reconunended,  and  someone  tqjjjointed  to  look  after 
that  enterjDrise.  Four  ladies"  societies  had  delcLiates  in 
the  convention.  Mrs.  R.  M.  Leavell,  Mrs.  J.G.  Dupi:ee. 
and  Mrs.  H.  F.  Sproles  were  in  turn  secretaries  while 
Mrs.  Hillman  was  president.  '  Mrs.  A.  J.  Aven  ])resided 
from  Aj^ril,  1894,  to  January,  1N97.  Mrs.  Sproles  con- 
tinued as  secretary.  In  January.  1S97,  Mrs.  J.  K.  T'ace 
becfime  president,  and  Mrs.  Aven  was  secretary.  In 
January,  1.S99,  the  Central  Committee  was  located  in 
Aleridian  :  Mrs.  J.  \V.  Bozeman  became  ])resident.  and 
Airs.  Wm.  K.  Woods,  .secretary.  In  July,  1901,  Airs.  J. 
A.  Hackett  became  ])resiflent,  and  is  to  date  hllin,^-  that 
position,  and  Mrs.  Woods  is  still  secretary.  The  band 
work  has  been  under  Aliss  Lackey,  Aliss  An^ie  Llovd. 
and  Airs.  Henry  Broach. 

TIk;  rapid  s^-rowth  of  the  work  done  by  our  women 
may  be  seen  in  the  increasing-  list  of  societies  and  in  the 
enlaruement    of  their  contril)utions.      In    1S79,    there 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1421 

■«'ere  only  tifteeii  societies  in  our  churches  in  tlie  State, 
in  1887,  there  were  112  such  organizations,  and  in 
1901  about  200.  In  1879  the  societies  contributed  to 
various  purposes  $116.90;  in  1886,  $1,252.78;  in 
1888,  $6,006.38;  and  in  1900,  $11,744.03. 

The  Convention  Board  has  been  exceedingly  wise  in 
the  appointment  of  the  officers  of  the  Central  Commit- 
tee. They  have  uniformly  been  discreet,  energetic 
aud  efficient  in  the  work  entrusted  to  them. 


1422  HLSTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTvS. 


MlSSISSli'I'I    BAPTIST    HISTORICAL    SOCIETY. 

On  the  evening"  preeedinii:  the  nieetinu"  of  the  State 
Convention  in  Jackson  in  ISSS  a  meeting"  was  called 
for  the  purpose  of  organizing"  a  Baptist  State  Histori- 
cal Society.  It  was  to  he  a  free  and  easy  going"  society, 
but  with  a  grand  purpose  in  view.  Its  nieml^ers  were 
to  be  elected  by  no  convention  or  association,  and  they 
were  to  re])ort  to  nobod^'.  The  organization  was  not 
in  anywise  connected  with  the  State  Convention, 
though  it  has  always  had  its  meeting  on  the  evening 
preceding"  the  meeting  of  the  convention.  Its  purpose, 
as  it  will  cippear  a  little  later,  was  to  preserve  the  his- 
tory of  Alississippi  Baptists,  which  was  about  to  lie 
lost.  There  was  not  then,  nor  is  there  at  this  writing, 
any  written  history  of  the  doings  of  our  people. 

The  meeting  for  org"anization  was  on  Wednesday 
evening,  July  18,  1888.  Dr.  J.  A.  Hackett  was  called  to 
the  chair,  and  Dr.  C.  E.  \V.  DoIdIjs  was  appointed  re- 
cording secretary.  With  his  name,  just  t\vent\'  names 
were  enrolled  in  the  organization  of  the  body. 

L.  S.  Foster  read  the  propo.sed  constitution  for  the 
society  which  was  adopted.  The  first  article  of  this  in- 
trument  of  writing  simply  referred  to  the  name  of  the 
infant  organization.  The  second  was  highly  important. 
It  was  as  follows :  "The  object  of  this  Society,  shall 
lie  to  collect  and  preserve  a  library,  or  depository  of 
books,  pamphlets,  periodicals,  manuscripts,  ])ortraits, 
photographs,    views,    autographs,   and   other  matter 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1423 

pertaining"  to  the  history  of  Christianity  in  general,  and 
of  the  Baptists  of  this  State  in  particular.'"  The  second 
article  was  :  "  This  Society  shall  consist  of  the  corpor- 
ator's named  in  its  charter,  and  such  other  members  as 
may  wish  to  unite  at  any  meeting" :  the  terins  of  mem- 
bership being  $1.00  for  annual  members',  $10.00  ior 
life  members.  The  Society  may  elect  honorary-  mem- 
bers on  account  of  their  reputiition,  or  their  knowledge 
of,  or  special  interest  in  historical  subjects."" 

The  fourth  article  of  the  constitution  referred  to  the 
officers  of  the  body,  and  the  fifth  to  its  management; 
the  sixth  as  to  the  depository  of  historical  documents 
collected,  and  the  seventh  to  the  annufd  meeting  of  the 
Society-,  the  eighth  as  to  special  meetings  of  the  bod\-, 
and  the  ninth  to  amendments  to  the  constitution. 

In  the  permanent  organization  John  T.  Buck  was 
elected  president,  and  L.  S.  Foster,  corresponding 
secretary- :  C.  E.  \V.  Dobbs,  recording  secretary-,  and  R. 
M.  Leavell,  librarian  and  treasurer.  An  interesting- 
paper  was  read  by  C.  E.  \V.  Dobbs  on,  "  The  Beg-inning 
of  English  Speaking"  Bciptist  Churches,''  and  smother 
by  J.  \V.  Bozeman  on,  "The  Mississippi  Baptist  State 
Convention  of  1866." 

At  a  called  meeting  on  the  following  Friday,  10  p. 
m.,  a  Board  of  Managers  was  appointed  consisting"  of 
W.  S.  Webb.  Mrs.  Adelia  M.  Hillman,  B.  D.  Gray,  ().  D. 
Bowen,  and  David  Shelton.  Fourteen  more  members 
Avere  enrolled.  J.  \V.  Bozeman  presented  a  paper  writ- 
ten by  Benjamin  Thigpen  concerning"  a  meeting  held  at 
Palestine  church  in  1835  for  the  settlement  of  some 
difficulties  in  district  associations.  The  papers  that 
had  been  presented  by  J.  \V.  Bozeman  and  C.  E.  W. 
Dobbs  were  requested  for  filing  and  reference.  A.  J. 
Miller  was  appointed  to  deliver  an  address  at  the  next 


14-24-  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

annual  nieetini.;-.  A  number  of  other  papers  were  re- 
quested on  historieal  sul)jeets.  The  corresjiondinii" 
secretary  was  requested  to  ask  Ijrethren  to  write  their 
recollections  of  associations  and  churches,  and  J.  T. 
Buck  retiucsted  to  file  his  history  of  the  convention 
with  the  Librarian,  and  L.  S.  Foster,  his  histories  of 
Columbus  and  Louisville  Associations. 

The  Societv  held  its  second  meetins^'  in  West  r\)int 
in  18S9.  A.  J.  Aliller  read  a  paper  on,  "  The  Conven- 
tion of  1S76.  Chang-e  of  men  and  measures,'"  and  J. 
W.  Bozeman  read  a  "Historical  Sketch  of  Central 
Female  Colletji^e."'  The  corresponding  secretary  re- 
ported that  he  had  performed  the  duties  assigned  him 
by  the  Society  the  year  before.  Some  papers  had  been 
gathered  which  were  of  much  value,  but  Baptists,  he 
said,  were  a  "jiecuhar  people,"  and  largely  indifferent 
to  the  grand  history  made  by  our  jjeople.  He  had  but 
taken  his  first  lesson.  The  treasurer  reijorted  the  sum 
of  $4.4-.00  collected,  and  $31 .80  still  on  hand.  The  offi- 
cers of  the  preceding  year  were  re-elected,  except  that 
A.  J.  Aven  wjis  chosen  librarian  and  treasurer.  W.  H. 
Whitsitt  was  asked  to  place  a  ]3a])er  before  the  Society 
at  its  next  meeting. 

The  vSociety  met  in  Columbus  July  23, 1890,  at  8:15 
p.  m.  Dr.  W.  H.  Whitsitt  was  jn'esent  and  delivered 
an  address  on,  "What  can  I  do  to  jjromote  the  interest 
of  the  Historical  Society."  His  address  was  highly 
satisfactory,  and  well  received.  Dr.  Whitsitt  was 
elected  an  honorary  member  of  the  Society.  There  was 
a  balance  in  the  treasury  of  $32.00.  R.  M.  Leavell  was 
elected  treasurer  and  Airs.  Adelia  Hillman,  librarian  ; 
the  officers  of  the  preceding  year  filling  the  positions  of 
president,  recording  secretary,  and  corresponding"  Secre- 
tary, were  re-elected.  B.  D.Gray  was  chosen  to  deliver 
the  next  annual  address. 


HISTORY     OF     MIJ-SISSIPJ^I     BAPTISTS.  l4-2.> 

The  next  nicetiii.:^  of  the  Societ_v  was  in  Xatehez, 
Julv  22,  1891.  B.  D.  Gray  delivered  an  enjoyal)le  ad- 
dress on.  "Making  History'.'"  L.  S.  Foster  and  J.  '1\ 
Christian  made  talks  on  their  suceess  at  tratherinLi  his- 
torical documents,  and  Mrs.  Adelia  Hillman  reporte<I 
what  documents  she  had  received.  That  year  V.  11. 
Cowsert  was  chosen  recording"  secret^iry,  which  was 
the  only  change  of  officers. 

The  annual  meeting  of  1S92  was  held  in  Meridian. 
There  was  very  little  interest  in  the  meeting.  The  jjresi- 
dent  and  recording  secretary  were  al)sent.  J.  W.  Boze- 
nian  was  made  chairman,  and  B.  K.  Womack,  record- 
ing secretary,  pro  tern.  A.  \'.  Rowe  delivered  the  an- 
nual address  on,  "The  Pioneer  Preachers  of  Mississippi,  " 
which  was  said  to  be  "  able,  instructive,  interesting."' 
Of  course,  it  was.  No  change  was  made  in  the  officers 
of  the  body. 

In  1893,  the  Society  .met  in  Summit.  Tlieir  annual 
address  was  made  by  W.  J.  David  on,  "  Baptist  Heroes 
in  Southeast  Mississippi."  His  ])aper  was  excellent, 
and  should  have  l)ecn  jjreserved.  The  corresponding 
secretary  impres.^ed  two  (2)  facts,  the  ])resent  import- 
ance of  sketches  of  Baptist  Ministers  of  Mrssissii)|)i,  and 
the  propriety  of  amending  the  Constitution  so  as  to 
make  the,  annual  fee  for  mendxn'ship  oO  cents,  and  tor 
life  ineinbership  $5.()().  fhese  measures  were  adopted. 
There  was  a  balance  in  the  treasury  amounting  to 
$39.80.  C.  H.  Otken  \\as  chosen  to  deliver  the  next 
annual  address.  The  following  \ear  the  library  was 
moved  to  Jackson  from  Clinton,  and  ]jut  in  the  mission 
rooms  of  the  First  Baptist  church.  M.  T.  Martin  was 
chosen  to  deliver  the  "Historical  .\ddress""  in  189"). 

After  1894,  the  Minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
S<>ciety  were   not    jjrintcil    in    the  Minutes  of  the  State 


14-26  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     UAPTISTS. 

Convention.  This  was  a  great  mistake.  The  Minutes 
of  the  convention  have  all  been  faithfully  preserved  and 
will  be  to  the  end  of  time,  if  favored  by  a  shielding 
providence.  W.  E.  Ellis  of  Senatobia,  the  jjresent  re- 
cording- secretary,  and  the  one  who  has  in  sacred  keep- 
ing the  Minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Society  says: 
*'  1  have  the  Minutes  since  1S97  only."'  But  we  see  that 
M.  T.  Martin  was  chosen  to  deliver  the  address  of  1895. 
Below  is  given  a  tabulated  statement  of  the  presi- 
dents, clerks,  and  speakers  from  1897  to  1900,  a.s 
furnished  the  writer  Ijy  W.  E.  I^llis : 

l^KKSIDKNTS.  Cl.KRKS.  Si'KAKHKS.  D.\TK.S. 


I    H.  Andinjr,  )  L  lohnson,  Z  T  LciivfU,  1S97 

J.  H.  Whitfield.  K.  (;.  Lowrcv,  N.  \V.  V.  Bacon.  1898 

j.  H.  Whitfield.  H.  0.  Lowrey,  I..  S.  Foster.  1899 

vS.  (V.  Coo]>i-r.  R.  Cy.  Lowrev,  S.  ('..  C()o|)cr,  1900 

Tile  interest  of  Mississippi  Baptists  in  the  Society 
has  not  at  any  time  been  proportionate  to  the  value  of 
the  institution.  A  year  or  two  since  an  effort  was  made 
to  aljridge  its  operations  on  the  place  that  the  time  con- 
sumed in  its  meetings  on  tlic  evening  l)efore  the  day  of 
the  opening  of  the  convention  could  be  better  used  some 
other  way.  The  Historical  Societ\^  has  done  much  good. 
It  has  gathered  and  preserved  many  valtial)le  historical 
records,  without  which  it  would  have  been  impossible 
for  a  history  of  Mississippi  Baptists  to  be  written.  Our 
])eople  are  greatly  indebted  to  L.  S.  Foster,  J.  T.  Buck, 
].  T.  Christian,  and  Mrs.  Adelia  M.  Hillman  for  their 
untiring  efforts  at  gjithering  the  written  records,  bear- 
ing on  tlie  history  of  Mississippi  Baptists. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1 4'27 


THE   MISSISSIPPI   BAPTIST  ORPHANAGE. 
BY  L.  s.  fostp:k. 

This  institution  is  vet  in  its  childhood,  being-  only 
six  years  of  age,  and  its  history  lies  yet  in  the  unknown 
future.  It  is  difficult  to  write  of  it  and  keep  my  own 
personality  duly  and  modestly  out  of  public  view,  yet 
tlie  effort  will  be  made  to  do  this. 

After  the  demise  of  the  Orphan's  Home,  at  Lauder- 
dale Sjjrings,  in  1875,  our  people  did  nothing  in  the 
way  of  caring  for  orphan  children  for  more  than  two 
decades,  except  to  vmite  in  union  Thanksgiving  services 
once  a  year,  and  make  a  small  contribution  for  the 
benefit  of  the  Protestant  Orphan  Asylum,  in  Natchez. 
And  this  custom  was  not  ])y  any  means  general,  for  the 
great  majority  of  our  churches  knew  little  of  this  asy- 
lum, and  cared  less  for  its  work. 

Some  time  in  the  early  nineties  J.  M.  Sammons,  of 
Poplarville,  published  a  brief  article  in  the  Baptist  Rec- 
ord, calliiig  attention  to  the  importance  and  necessity 
of  the  denomination  doing  something  in  this  line.  But 
the  time  for  such  a  work  in  God's  jjrovidence  was  not 
t(uite  ripe,  and  thi-rc  was  apparently  no  notice  taken 
of  the  suggestion.  About  this  time,  or  a  little  later, 
the  Avriter,  by  a  personal  experience,  had  burned  into 
his  soul  the  importance  of  our  churches  doing  some- 
thing in  this  field  of  benevolence.  At  the  same  time  he 
had  l)een   reading  Aluller's  Life  of  Trust,  giving  an  ac- 


14-'2X  HISTORY     OF     M'<siscn>l>l     liAl'TlSTS. 

C(3Uiit  of  God's  wondertrl  dcaliiiLi-s  witli  this  man  of 
God  in  carini;-  for  orphan  children  in  Bristol,  I^n^iand. 
Still  for  several  years  no  aeti\-e  step  was  taken  in  the 
matter,  whil  ■  the  conviction  ^re\\'  dee])er  that  Baptist 
churches  should  do  sonicthinu'  in  carin,<j'  for  orj)han 
children.  In  the  meantitViC  he  had  become  pastor  at 
Scnatohia,  and  associate  editor  of  the  Baptist  Record. 

The  conviction  that  ^omethin.ti'  should  be  done  at 
leno'th  grew  so  strong  that,  in  an  editorial  in  the  AVc- 
(jrd,  it  was  earnestly  ]3i'essed  upon  the  attention  of  the 
denomination.  The  good  work  of  the  Protestant  Asy- 
Juni,  in  Natchez,  was  referred  to,  but  it  was  urged  that 
it  was  insufficient  to  meet  the  demands  upon  it  from 
the  r^mks  of  all  the  denominations  in  the  State.  In 
conclusion,  it  was  said  :  '■  If  this  thought  is  of  God,  He 
will  put  it  into  the  heart  of  some  one  to  send  us  a  con- 
tributicjn  for  this  purpose.' 

On  December  12,  189'),  a  iew  davs  after  the  above 
editorial  was  published,  the  following  letter  was  re- 
ceived : 

"  Dk.\r  Bko.  Fosthk — I  o|jen  my  Record  to  learn  of 
our  own  Baptist  affairs.  The  very  thing  greets  my  eye 
that  I  have  so  longed  to  see.  Our  g>M)d  editor — per- 
haps yourseli — suggests  a  '  Baptist  Orphanage."  Why 
not?  Surely  we  care  no  le.^s  for  our  little  ones  than 
other  States.  We  are  able  if  we  only  think  so.  With 
my  praA'ers  I  enclose  this  dollar  for  that  institution. 
11  it  finds  company  enough  to  effect  a  movement  you 
will  hear  from  me  again.  "Tis  a  small  sum,  but  all  I 
have  at  my  command.     God  bless  the  children. 

Yours  for  Christ, 

.Mrs.  L.  H.  .Moorh."' 

From  this  con.secrated  woman,  the  daughter  ot  a 
Baptist   preacher,  came    the    first    dollar   for  a  Baptist 

(jrphanage.     In  a  few  days   came   another  dollar,  then 


HISTORY     OF     MLs.SJ.->SII'ri     BAPTISTS.  1429 

«oame  lives  aiul  tens,  until  a  nice  little  sunt  was  in  bank 
for  the  estal3lishnient  ofan  ori)hana<ie.  Georue  Mailer's 
lirst  recei]Jt  lor  his  ureat  orphan  houses  was  one  shil- 
■7//io"  (t went v-iive  cents),  while  our  tirst  was  lour  times 
that  amount. 

Several  Icadin.L;'  jjastors  wrote  to  the  Record,  a])- 
provin,<4-  the  plan  of  an  Orphanatic,  while  there  were 
some  notes  of  stroni^'  disapproval.  In  the  S£ime  strain 
were  ])rivate  letters  which  were  received — some  favored, 
some  disa]jprove(l. 

In    March.    1S94,  a  cii'cular    was   jjrinted    in   larue 
numbers  and  sent  to  Baptist  friends  all  over  the  State. 
This  circular  called  attention  to  "  A  Great  Xeed,"  ,uivin,u" 
i\  num1)jr  ol  facts  in  relerence  to  ()r])hanaii"e  work,  and 
the  blessini^s  ol   (iod  which    have    rested    alwavs  upon 
such  work.     It  concluded  with  these  words:  "Pastors 
and  friends  receivin_<i"  copies  ot    this  circular  will  kindly 
circulate  them  iVeely  amon^'  their  reli,i>ious  and  benevo- 
lent friends.     Corres]Jondence   and    su,iig"C'stions    are  in- 
A'ited,  ol    ap])ro\-al   or   disci])proval,  of  criticism,  as  to 
location,  suitable  ])erson  for  superintendent,  ov  of  anv 
other  character.''     The   f)llowini;-   ])lan    was   outlined: 
(1)  To  be  the  work  of  Mississippi  P>aptists.    (2)   In  or- 
der to   avoid    hamperiui^"    the   convention    to    have    no 
organic  connection  with  t.hat  l)ody,  but  to  re])ort  to  it 
and   look  to  its   constituenc\'    and    the   entire   Ba]itist 
tamil\-  for    s\ni])athv  and    u'ood  will.     (.'>)  To  circulate 
full    inlorniation   as    to  the  work,  and    look    to  God   in 
belie\-in,i;'  prayer  tor  supjiort   ihrou.Li'h  the  instrumental- 
ity ot    liis  stew.'inls.     (T)    To    be    incorporated  by  law, 
and    look  to  the  burd    ioi-    about   fort\-  or  liltx'  acres  of 
^-round  on  which   to   l)ui!d    housrs.  and    train    the    cliib 
dren   to  work,   as  welJ    as    educate    them    mentally' aiut 
morally.      To  teach  them  als>i  the  princi])al  mechaniccd, 


1430  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

and  the  domestic,  arts,  and  make  of  them  good  citizens. 
(5)  To  be  open  to  orphans  of  worthy  and  honorable 
white  parentage,  the  greatest  need  1)eing  the  strongest 
appeal  for  admission.'" 

There  was  a  steady  growth  of  sentiment  in  favor 
of  the  Orphanage,  and  an  increase  in  the  contributions 
received.  Soon  there  were  $300.00  in  bank  for  this 
purpose.  Looking  back,  that  seems  now  quite  a  small 
sum,  but  at  the  time  it  a])peared  ([uitea  nice  beginning. 
The  next  thing  to  give  the  movement  shape  and  sulv 
stance  was  a  charter  of  incorporation,  for  at  this  time, 
(June,  1S94-,)  there  was  liut  one  man  as  custodian  of 
its  effects.  The  consent  of  a  number  of  friends  to  serve 
as  trustees  was  secured,  who  associated  themselves 
with  the  writer,  and  apj)lied  to  the  State  authorities 
for  a  charter. 

On  July  IS,  1S94-,  the  cJKirter  was  ap])roved  by 
Gov.  J.  M.  Stone,  incorporating  the  "Trustees  of  the 
Mississippi  Ba]:)tist  Orplianage,"  as  a  l)ody  politic,  em- 
powered to  hold  property,  and  found  and  inaintain  in 
the  State  an  Orphanage  for  white  children.  Tnis  char- 
ter made  the  Board  selt-ijcrpetuating,  as  the  State  Con- 
vention was  not  yet  jjrepared  to  Ijccome  sponsor  for 
the  infant.  But,  ot  course,  the  charter,  in  the  course  ot 
time  will  be  changed  in  this  ])articular.  Having  n;)w  a 
charter,  and  being  recognized  in  law  as  an  entitv,  the 
next  thing  to  do  was  to  elect  a  superintendent.  O  ic  of 
the  trustees  acted  as  secretary,  and  corresponde  I  with 
the  entire  Board,  requesting  their  votes  for  a  su[)erin- 
tendent.  L.  S.  Foster,  then  jjastor  at  Senatobia,  was 
unanimou.sly  chosen  as  superintendent,  and  recpiested 
to  pros]Dect,  and  invite  bids  from  different  ]ioints  for  a 
location. 

There  was  reallv  onlv  one  <renuine   Ind    for  the  Or- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  14-31 

phanage,  and  that  was  from  Poplarville,  on  the  N.  O.. 
and  N.  E.  Raih'oad.  That  hid  failed  to  meet  the  re- 
quirements of  the  trustees.  The  Superintendent  visited 
Poplarville  and  several  other  plaees  in  the  State  durint^ 
the  3-ear  1895,  with  a  view  to  a  location.  Finally,  in 
December,  1S95,  he  was  in  Jackson  on  the  day  it  was 
decided  to  place  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  twelve 
acres  of  land  upon  the  market  for  two  thousand  dollars. 
This  was  the  stock  farm  of  ex-State  Treasurer  W.  L. 
Hemingway,  which  had  been  deeded  to  a  trustee  for 
the  benefit  of  the  treasurer's  bondsmen.  It  had  up  to 
this  time  been  held  for  four  thousand  dollars,  but  on 
this  day  ^vas  offered  at  one-half  of  that  sum  in  order  to 
close  up  the  matter.  One  thousand  dollars  was  to  be 
paid  in  cash  and  one  thousand  dollars  in  twelvemonths, 
with  eight  ])cr  cent,  interest.  The  transfer  to  the  trus- 
tee for  the  benefit  of  the  Hemingway  bondsmen  had 
been  pas.sed  upon  l)y  the  Supreme  Court,  and  declared 
valid. 

The  Sui^crintcndent  paid  twenty-five  dollars  for  a 
ten  days'  o])tion,  and  returned  home.  .\11  the  trustees 
were  corresponded  with,  and  unjinimously  approved 
the  purchase  of  this  property,  which  was  loeautitullv 
situated  in  the  northwestern  suburbs  of  the  State  Capi- 
tal, outside  of  the  city  limits.  The  first  ])ayment  was 
made  in  January,  1S96,  by  the  Superintendent  ad- 
vancing five  hundred  dollars  of  the  amount. 

Dvtring  1896,  there  was  an  increase  in  the  contriJDu- 
tions,  but  there  \vas  also  a  feeling,  that  actual  work 
ovight  to  begin  in  caring  for  orphans.  The  matter  had 
been  before  the  churches  for  several  3'ears,  many  of  them 
had  contributed,  but  no  actual  work  in  caring  for 
orphans  had  been  done.  The  trustees  were  communi- 
cated with  on  this  point  earlv  in  1897.     There  \\'ere  no 


1  iH2  illSTOKV     OF     MlSSISSli'I'I     liAI'TISTS. 

iT)i])r()venients  on  their  ])ro])cn_\',  but  it  was  dccidetf 
that  it  would  he  very  helpful  to  the  enter])rise  to  o])eu 
theOrphana.Lie  at  ouee  in  a  rented  house  in Jaekson  and 
l)euin  to  earv.'  lor  homeless  ehildren. 

A  suitable  house  was  rented,  and  an  exeellerit 
matron  seeured,  and  on  May  12.  1S97,  the  OrphanaiiC 
Avas  ojiene:!  in  this  rented  house  in  West  Jackson,  with 
A/Irs.  Alollie  D.  Hunter  as  nicatron,  and  her  two  father- 
less boys  as  inmates  of  the  ()rphana.«4e.  In  a  few  days 
ap])lieation  was  made  i'or  the  admission  oi"  three  ehil- 
dren, who  had  lost  both  ])arents  within  a  few  (hays. 
One  of  these  was  a  bright  _L;"irl  of  ei,uht  years,  one  a  bcn^ 
of  six  3'ears,  and  a  babA'  girl  of  twenty  months.  There 
AVcis  thus  a  steady  need  of  supjjlies  and  food  for  the 
inmates  of  the  Orphanage,  and  no  source  of  income  ex- 
cept the  voluntary  contributions  of  tlic  Lord's  ])eopiC 
find  those  l)enevolently  inclined.  But  this  was  accord- 
ing to  the  wish  of  the  Su]3erintendent,  his  ]jolicy  being 
to  furnish  full  information  of  the  work,  and  then  rely 
im])licitly  and  directly  u|Jon  tiie  ]3romises  of  Ood  with 
reference  to  orphan  children.  "  lie  that  hath  ])ity  upon 
the  poor  Icndeth  unto  the  Lord;  and  that  wdiich  he 
giveth  will  He  pay  him  again." — Prow  19:17.  "  I'urc 
religion  and  undehled  before  God  and  the  Father  is  this; 
To  visit  the  fatherless  and  widows  in  their  affliction, 
and  to  kec])  himself  uns|jotted  from  the  world." — • 
Jas.  1:27.  "  Hlessed  is  he  that  considereth  the  ])oor; 
the  Lord  will  delixer  him  in  time  ot  trouble."" — I'sa.  -ILL 

'fhcre  folldwed  imnicrous  ;ipp]icalions  lor  talhcrless 
and  or])liari  chihb'cn,  wdio  came  until  the  rented  liouse 
A\-as  filled  to  ils  utmost  ca])aciLy.  and  there  were  still 
(juite  a  nund)er  wdio  could  not  be  received  for  lack  o! 
room.  Xo  direct  a])])eal  was  e\cr  made  foi'  funds  to 
feed  nml  clothe  these  ehildren,  xet  in  response  to  be- 
lieving pr.'iyer,  their  wants  \\ere  always  met. 


HISTORY     'JV     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1433 

As  a  means  of  circulatiiiii"  intormcLtioti  relative  to 
the  Orphanage,  the  publieation  of  theOKPHAXACi-:  (iEM, 
a  small  monthly  paper,  was  be,u"u:i  in  Jane,  1SJ7,  with 
^i  subseription  list  of  seven  lunidred.  This  paper  litis 
been  issued  regularly  every  month  since  that  time,  ex- 
cept in  October,  189.S,  when  the  Superintendent  was 
jjrostrated  with  yellow  fever.  In  addition  to  tlie  Gem 
an  annual  catalogue  has  been  pul)lished  in  June  of  eacli 
year,  giving  a  roster  of  the  children,  and  full  informa- 
tion of  the  work  during  the  year.  These  catalogues 
have  gone  into  all  parts  of  the  State,  and  the  list  of  the 
Gp:m  has  grown  frcjni  seven  hundred  to  J'oiir  thousand 
five  hundred.  For  the  jjast  two  years  cdl  the  work  of 
composition,  or  type-setting,  has  been  done  oii  the 
Catalogue  and  Gem  by  the  children  of  the  Orphanage. 
In  culdition,  they  ha\"e  done  iin  immense  amount  of  job 
work  in  the  i^rinting  office,  which  has  been  a  source  of 
revenue  to  the  Ori^hanage,  for  the  Orphanage  owns  a 
\vell-e(|ui])i)ed  printing  ofFiee  of  its  own. 

In  July,  1S97,  the  Baptist  State  Convention  met  in 
Gi'enada.  A  committee  was  appointed  on  the  Or[)han- 
age.  wliich  made  a  favorable  report.  The  body  was 
not  yet  ready,  liowe\-er,  to  become  sponsor  for  the 
infant  institution. 

In  the  fall  ol"  IM)?.  Jackson  was  threatened  with, 
an  e]jidemic  ol  yellow  fe\er.  The  cit\-  was  almost  en- 
tirely dcjjopulatcd.  and  was  rigidlv  (puirantined 
against  the  outside  world.  Tiic  fever  i-agcd  at  Edwards 
and  at  other  jjoiuts  ncarl)y,  and  xwas  dailv  expected  to 
break  out  in  Jackson.,  As  a  matter  of  ]jrecaution  the 
children  weic  moxcd  to  a  house  in  the  northern  part  of 
Jackson,  wliere  they  would  l)e  comparati\"clv  isolateci 
iltlie  fever  entci'cd  Jacl<S()n.  Huwexcr,  it  (bd  not  entef 
the  cit\-  tli.'it  year,l)nl  was  kept  out  f)v  the  quarantine 


1A',V2  illSTURV     OF     MISSISSIi'I'I     HAI'TISTS. 

iniprovenicnts  on  thcii'  propcrtv,  but  it  was  decidetf 
that  it  would  be  verv  licl])lul  to  tlie  enterprise  to  open 
tlie  nrj)]iana,i:e  at  onee  in  a  rented  house  in  Jaekson  and 
be.uin  to  eare  tor  homeless  ehildren. 

A  suitable  house  was  rented,  and  an  exeellerit 
matron  seenred,  and  on  May  12,  1S97,  the  ()rphana,ue 
was  opened  in  this  rented  house  in  West  jaekson,  wiih 
\Irs.  Mollie  D.  Hunter  as  matron,  and  her  two  father- 
less boys  as  inmates  of  the  ( )rphana_!4e.  In  a  few  days 
a})plieation  was  made  for  the  admission  of  thi'ee  ehil- 
dren, wdio  had  lost  both  parents  within  a  few  days. 
( )ne  of  these  was  a  l)rii;"ht  i:"irl  of  eii^ht  years,  one  a  lioy 
of  six  years,  and  a  baby  girl  of  twenty-  months.  There 
Avas  thus  a  steady  need  of  supplies  and  food  for  the 
ininates  of  the  ()r[)lianage,  auvd  no  souree  of  ineome  ex- 
ce]3t  the  voluntary  eontrilDutions  of  the  Lords  i)eople 
fuul  those  benevolently  inclined.  But  this  was  accord- 
ing to  the  wish  ol'  tlie  S.u]jerintendent,  his  ])olicy  being 
to  turnish  full  intormation  of  the  woi'k,  and  then  rely 
imi)lieitly  and  directly  upon  the  promises  of  God  with 
reference  to  orphan  children.  "He  that  hath  ]Mtyu]jon 
Ihe  poor  lendeth  unto  the  Lord:  ;ind  that  which  he 
giveth  will  He  ])ay  him  again." — I'rov.  19:17.  "  I'uro 
religion  and  unrletiled  l)elbreGod  and  tlie  Father  is  this: 
To  visit  the  fatherless  and  widows  in  their  atlliction, 
and  to  keep  himself  unspotted  from  the  world."'  — 
[as.  1:27.  "Blessed  is  lie  that  considereth  the  ])oor; 
thelvordwill  deli\cr  liim  in  time  ot  trouble.'" — rsa.41:l. 

There  follow  ed  numerous  ai)])lications  for  tatherless 
and  ()r])liari  v-liildren,  \\  ho  came  until  the  rented  house 
^\■as  filled  to  its  utmost  ca])acity ,  and  there  were  still 
(juite.'i  mnnber  wdio  could  not  be  received  loi-  lack  o! 
roiun.  .\o  direct  a])])eal  was  e\cr  made  for  funds  tn 
feed  and  clothe  these  children.  \et  in  response  to  l)e- 
licving  prayi-r,  their  wants  were  ai\\a\'s  met. 


HISTORY     'JK     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  JAr'A'A 

As  ci  means  of  cii'culatiiiL;  iutoniiaLion  I'clathe  to 
the  Orphanage,  the  publieation  of  the( )rphana(;k  Gem, 
a  small  monthly  paj^er,  was  hes^iin  in  Jnne,  1<S;)7,  with 
.ji  snbseription  list  of  vSeven  hundred.  This  paper  has 
been  issued  reiiularly  every  month  since  that  time,  ex- 
cept in  October,  189S,  when  the  Su])erintendent  was 
])rostrated  with  yellow  fever.  In  addition  to  tlie  Gem 
an  annual  catalo_!j;ue  has  been  jiublished  in  June  of  eacli 
year,  givinii"  a  roster  of  the  children,  and  full  inhn-ma- 
tion  of  the  work  durini:;  the  year.  These  cataloi.iues 
have  iione  into  all  i)arts  of  the  State,  and  the  list  of  the 
Gem  has  i2,"rown  from  seven  hundred  to  foiir  tbousnnd 
five  hundred.  For  the  ])ast  two  years  all  the  work  of 
composition,  or  type-settinu,  has  been  done  on  the 
Catalogue  and  Gem  by  the  children  of  the  Orphanage. 
In  addition,  they  have  done  an  inniiense  amount  of  job 
work  in  the  ])rinting  office,  which  has  been  a  source  of 
revenue  to  the  Orphanage,  for  the  Orphanage  owns  a. 
Avell-equi]:)ped  {printing  olhee  of  its  own. 

In  July,  ISDT,  the  Baptist  State  Convention  met  in 
Grenada.  A  committee  was  api)ointed  on  the  Or[:)han- 
iige,  which  made  a  favorable  report.  The  body  was 
not  vet  ready,  however,  to  become  S])ons()r  tor  the 
infant  institution. 

In  the  lall  of  ISUT,  Jackson  was  threritened  witl: 
an  epidemic  of  yellow  fever.  The  city  was  almost  en- 
tirelv  depo])ulated.  and  was  rigidlv  (piarantined 
against  the  outside  world,  'f  iic  fever  raged  at  Edwards 
and  at  other  ]>oiuts  nearl)_\-,  and  was  dailv  c.\])ected  to 
break  out  in  Jackson.  .\s  ca  matter  of  ])recaution  the 
children  wei'c  nioxcd  to  a  house  in  the  northern  part  of 
Jackson,  wlu-re  tliey  would  be  comparali vcl\'  isolate*! 
if  the  fever  entered  Jackson.  However,  it  did  not  ente: 
the  city  that  \ear,  l)ut  was  kept  out  bv  the  ([uarantine 


i4-o(»  MISTORV     OF     MISSISSIPri      BAPTISTS. 

clotliin!^-  and  educatins.i-  homeless  ehiklreu  haxe  Ixe'.) 
invested  in  property  and  a])])lianees  for  earinii'  torehil- 
dren,  amounting-  in  value  to  forty  tbousnnd  dollars. 
This  is  the  aettial  eost  of  investments,  exeept  the  land, 
and  that  is  rated  at  less  than  one-half  the  prevailing- 
rate  ot  adjoining-  ])ro]jerty.  So  the  ()rphana,Lie  ])ro])erty 
is  aetu<ally  worth  forty  thousnud  dollars,  or  within 
five  thousand  dollars  of  the  total  eash  reeei])ts  of  the 
six  3-ears.  Besides  this,  it  has  cared  for  one  hundred 
and  and  iifty-hve  children  for  a  longer  or  shorter  period 
of  time  during  these  six  years.  In  receiving  these  chil- 
dren it  has  Ix'cn  the  aim  and  desire  to  receive  only  the 
most  destitute,  and  those  \vho  at  least  were  fatherless. 
In  some  instances,  through  the  urgency  of  friends,  some 
mistakes  have  l)een  made  and  children  have  been  re- 
ceived who  should  not  have  been  received.  But  it  is 
hard  to  avoid  entirely  such  mistakes. 

The  latest  and  one  of  the  most  valual)le  imijrove- 
ments  at  the  ()rj)hancage  has  been  the  ])utting  in  of  a 
steam  laundry  at  a  eost  of  seventeen  hundred  dollars. 
It  does  tlie  washing  of  aliout  one  hundred  people  in 
one  day,  with  a  great  saving  of  labor  and  a  saving  of 
ex])ense.  Before  this  machinery  was  installed  it  re- 
(juired  the  labor  of  colored  women  the  entire  week  and 
part  of  the  next  \veek  to  do  the  washing.  Now  it  is 
done  with  one-lirdf  of  the  lal^or  in  eight  or  ten  hours, 
and  is  done  so  much  better. 

It  is  simple  justice  to  sa  \-  that  to  Mrs.  Foster  more 
than  to  any  otlicr  one  human  agencv  has  been  due  the 
success  ol  the  (  )r])han,'igc.  'Ihere  have  l)een  most  excel- 
lent and  consecrated  hel]jers — Misses  Ida  and  Callie 
I'lowers,  .Misses  rarnell,  Shaw,  Wynn,  and  others — 
wdu)  have  wrought  not)lv  and  \vell,  and  who  deserve 
great  credit:  but  to  no  other  human  agency  does  the 
()rpliaiiage  owe  so  nnich  as  to  Mrs.  I'^jster. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS  14-37 

While  nuineroiis  Ijlossiiius  have  svirrounded  oiir 
pathwa\',  let  it  not  be  sujjposed  we  have  been  free  iVoin 
cares,  difficulties,  perplexities,  and  anxieties.  It-  lias 
riot  been  all  smooth  sailing-,  but  at  times  the  wild 
waves  have  rolled  high,  and  the  tempest  has  beat  upon 
ns.  Still  this  is  true,  we  have  always  heard  the  Aias- 
ter's  voice  amidst  the  thunder  and  roar  ol"  the  ImIIows. 
We  have  had  some  remarkal^le  deliverances  from  threat- 
ening calamities,  and  in  ways  we  did  not  expect.  So 
that  we  have  alwaA^'s  been  made  to  feel  that  "  the  Lord, 
of  Hosts  is  with  us  :  the  God  of  Jacob  is  our  refuge." 


143S  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


SUvSTENTATIOX. 

It  has  Ikcu  the  custom  of  our  district  associations 
Ihrough  the  passinof  years  of  their  existence  to  care 
for  the  old  ministers  in  needy  circumstances,  and  to  aid 
the  widows  of  preachers,  who  were  left  in  the  world 
Avith  no  adequate  means  of  support.  Especially  has 
this  been  true  of  the  Pearl  River,  Harmony,  Union, 
Strong  River  and  Kosciusko  associations. 

But  it  was  not  until^  1881  that  the  charity  was 
taken  hold  of  by  the  State  Convention.  Capt.  W.  H. 
Hardy,  the  president  of  the  convention,  recommended 
strongly  in  his  annual  address  to  the  body  the  need  of 
organized  effort  for  the  relief  of  many  old  and  indigent 
preachers,  who  had  given  their  lives  to  work  of  the 
ministry,  receiving  inade(juate  support. 

The  convention  took  action  on  the  suggestion  of 
the  president,  and  asked  that  a  committee  of  five  be 
raised  on  the  subject.  The  committee  consisted  of  T.E. 
Tate,  D.  I.  Purser,  W.  H.  Davis,  \V.  H.  Carroll,  and 
M.  A.  Dees.  The  committee  recommended  that  a  board 
of  eleven  be  created,  whose  duty  wjis  to  be  "  to  devise 
Avays  and  means  for  the  support  of  indigent  Baptist 
ministers,  and  the  indigent  orphans  of  Baptist  minis- 
ters, within  the  l^oundsof  this  convention."'  The  Board 
■was  to  l)e  chosen  annually  and  located  in  Meridian, 
■with  the  right  of  chosing  its  time  and  })lace  of  meeting, 
and  making  its  own  rules  of  government. 

I'ljon   call  of  the   president  of  the   convention   the 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1439 

Bo'cwd  met  in  Meridian,  Jainiarv  21,  1NS2,  and  organ- 
ized by  the  eleetion  ol  J.  K.  Kirkand,  president,  W.  H. 
Patton,  vice-])resident,  and  T.  L.  Hurll)urt,  secretary 
and  treasurer.  The  Board  had  an  address  to  the  Bap- 
tists of  the  State,  ])ublished  in  the  Record.  But  it  ap- 
pears  tliat  the  ehureli  in  Meridian  was  the  only  church 
in  the  State  to  respond  to  the  address.  The  Board  had 
on  hand  at  the  convention  of  1JSS2,  the  sum  of  $lv3.50, 
and  asked  advice  of  that  Ijody  as  to  how  funds  were  to 
be  a]))n*oi>riated. 

Tlie  committee  appointed  to  report  on  the  subject 
to  tlie  convention  of  1882  recommended  that  the 
])reachers  in  the  l>ounds  of  the  convention  "hunt  out 
all  superannuated  indigent  Ba])tist  ministers,  and  indi- 
gent families  of  deceased  Baptist  ministers,  and  report 
them  to  the  Board  of  Sustentation,  and  that  the  mat- 
ter of  aiding  them  be  put  l)efore  the  churches.  The 
Board  was  authorized  to  disburse  funds  according  to 
its  discretion,  and  was  asked  to  report  a  detailed  state- 
ment of  disbursement  annually  to  the  convention. 

The  Board  reported  to  the  convention  of  1883,  that 
they  had  held  no  meeting  through  the  past  year.  The 
claims  of  this  worthy  object  had  been  presented  to  the 
Chickasahay  Association,  and  a  collection  of  $16.00 
received.  The  Board  had  on  hand  $315.90,  and  the 
sum  of  $38.80  was  received  by  the  finance  committee 
of  the  convention. 

The  following  year  the  Board  reported  that  there 
Avere  great  demands  ))eing  made  upon  them,  and  that 
the  income  was  yet  small.  They  had  on  hand  $153.00 
only,  and  called  on  the  pastors  to  place  this  benevo- 
lence before  their  churches.  Again  in  1885,  they  rc- 
jiorted  little  money  realized,  having  on  hand  $159.75. 
A  long   list  of  indigent   ministers  was   added  to   their 


14-4-0  IIISTORV     OF     >!-S!sISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

I'eport  to  the  convention.  These  ministers  were  in  the- 
Louisville,  Tishonnn^o,  Tijjpah,  Strong  River,  Vazoo, 
Cold  Water  and  Fair  River  associations. 

In  1SS5,  the  Convention  Board  was  instituted  and 
the  Board  of  Sustentation  merged  into  it.  In  18.SG,  the 
Convention  Board  in  reporting  on  vSustentation,  s^iid  : 
*'  We  are  glad  to  report  a  surjjlus  m  our  treasury  for 
this  object."'  This  should  have  made  them  glad,  for  a 
^'surplus'"  is  unusual  with  Ba])tists.  The  next  year  the 
report  was  substantially  the  same.  Few  calls  were 
bc'ing  made  for  help. 

The  report  of  the  Convention  Board  in  ISSS,  has 
in  it  this  language:  "We  call  this  the  ])oetr_\-'of  the 
^work.  Not  one  has  lieen  turned  away  this  year. 
Some  of  the  letters  received  in  return  were  vcrv  touch- 
ing. ( )ne  widow,  with  six  small  children,  \\-rote  how 
this  timely  assistance  drove  the  wolf  from  the  door, 
and  helped  her  to  make  a  cro])  on  her  little  ffirm."' 
Should  the  eye  of  Capt.  W.  H.  Hardy  fall  on  this  state- 
ment, surelv  he  will  be  repaifl  for  his  long  \ears  of 
struggle  in  j)utting  on  its  feet  this  noble  enCer])risc. 

For  the  next  three  years,  the  work  was  small,  and 
had  no  enthusiasm  attached  to  it.  In  1S91 ,  the  Con- 
vention l^oard  reported  thus  :  "The  Board  has  heij)e(l 
every  ap])lieant.  But  few  of  our  ministers  apply  for 
assistance.  '  The  demands  were  not  great,  and  otliei" 
large  interests  \vere  being  jiressed  in  the  State.  Tlu; 
cause  of  Sustentation  was  near  to  the  heart  ot  e\erv 
one,  and  a  liberal  resi)onse  was  made  when  it  was  em- 
phasised, l)ut  to  hold  its  standing  among  the  nutny 
great  causes  jjlaced  before  our  j)eople,  its  friends  had  to 
speak  aloud  \M)\v  and  then. 

hi  1.S92,  $4,^7.6")  ^vas  recei\'e(l  for  sustentation. 
It  was   said   that   \ear:     "F'^ortunately    1)ut    few  of  our 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTIS1».  14.41 

preachers  need  heli)."'  The  following  3'ear  the  Commit- 
tee on  Sustentation  had  in  their  report  this  language : 
"()nh'  one-third  of  the  associations  report  any  contri- 
Inition  whatever,  while  very  few  of  the  churches  make 
any  contributions  to  this  cause."' 

Baptists  are  a  great  people  for  recommendations 
and  resolutions.  If  resolutions  had  an^'-gold  and  silver 
in  them,  Baptists  coidd  put  a  missionary  in  every  five 
miles  square  of  heathenism.  In  1894-,  a  suggestion 
came  to  the  convention  from  the  Chickasahay  Associa- 
tion looking  to  the  raising  of  an  endowment  fund  for 
sustentation,  the  interest  on  wdiich  was  to  be  used  for 
that  cause.  The  suggestion,  in  that  shape,  did  not 
impress  itself  favorably  upon  the  convention.  Only  the 
sum  of  $4-65.87  was  received  for  this  cause  by  the  Con- 
vention Board  in  1893  and  1894-.  The  amount  received 
was  somewhat  less  the  following  \'ear.  The  friends  of 
the  cause  begiin  to  cry  aloud  for  better  recognition. 

In  1896,  the  receipts  of  the  Board  for  sustentation 
were  $4o0.0().  Eleven  aged  ministers  were  then  being 
aided  from  the  fund,  which  assured  them  $40.00  each 
for  the  year.  It  is  usual  to  assist  them,  allowing 
$10.00  to  each  applicant  through  each  of  the  winter 
months,  l3ut,  at  that  time,  there  were  twelve  or  tifteen 
more  "  old  heroes  of  the  cross  "  who  needed  some  help, 
and  the  Committee  on  Sustentation  began  to  "crowd'' 
for  more  room. 

It  was  customary  at  that  time  for  the  churches  to 
take  Christmas  offermgs  for  sustentation.  But  in  1897, 
other  objects  wished  Christmas  offerings  also,  and  the 
collections  for  sustentation  were  reduced.  They  should 
not  have  so  encroachedj  on  the  privileges  of  the  little- 
one  of  the  famih'.  The  sum  of  $4-86. 34-  was  received 
that  year  for  the  cause.  The  year  following  the  sum  of" 
$444-. 9 7  was  received. 


144-2  flISTOKY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

^Vc  take  the  followin.'j,"  extract  from  the  re])()rt  pres- 
ented l)y  the  Committee  on  Siistentation  in  1899:  "This 
convention  should  see  to  it  that  neither  the  at^ed 
pre^iehers  nor  their  families  should  1)e  without  theneees 
sities  and  eomforts  of  life,  who,  under  a  eall  of  God, 
have  turned  away  from  other  vocations,  in  which  thej 
could  have  made  provision  for  old  age,  and  consecrated 
their  time,  their  talent,  their  all  to  the  service  of  the 
Master."  In  1899,  the  sum  of  $368.32  was  contrilj- 
nted  to  this  cause,  and,  in  1900,  the  lariicr  amoinit,  hy 
far,  of  $004.21. 

The  treasurer  of  the  Convention  Board  has  on  hand 
at  present  $4-56.42  to  the  credit  of  sustentation.  As- 
sistance is  being  given  to  thirteen  families.  Dr.  A.  V. 
^owe,  secretary  of  the  Convention  Board,  says,  that 
our  people  res])onded  no  more  readily  to  an  appeal  for 
help  for  any  other  cause  tlian  for  sustentation,  when 
the  appeal  is  properly  made.  Heaven's  .blessings  rest 
on  our  aged  heroes,  cind  may  they  go  to  their  reward 
peacefully,  resting'  on  the  sure  assistance  of  their  loved 
ones  in  the  hours  of  need  find  ]3ain,  and  for  the  support 
of  their  families  when  their  cold-folded  hands  cannot 
lal^or. 


HISTORY     OF     Mi'SSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1M3 


BAPTIST   YOUNG    PEOPLPrS   UXIOX. 

At  the  mectinii-  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention 
in  Washinii,"ton  City,  in  May,  1895,  it  was  agreed  to 
estal)]ish  a  Southern  youn^-  ]x'()ple's  union  The  ques- 
tion was  warmly  del)ate(l,  and  the  movement  met  by 
mucli  ojjposition,  liut  it  was  ai>"reeal)ly  settled. 

At  the  meetinij  of  the  Baptist  State  Convention  of 
that  year,  the  hrst  rei)ort  was  reeeived  ])v  that  deliber- 
ative body  on  the  Young"  People's  Work.  By  speeial 
motion  a  eommittee  was  appointed  on  the  suljjeet, 
wnth  R.  W.  Merrill  as  ehairman.  Three  reeommenda- 
tions  were  made  by  the  eommittee,  that  the  ehurehes 
be  urgently  recpiested  to  consider  their  responsil)ility 
for  the  training"  of  the  young"  for  usefulness,  that  the 
ehurehes  be  asked  to  give  direction  to  the  religious  ac- 
tivities of  the  youth,  and  that  organizations  intended  to 
inure  to  their  beneht  be  under  the  control  of  the  local 
churches.  A  few  societies  were  being  formed  in  the 
churches,  and  the  new  line  of  work  was  beifinning  to 
show  its  infant  existence. 

In  the  year  1S96,  the  State  Convention  met  in  July. 
That  lK)dy  heartily  approved  the  organization  of  the 
Young  People's  Union,  auxiliary  to  the  Southern  Bap- 
tist Convention.  This  action  gave  basis  for  organized 
work.  The  friends  of  the  movement  became  active. 
One  ot  the  most  ardent  supporters  of  the  new  move- 
ment was  Arthur  Flake,  a  prosperous  young  merchant 
of  Winona.     He  was  faithfully  seconded  in  his  activities 


14-44-  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

TjY  his  pastor,  T.  J.  Bailey.  A  meeting  of  young  people- 
was  annonneed  for  November  9th,  10th  and  11th.  The 
meeting  was  held  in  Winona  and  was  replete  with 
interest.  The\'  had  with  them  John  D.  Jordan,  the  first 
seeretary  of  the  Southern  B.  Y.  P.  V .  The  gathering 
was  large,  and  the  discussions  animated  and  pleasant. 
This  meeting  was  in  the  form  of  a  projected  movement. 
Three  reasons  were  given  for  their  favorable  mentif)n 
of  the  Union — to  more  thoroughly  indoctrinate  the 
3'oung  people,  to  disseminate  mission  intelligence,  and 
to  lead  the  young  people  to  realize  their  responsibility 
for  the  salvation  of  lost  souls. 

The  promoters  of  the  cause  were  animated  to  an- 
other effort  at  the  diffusion  of  sentiment  on  the  work 
of  the  B.  Y.  P.  U.  The  ^-ellow  fever  was  prevailing  in 
the  State  in  the  fall,  but  a  meeting  was  called  in  the 
following  spring.  It  was  held  in  West  Poinc  in  the 
month  of  March  (10th)  1S98,  which  was  in  the  con- 
ventional year  1897-98.  C.  A.  Blackwell,  tnen  secre- 
tary of  the  Southern  B.  Y.  P.  U.,  was  present.  Quite  a 
number  of  good  papers  were  read,  and  many  good 
speeches  made.  While  no  great  enthusiasm  m  the 
movement  was  shown,  the  cause  was  promoted  b^-  this 
second  meeting  intended  to  reveal  the  wishes  of  Missis- 
sippi Baptists  in-  this  progressive  undertaking.  The 
enthusiastic  supporters  of  the  B.  Y.  P.  U.  m  this  meet- 
ing were :  Arthur  Flake,  E.  Pendleton  Jones,  J.  N.  Mc- 
Millin,  W.  T.  Lowrey  and  T.  J.  Bailey. 

In  the  report  on  the  B.  Y.  P.  U.  placed  before  the 
convention  in  1899,  was  this  language:  "In  view  of 
our  responsiljility  and  the  good  results  olotained  in 
other  States,  your  committee  would  recommend  that 
our  State  manager  of  the  B.  Y.  P.  U.  Auxiliary  to  the 
Soutliern  Bajjtist  Convention,  during   the   convention.. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  14-i5 

call  ci  niectiiiii'  to  be  held  at  some  appropriate  time  and 
place  with  a  view  ot  organizing-  a  Stiite  B.  Y.  P.  U." 
This  language  is  a  transformed  statement  of  the  recom- 
mendation ot  the  committee. 

The  meeting  suggested  In-  that  committee  was  held 
in  Canton,  loeginning  Tuesday,  November  22,  1899. 
The  meeting  \vas  called  to  order  by  the  manager. 
Arthur  Flake,  of  Winona,  was  called  to  the  chair,  and 
L.  P.  Leavell  asked  to  act  as  secrerary  of  the  bod\-  in 
its  temporary  organization.  A  committee  was  ap- 
pointed on  enrollment.  Delegates  were  present  from 
twenty-live  churches,  the  church  at  Winona  having 
twenty-three  representatives.  A  constitution  and  a 
program  for  that  meeting  were  presented  l)v  the  com- 
mittee appointCvl  at  Al)er(leen  for  that  ])ur]3ose. 

The  first  article  of  the  constitution  referred  to  the 
name  the  union  was.to  carry.  The  second  and  tlnrd 
articles,  being  veiw  important,  will  be  given  in  lull: 

Article  II. — Object.  The  object  of  this  organization 
shall  be  the  unification  of  Baptist  young  people:  their 
increased  spirituality;  their  stimulation  in  Christian 
service;  their  edification  in  Christitm  knowledge;  their 
instruction  in  Baptist  doctrine  and  history,  and  their 
enlistment  in  all  nnssionary  activity  tlirough  existing 
denominational  organizations. 

Art.  III. — Membership.  The  meml)ership  of  this 
nnion  shall  consist  of  accredited  delegates  from  voung 
peoples"  societies  in  Baptist  churches  in  Alississippi  and 
from  Ba])tist  churches  having  no  young  ]jeoples"  organi- 
-zations.''  .\rticle  4-  refers  to  rejiresentation,  article  5 
to  the  officers,  article  G  to  Executive  Board,  and  article 
7  to  amendments. 

The  (~)fficers  of  the  temporary  or^janization  were 
made  the  officers  of  the   i)ermanent   organization.     In 


14-46  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS, 

addition  to  these  two  oliicers,  the  Ijody  had  a  vice- 
president,  II.  E.  Wilkinson,  of  Vicksburg,  and  a  treasu- 
rer, Lamar  Allen,  of  Winona.  An  address  of  welcome 
Avas  made  to  the  Union  by  E.  A.  Howell,  of  Canton,  and 
was  conrteoush'  responded  to  by  Prof.  C.  H.  Brongli, 
of  Mississii)pi  College. 

The  ]jrocee(lings  of  the  Union  were  characterized  by 
order,  disjjatch,  and  a  l)cautifnl  Christian  spirit.  The 
meeting  was  truly  enjoyable,  and  was  composed  of 
^Mjutig  people  capable  of  enjoying  it.  In  all  the  writer's 
experience  and  observation  in  attending  the  meetings 
of  delil)erative  l)odies  for  thirty  3-ears,  he  has  not  3'et 
been  in  one  the  ecjual  of  this  in  combining  business,  dis- 
patch, and  religious  animation. 

Many  short  and  pithy  addresses  were  made  on  such 
subjects  as,  "The  relation  Ix'tween  the  B.  Y.  P.  U.  and 
the  church,"'  The  B.  Y.  P.  IT.  ifi  country  churches.'" 
''  How  to  help  our  own  church,"'  and,  "  Denominational 
Loyalty."" 

The  prominent  and  enthusiastic  young  men  in  the 
body  were:  H.  P.  Hurt,  W.  P.  Price,  L.  P.  Leavell, 
C.  H.  Brough,  Lamar  Allen,  G.  B.  Butler,  C.  C.  Pugh, 
and  Arthur  Flake. 

Tlie  crowning  pleasure  of  the  body  \vas  the  ad- 
dresses of  Dr.  E.  E.  Chivers,  General  Secretary  of  the 
B.  Y.  P.  U,  A.  His  main  address  was  on  "The  Na_ 
ture,  Scope,  and  Underhdng  Principles  and  Methods  of 
B.  Y.  P.  U.  Work."'  It  was  a  remarkalile  address. 
Seldom  is  one  favored  with  witnessing  such  a  display 
of  iiseful  knowlege,  crisp  utterances,  logical  arguments, 
and  stirring  elo([uence.  He  delighted  his  vast  audience, 
and  magnified  his  office. 

The  second  annual  convention  was  held  at  Clinton^ 
beginning  Xoveml^er  6,  1900.     Ai'thur  Flake   was   sick 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1447 

at  his  home  in  Winona,  and  a  l)cautitul  coniphmcnt 
was  paid  him  by  the  Union  in  electing  him  anvwav  to 
preside  over  the  body.  He  was  a1)le  to  reach  CHnton 
in  a  da}-  or  two.  H.  E.  Wilkinson  was  made  vice-presi- 
dent, Landrnm  Leavell,  secretary,  and  Lamar  Allen, 
treasurer. 

Dr.  E.  E.  Chivers,  to  the  g-reat  delight  of  the  con- 
vention,  was  able  to  spend  some  time  with  the  body, 
and  was  enthusiastic^dly  greeted.  He.  is  alwavs  fresh 
and  interesting.  He  always  has  something  to  say  to 
the  point,  no  matter  what  subject  is  being  discussed. 
He  pleaded  for  a  more  thorough  study  of  the  Hilile,  and 
spoke  of  many  of  its  beauties  in  an  inimitable  wav. 

The  Union  held  under  discussion  such  subjects  as, 
"The  Ideal  Missionary,'  "Our  Obligations  to  Mis- 
sions." "The  O  Missionary  Church,"  and  "How  to 
push  the  associational  B.  Y.  P.  U.  Avork."' 

The  body  had  in  it  many  strong  men  of  advanced 
age,  who  seemed  to  foi'get  the  lapse  of  years,  and  en- 
tered into  the  meeting  with  as  much  zest  as  the  younger 
men.  Among  these  were:  J.  B.  Searcy,  L.  A.  Duncan, 
H.  P.  Sproles  and  A.  V.  Rowe.  A  numljer  of  promising 
young  men  were  in  the  meeting  who  did  not  have  the 
pleasvxre  of  being  in  the  body  the  year  previous,  as  J.  B. 
Lawi-ence,  W.  A.  Hamlett,  J.  W.  Sturdivant,  P.  I.  Lip- 
se\',  L.  F.  Gregory,  S.  W.  Si)roles,  J.  L.  Low,  and  J.  P. 
Culpepper. 

H.  F.  Sproles  introduced  Dr.  Barrett  and  his  wife 
to  the  convention.  The  genial  doctor  spoke  pleasantly 
of  his  work  among  the  colored  people,  and  was  heard 
gladly.  He  has  charge  of  the  Jackson  College,  a  school 
fostered  and  maintained  by  the  Baptists  of  the  North. 
He  is  a  perfect  gentleman,  and  well  thought  of  bv  all 
who  know  him  well. 


144-S  HISTORY     OF     MlSSISSirn     IJAPTISTS. 

This  second  convention  of  the  l)o(l_v  was  intended 
to  promote  the  missionary  spirit  among-  tlie  young 
people.  Before  the  Junior  Union,  R.  A.  Cohron  spoke 
on  "The  Delta,"  J.B.Searcy  on  "The  Gulf  Coast," 
nnk  J.  K.  Johnston  on  "  The  G.  &  S.  I.  R.  R." 

This  history  does  not  propose  to  deal  with  any  of 
the  affairs  of  the  Baptists  of  Alississippi  of  the  new  cen- 
tury. But  it  is  allowa1)le  to  say  that  the  B.  Y.P.U.Con- 
vcntion  was  of  t*lie  same  cloth  as  the  two  previous  con- 
ventions. The  B,  Y.  P.  U.  work  is  in  a  cheerful,  hope- 
ful condition.  We  will  conclude  what  we  liave  to  say 
on  the  B.  Y.  P.  Union  with  a  quotation  from  a  recent 
letter  from  Arthur  Flake:  "I  think  mo.st  of  thermions 
now  organized  have  yery  good  weekly  devotional  ser- 
vices, and  believe  the  Bil)le  readers  course  is  followed 
by  more  young  people  than  either  the  sacred  literature, 
or  conquest  missionary  courses.  The  studies  are  hard, 
and  it  recpiires  persistent  application  and  earnestness 
to  make  a  success  of  them,  and  I  find  3'oung  people,  as 
a  rule,  slow  to  take  hold  of  real  hard  work  in  :\ny  de- 
partment of  life.  However,  I  believe  we  are  making- 
progress,  and  our  meeting  at  Oxford  this  fall  cdready 
shows  indications  of  being  the  best  of  all  our  conven- 
tions." 


HISTORY     (iF     MISSISSIPPI     HAPTISTS.  1449 


NEGRO  BAPTISTS   iX    MISSISSIPPI. 

P.  H.  Thomijson,  of  Jackson,  AHss.,  lonij  a  teacher 
in  Jackson  Collet:,"e,  luis  written  a  histor^v  of  Xegro  Bap- 
tists of  our  State.  He  has  given  his  race  a  large  book, 
well  written.  It  can  be  had  on  the  market  l3y  anyone 
who  is  willing"  to  pay  for  it.  To  write  tmother  history 
of  otir  Xegro  Bajjtists  would  be,  indeed,  a  work  of 
supererogation.  All  that  is  necessary  in  this  work 
is,  to  give  some  iniormation  valuable  to  the  student  of 
history.  This  will  be  done  at  an  easy  swinging  ]3ace, 
and  briefly.  Thompson  calls  his  people  Xcgroes,  and 
does  not  s]jeak  of  them  otlierwise,  and,  as  the  term  is 
deemed  without  odium  by  him,  it  will  be  used  here,  tis 
it  is  well  known,  and  C[uite  easy  to  write. 

In  the  early  history  oi  our  oldest  associations,  we 
find  that  the  Xegroes  were  in  churches  to  themselves. 
The  most  of  them  were  in  slavery,  but  some  of  them 
were  free.  There  was  what  was  called  an  African 
church  in  the  Mississippi  Association  in  1810-1 1-13- 
14-16-17-18—19.  In  1819  another  applied  for  mem- 
1iershi]j  in  the  Association,  but,  the  fipplication  being 
irregular,  action  was  deferred  in  the  matter.  There 
was  one  African  church  for  a  short  tune  in  the  Pearl 
River  Association.  A  little  later,  they  were  in  the 
churches  with  the  whites.  Some  of  them  had  sepa- 
rate church  houses,  as  the  Rose  Hill  church  of  Xatchez. 
In  some  of  the  churches  there   was   a   petitic^n,    divid- 


14-50  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

miz  the  Icniitli  of  the  church,  aiul  the  Xe»;"rocs  oc- 
cupied the  apartment  at  the  iDack  of  the  pulpit.  Some 
churches  had  basements  for  them,  and  some  hatl  u;id- 
leries.  Bajjtists  provided  for  their  accommodation  in 
Avorship,  if  there  were  any  Negroes  near  the  churcli, 
and  looked  closely  after  their  interest. 

Before  the  Civil  War,  nearly  all  our  associations 
had  reports  on  "The  Spiritual  Welfare  of  the  Colored 
People.'"  This  custom  was  invariable  wth  the  Missis- 
sippi Baptist  State  Convention.  When  the  war  came 
on  nearly  all  the  Negroes  ^vere  Baptists,  regardless  of 
the  religious  persuasion  of  their  owners.  It  did  not 
just  happen  that  wa^' :  Baptists  cared  for  them,  and 
saw  that  they  had  the  gospel  preached  to  them. 

At  the  close  of  the  Civil  War,  it  was  a  serious  ((ues- 
tion  as  to  what  was  l^est  for  the  Neuroes  religioush'. 
The\'  were  many  of  them  alienated  from  the  Southern 
white  man  by  designing  men.  Their  relation  to  the 
whites  was  a  novel  one,  and,  really,  they  were  a  dis- 
tinct people,  and  wished  to  be  to  themselves.  IMie  ma- 
jority of  the  whites  thought  it  best  to  encourage  them 
to  form  churches  of  their  own,  and  assisted  them  in  the 
organization.  The  Baptist  form  of  government  w'as 
not  intricate",  and  being  a  highly  imitative  people,  they 
soon  got  their  churches  in  some  sort  of  working  order. 
At  the  close  of  the  war,  the}'  had  no  ordained  ministers, 
but  the  white  preachers  aided  the  churches  in  ordaining 
them,  and  the}'  soon  could  preach  something. 

Thompson  says  that,  soon  after  the  Civil  War, 
many  "  Mushroom  Associations  ''  sprung  up.  The  Ne- 
groes soon  began  to  organize  into  district  associations, 
and  get  ready  for  housekeeping  to  themselves.  The 
First  Baptist  Antioch  Association  was  organized  at 
Rose   Hill   church   in  December,  1.S6.S ;  the  First  Saints 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  l^^l 

Macedonia  Association  in  December  of  the  same  year; 
and  the  First  Saints  Ra])tist  Alissionary  Association  in 
March,  1S69.  Ka]n(lly  were  they  organized  all  over 
the  State  after  that  date. 

Thev  had  many  strong  men  of  their  race,  who  knew 
how  to  manage  them,  and  some  of  these  held  office  in 
the  associations  long  and  well.  They  were  essential, 
and  did  a  good  work  in  managing  the  masses.  Some 
of  the  bodies  sought*  the  aid  and  council  of  the  white 
])reachers,  but  it  was  the  exception  and"  net  the  rule. 
Thev  knew  each  other,  and  what  was  nccessciry  to  hold 
each  ocher  in  line,  and  they  adopted  their  own  methods. 
At  the  meeting  of  the  Mississippi  Baptist  State  Con- 
vention, in  July,  lS9v3,  Dr.  J.  B.  Gambrell  presented  a 
resolution  to  the  body  to  the  effect  that  the  State  Alis- 
sion  Board  secure  a  suitalile  man  to  labor  amo'ng  the 
colored  people,  who  should  hold  Minister's  Institutes ; 
and  that  the  Board  apply  to  the  Home  Mission  Society- 
of  the  North  to  ol)tam  their  co-operation  in  the  mission. 
An  effort  was  nuide  to  secure  this  co-oj^eration,  but 
the  Home  Mission  Society  while  approving  the  under- 
taking, was  prevented  from  accepting  the  jjroposition 
of  the  State  Mission  Board  on  account  of  heavy  de- 
mands upon  their  available  means.  But  the  State 
Board  had  W.  M.  Farrar  doing  some  work  with  the 
colored  people  until  January  1,  1877. 

In  the  report  of  the  State  Board,  1880,  it  was  said 
that  "the  Board  had  determined  to  enter  at  once  upon 
this  important  work.""  In  January,  1881,  A.  H.  Booth 
was  commissioned  b\'  this  Board  to  hold  Bible  Insti- 
tutes among  the  colored  people.  The  Home  Mission 
Society'  bore  one-half  of  the  expenses  of  the  work.  A. 
H.  Booth  was  greath'  encouraged  in  his  work.  He  con- 
tinued in  the  work  until  March  1,  1883. 


14-32  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     J5APTISTS. 

At  the  January  nK'etii\y,of  the  State  Board,  in  1S87, 
L.  Ball  was  transferred  ironi  his  work  as  State  Evange- 
list to  work  among-  the  colored  people.  The  Home 
Mission  Board  of  the  South  heartily  joined  in  the  work, 
proposing  to  carry  one-half  of  all  the  \York  the  State 
Board  would  undertake  among  the  Negroes  of  Alissis- 
sipjji.  G.  \V.  Fears,  a  colored  minister,  was  also  com- 
missioned by  the  State  Board.  The  General  Associa- 
tion of  Colored  Baptists  in  the  State  agreed  to  pay  one- 
half  of  his  salary.  These  two  missionaries  were  under 
the  contract  of  the  State  Board  until  the  summer  of 
188S. 

In  1896,  nine  white  ministers  of  the  State  Conven- 
tion conducted  Colored  Preachers'  Institutes.  They 
lectured  each  four  weeks,  laboring  four  diU'S  in  the 
week.  They  taught  the  colored  ministers  the  l^ible, 
church  government,  pastoral  duties,  sermon  building, 
etc.  They  did  an  acccptal^le  work  among  the  colored 
people.     The  following   year,  institutes  were  held  by  R. 

A.  Venable,  at  Aleridcin;  T.  J.  Bailey,  at  Winona:  J.  K. 
Pace,  at  Hazlehurst ;  T.  G.  Sellers,  at  Starkville;  S.  W. 
Sibky,  at  AlcComb,  and  R.  A.  Cooper,  at  Pontotoc. 
These  ministers  were  of  different  parts  of  the  State,  and 
were  representative  preachers  of  the  State  Convention. 
They  taught  one  month  each.     In  1899,  E.  A.  Jones,  G. 

B.  Butler  and  1\  I.  Lipsey,  did  a  like  work  for  the 
Colored  Baptists  of  our  Stcite.  The  lal^orsof  the  white 
ministers  in  these  Institutes  were  generally  acceptable 
to  the  Negroes. 

In  1898,  there  were  thirt\--six  Negro  Baptist  Asso- 
ciations in  the  State.  Below  they  will  be  found  tabu- 
lated with  the  date  of  organization,  and  their  member- 


HISTORY     OP""     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


14-53 


ship   in    1898.     This   table   is  nearly  the  same  as  given 
by  Thompson : 


X.\.Mi:S    iJF    OUC.AXIZA  1  I'lX.- 


o 


.2;  t; 


Tackson  .Missionary  Baptist  Association 1868  6,000 

Mississippi  Colored  Baptist  Association 1S68'4,608 

Gethscnianc  Baptist  Association 1868'     900 

P(jnt()toc  Bajjtist  Associati(Mi 1S(]8  1,800 

Mt.  Olivet  Missionary  Baptist  Association 1  S6<t  6,8.")!) 

North  Mt.  Olivet  Missionary  Baptist  Association '1S(')<)  ."),2()7 

]\Iadison  Connty  Baptist  Association 1  ^(i'j  ,",000' 

Sjjrinti  Hill  Baptist  Association  South ,.. 1  "-^ti'.i  2,142 

Sprinji  Hill  Baptist  Association  North |1869;2,626 

Sardis  .Missionai'A'  Baptist  Association .1869,7,589 

Zion  Missionar3'  Baptist  .Association '1870:3,179 

\Vhitlield  Missionary  Baptist  Association 1870      951 

Mississippi  I'nion  .Missionary  Baptist  Association 1870  2,264 

Ripley  Baptist  Association lS70i  1.293 

Tallahatchie  Missionary'  Baptist  Association 1870  1,000 

First  Enterprise  Baptist  Association .•.1871  4,500 

Grenada  Missionary  Baptist  Association 18714,000 

Hinds  Connty  Baptist  Association .' 1871  (),855 

Honnjchitto  Baptist  Association 1S72  2,707 

First  New  Hope  Bajilist  Association 1X72  3,000 

Second  New  Hope  and    Meridian  .\ssociation 1S73  0,266 

Palo  Alto  .Missionary  Baptist  .Association 1873  1,871 

Mt.  Olive  Missionary  Baptist  Association 1875  1,200 

Sea  Coast  Baptist  Association 187(5  1,000 

Pearl  River  Baptist  Association 18761 2, 27v5 

Mt.  Hope  Baptist  Association ...|l876|2,000 

Coffeeville  Missionary  Baptist  Association ; 1879  1,500 

Mt.  Moriah  Missionary  Baptist  .Association 1.S79  1,833 

Third  New  Hope  Baptist  Association 1880  1,700 

Home  and  Riverside  Baptist  .Association 1882  1,311 

Bolivar  County  Baptist  Association 18,s4  2,019 

Union  Home  Missionary  and  Educational  .Association Il889  1,202 

Gulf  Coast  Missionary  Baptist  Association 1891  1,487 

Pilgrims  Rest  Missionary  Baptist  .Association 1893  1,057 

Rankin  County  Baptist  .Association 1895   

Second  Calhotui  .Missionarv  .Association 1896   


14-.14  HISTORY     OF     illSSISSIPri     BAPTISTS. 

The  assiduity,  and  energy  of  I'rof.  Thompson,  in 
uatherin_u  and  tal)ulatinLi-  these  historieal  facts,  is  to 
be  highly  commended.  Thomjjson  is  a  worthy  man, 
and  a  high  commendation  to  his  race. 

The  Negroes  liave  liad  two  general  bodies  in  the 
State,  lint  at  i)resent  they  have  but  one  of  the  two  con- 
solidated. The  Bai)tist  Missionary  State  C(nivention 
was  organized  in  1S69,  at  Port  Gibson,  and  the  Gen- 
eral Missionary  Ba])tist  Association  in  1872  at  Oko- 
lona.  The  two  bodies  were  consolidated  in  1890.  The 
first  of  the  two  bodies  oj^erated  in  West  Mississippi, 
and  the  second  in  East  Mississi]jpi.  Their  strong  and 
AYorthy  men  in  the  western  part  of  the  State  have  been, 
H.  P.  Jacobs,  G.  W.  Gayles,  R.  Pollard,  and  G.  G. 
Middleton  ;  in  North  and  East  Mississippi,  Augustus 
Nators,  H.  W.  Bowen,  j.  F.  Boulden.and  \V.  H.  Jordan. 

In  the  course  of  years,  they  have  had  two  general 
organizations  of  women.  One  was  constituted  at  Can- 
Ion,  in  1886,  and  called  Woman's  General  Baptist  Mis- 
sionary Society  of  Mississippi;  the  other  is  Ccalled,  The 
General  Mississi])pi  Baptist  Woman's  Educational 
Convention,  and  was  constituted  in  1890  at  Shaw  in 
the  Delta. 

The  large  schools,  sustained  liy  the  Negroes  in  the 
State,  have  been  the  Natchez  Seminiiry  for  Freedmen, 
the  Jackson  College,  and  Natchez  College. 

Back  in  the  seventies  of  last  century,  they  wei"e 
working  with  commendable  zeal  to  establish  a  college. 
Madam  Theobald  of  Greenville,  with  her  usual  charity 
and  kindness,  gave  them  a  lot  at  Greenville  upon  which 
they  might  l)nild  their  school.  They  went  to  \vork  to 
gather  money  to  ]3ut  up  the  necessar3'  buildings,  and 
dei)osited  their  cash  in  the  Freedman's  Saving  Bank. 
When  that  bank  suspended  operations  they  lost  the 
neat  sum  of  v$l,54<7.08.     These  were  days  of  gloom. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAp-^lST^.  145S 

But  the  Baptist  Home  Mission  Society  of  the  North 
came  to  their  rescue  This  Society  bought  the  Marine 
Hospital  in  Natchez,  and,  in  1S77,  were  pi-epared  to 
open  up  a  scliool  for  them  as  they  said,  "to  enable  us 
to  educate  our  young  men  to  preach,  and  our  women 
to  teach."'  Dr.  Charles  Ayer  was  put  at  the  head  of 
the  institution  of  learning  Avhich  was  called,  "The 
Natchez  Seminary  for  Freedmen.'  The  enterprise  was 
a  success,  but  in  less  than  a  decade,  it  was  thought  l)est 
to  move  the  school  to  Jackson,  when  it  bec£ime  Jackson 
College.     The  removal  was  mtide  in  1S84-. 

The  removal  of  a  school  is  nearly  alwavs  accom- 
panied with  an  exj^ressed  disapprobation,  and  is  some- 
times followed  by  hurtiul  conse(|uences.  The  Baj)tists 
of  New  York  State  found  it  so,  jind  the  white  Bai)tists 
of  Mississippi  have  had  an  unhappy  experience  in  at- 
tempting such  a  thing. 

The  colored  Baptists  of  the  western  ])art  of  the 
State  wxn-e  much  opposed  to  the  removal  of  their  school. 
Es})ecially  was  this  true  within  a  radius  of  seventy 
miles  of  Natchez.  When  the  college  property  (Marine 
Hospital)  was  sold  to  the  city  of  Natchez,  and  the 
college  domiciled  in  Jackson,  tht:y  went  to  work 
to  rebuild  their  fortune.  I*rof.  V.  A.  Waixllaw  was 
chosen  as  principal  of  their  school,  find  the  Natchez 
College  opened  January  5,  1885. 

Prof.  Wardlaw,  bright  in  color  and  in  mind,  went 
at  his  work  with  a  zest.  The  Walworth  property, 
s  ome  little  distance  east  of  the  Marine  Hospital,  in  the 
suburbs  of  N:itche  z,  was  secured  as  school  property. 
It  beloiiged  to  Mr.  Britton  ol  Britton  &  Kountz  Bank, 
and  w:is  secured  on  easy  terms.  They  paid  $250.00 
cash  when  they  got  control  of  the  property,  and  later 
canceled  their  obligation,  amounting  to  $5,365.00. 


145G  HISTOKY     (»F     MISSISSIPI'I     15APTISTS. 

While  they  were  in  the  stress  of  ^idverse  cireum- 
staiiees,  Prof.  Wiinllawliad  the  writer  to  come  out  to 
the  college,  and  see  the  class  of  work  the\'  were  doing. 
This  historian  was  then  ])astor  in  Natchez.  Prof. 
Wardlaw  had  a  number  of  classes  examined.  A  stu- 
dent of  unciuestionahle  African  extraction  was  ex- 
amined on  Algebra,"  and  went  at  his  work  with  a  com- 
posure, thoughtfulness,  and  accuracy  that  was  highly 
commendable. 

Prof.  Wardlaw  closetl  his  connection  with  the 
school  in  1888,  and  was  succeeded  by  S.  PI.  C.  Owen. 
The  school  has  been  well  sustained,  and  has  been  hekl 
in  high  favor  by  colored  Baptists. 

The  Jackson  College  was  well  located  in  North 
Jackson.  The  grounds  were  ornamented  b3'  a  neat 
residence  for  the  president  of  the  school,  and  a  large 
brick  building  for  school  purpOvSes.  Millsaps  College 
was  located  near  the  school,  and  the  Trustees  of  ]\Iill- 
saps  College  hcive  recently  purchased  the  propert}^  of 
the  Jackson  College  for  a  dormitory-  for  students.  Dr. 
W.  B.  Murrah,  i)resident  of  Millsaps  College,  recently 
said,  that  he  could  not  wish  more  cjuiet  and  peaceal>le 
neighbors  than  he  had  in  Jackson  College. 

Upon  the  resignation  ot  Dr.  Charles  AA'er  in  18S4-, 
Dr.  L.  G.  Barrett  of  AlassachusettS,  became  president 
of  Jackson  College,  and  is  at  present  in  charge  of  the 
institution.  No  better  selection  could  have  been 
made  to  lill  the  jjresidencv  of  the  Jackson  College.  Dr. 
Barrett  is  a  man  of  thorough  culture,  affable  and 
courteous  to  everyone.  He  has  fine  ^idministrative 
ability.  He  is  greatly  admired  In-  the  white  citizens  of 
Jackson,  and  reverenced  by  the  colored  people.  He  is  a 
man  of  unusual  versatilitv  of  character,  and  well  fitted 
for  the  work  in  which  he  is  engaged. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1457 

At  the  session  of  their  State  Convention  in  July, 
,1897,  a  basis  of  co-operation  in  scliool  work  Ijetween 
them  and  the  Home  Mission  Society  of  the  North  was 
agreed  upon,  which  placed  the  Natchez  College  and  the 
Jackson  College  in  affiliation.  It  was  agreed  that  the 
convention  adopt  the  Jackson  College  for  doing  a  high 
grade  of  educational  work,  and  have  the  Natchez  Col- 
lege so  affiliated  with  it  as  to  do  secondary  work  that 
accorded  with  the  school  work  done  in  Jackson  College. 
The  Board  of  Trustees  of  Jackson  College  was  to  be 
composed  of  whites  and  blacks,  and  the  entire  control 
of  the  Natchez  College  to  be  given  to  a  Negro  Board  of. 
Trustees. 

Having  Ijecn  a  ])astor  in  AlissiSvSipjji  for  a  quarter 
of  a  centur\',  and  having  an  observing  eye,  the  writer 
knows  something  of  the  leading  ministers  among  our 
Negro  Baptists  in  the  State.  While  a  pastor  in  Oxford 
ke  knew  H.  W.  Bowen  well.  Bowen  was  his  pupil  in 
mathematics  for  a  while.  During  Bowen's  sta^'  in  Ox- 
ford as  pastor,  liis  house  of  worship  burned  to  the 
ground.  He  came  to  the  pastor's  study  next  morning 
for  advice  in  the  emergency.  He  was  handed  $5.00, 
and  told  to  go  at  once  among  the  wliites  of  the  town 
for  a  collection.  Soon  a  new  house  of  worship  was 
built.  Bowen  is  a  man  of  power.  He  is  a  fine  sermon- 
izer,  and  a  good  pastor.  He  has  held  many  high  posi- 
tions among  his  people,  and  is  now  accustomed  to  see 
a  D.  D.  after  his  name,  when  it  appears  in  print. 

R.  Pollard  was  a  unique  character.  He  was  long 
the  pastor  of  Rose  Hill  church  at  Natchez.  He  was 
born  to  be  a  ruler  of  people.  He  had  a  large  church, 
and  kept  it  well  in  hand.  He  had  the  rougher  element 
of  the  colored  Baptists  of  Natchez  in  his  church,  the 
more  refined  belonuino'  to  the  Pine  Street  church.     But 


1458  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

he  held  the  reigns  in  an  easy  hand.  He  was  circum- 
scribed in  his  sympathies — the  horizon  came  down 
around  the  humble  cabin  of  the  black  man.  His  in- 
fluence over  the  colored  people  was  almost  without  a 
limit. 

Augustus  Nators  is  a  man  ot  rare  common  sense. 
He  was  pastor  at  Ccirrollton  when  the  writer  had 
charge  of  Carrollton  Female  College.  He  was  pastor 
of  Bear  Marsh  church.  That  noted  colored  church  is 
in  the  eastern  suburbs  of  South  Corrollton.  Nators  Is 
a  lean  built  man,  and  has  an  intelligent  eye.  He  is  a 
clean  man,  and  a  logical  thinker.  He  does  not  suffer 
himself  mastered  by  his  emotions,  nor  permit  boister- 
ousness  in  his  congregations.  He  is  a  power  for  good 
in  Carroll  and  Grenada  counties. 

We  might  go  on  to  speak  of  H.  P.Jacobs,  G.  W. 
Gayles,  J.  F.  Boulden  and  others,  but  we  are  not  writ- 
ing extensive^  on  the  Colored  Baptists  of  Mississippi. 
Their  history  is  written,  written  well  and  in  full  by 
Patrick  PI.  Thompson.  What  is  written  here  is  only 
for  general  information  to  those  who  cannot  read  his 
book,  and  to  throw  historical  light  on  the  condition  of 
our  "  brother  in  black"  in  our  midst. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  14-59 


MISSISSIPPI   BAPTIST   STATE  COXVEXTION. 

ITS    CrKKP:NT    KVEXTS. — ITS  MISSION    AN'D    Sl'NDA V-SCHOOI, 

WORK. 

By  referring  to  the  history  ot"  the  first  Baptist  Con- 
vention in  the  State,  it  ma\'  l)e  seen  that  that  orii^ani- 
zation  dissolved  in  Oetober,  1829.  In  1835,  a  sugges- 
tion was  made  by  the  Hepzibah  church  of  the  Pearl 
River  Association  to  that  1)ody  in  session,  expressive 
of  the  expediency  of  forming  a  Baptist  State  Conven- 
tion to  be  composed  of  delegates  from  all  the  associa- 
tions in  the  State.  The  same  year,  the  Union  Associa- 
tion suggested  to  the  old  Mississippi  Association  the 
propriety  of  forming  a  State  Convention  for  the  pur- 
pose of  fostering  education  and  missions.  This  sugges- 
tion was  agreeable  and  acceptable  by  the  old  mother 
association.  At  that  time  the  Pearl 'River  Association 
met  in  September,  the  Union  about  the  first  of  Octo1)er, 
and  the  Mississippi  about  the  middle  of  October. 

It  becomes  evident  that  the  first  convention  had 
become  extinct  onlv  about  five  (5)  years  when  the 
agitation  began  as  to  forming  a  general  body,  and  that 
in  1835  the  thonglit  of  f  )rming  the  State  Convention 
prevailed  through  the  three  strong  associations  in  the 
State.  These  facts  go  far  to  show  that  the  sentiment 
in  favor  of  a  State  organization  had  not  died  out  since 
the  dissolution  of  the  first  convention. 

The  suggestions   made  by  the   Hepzil3ah   church  to 


1460 


HISTORY     OK     MlSSlSSIPri     BAPTISTS. 


the  IVarl  River  and  the  rnion  Association  to  the  Mis- 
vsissippi  were  rcspcotively  referred  to  the  ehurehes.  The 
lanioiis  resolutions  of  the  Mississippi  Association  were 
adopted  at  a  nieetin.L>-  c^f  tliat  l)o(ly  the  followinjj:  year. 
They  were  the  eftect  of  a  i^rowth  of  sentiment,  and  not 
a  first  cause.  As  these  resolutions  cire  deemed  so  highly 
historic,  and  as  tiiey  are  not  usually  copied  accurately, 
it  may  l)e  well  to  give  them  a  place  just  here  : 

"ii^eso/ref/,  That  this  Association  deem  it  imj^ortant 
that  the  Baptists  of  this  State  should  meet  in  conven- 
tion, to  tccke  into  consitleration  the  adoption  of  some 
systematic  plan  In'  which  the  efforts  of  our  denomi- 
nation may  be  united,  her  resources  drawn  out,  the 
gospel  preached  to  the  destitute,  religious  information 
disseminated,  and  other  olyects  of  importance  to  the 
advancement  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  l^e  considered. 

Resolved,  Tliat  we  recommend  a  meeting  of  dele- 
gates from  associations,  missionary  societies  and 
churches  ;  also,  of  individuals,  to  l^e  held  at  Washington, 
IVlississippi,  on  Frid^iy  before  the  fourth  Sunday  in  De- 
cember next,  to  consider  the  ])ropriet\'  of  forming  a 
State  Convention  of  our  denomination. 

Resolved,  That  l)rethren,  C.  Felder,  J.  B.  Smith,  H. 
D.  F.  Koljcrts,  S.  Coker,  and  J.  Young,  be  appointed  as 
delegates  from  this  Association  to  attend  the  al30ve- 
mentioned  meeting."' 

Ashley \'aughfin has  l)een  denominated  the  "Father 
of  the  Convention."  That  he  was  very  active  in  having 
the  enterprise  projected,  is  Ijeyond  question.  He 
was  editor  of  the  vSouthw-estern  Religious  Luminary, 
and  was  in  a  position  to  l)e  heard  in  the  projection  of 
the  new  undertaking.  In  an  editorial  in  his  pa])er, 
September,  lSo6,  three  montlis  Ijefore  the  constitution 
of  the   convention,  he  siiid  :    "A  convention  formed  on 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPI'I     I'.APTISTS.  14-61 

suitalile  principles,  and  haviiii::  in  view  suitable  objects, 
could  not  fail  to  have  a  most  salutarv  and  beneficial 
influence  on  the  interests  of  the  Baptist  denomination 
in  Mississippi.  Such  a  tiling-  is  eminenth'  needed  to 
combine  the  counsel,  concentrate  the  energies,  and  unite 
the  eftbrts  of  the  denomination.'" 

Though  Ashley  Vaughan  was  from  the  North,  he 
took  the  South  Carolina  anrl  (icorgia  conventions  as 
his  models  for  forming  a  Mississippi  Convention.  The 
convention,  according  to  his  view,  was  not  to  arrogate 
to  itself  any  authority  over  the  churches  or  associa- 
tions, or  to  attem|)t  to  control  the  faith  and  conscience 
of  individuals.  He  would  not  even  assert  what  objects 
should  claim  the  attention  of  the  convention.  There 
Avere  shades  of  difference  in  the  affairs  of  different  States 
that  should  be  regarded. 

Delegates    from   the    churches   met   in   the  Hajitist 
church  at  Washington  in  .\dams  county,  December  28, 
1S36,  "  in   pursuance   to    tlie  wishes    of  many    Baptist 
churches   and  indi\idu<'ds  of  this  State,  and  l)y  the  a])- 
pointmentof  the  Mississippi  Association.'"    The  follow- 
ing delegates  were  present  at  the  opening  of  their  delil)- 
erations  :  X.  R.  Granlx-rry  of  Palestine   church,    Hinds 
county:  .\shley  Vaughan  of  Clear  Creek  church,  Adams 
county;  R.  G.  Green   from  Lexington  church,  Leev  Com- 
pere,   S.  S.  Lattimore,    T.  S.  X.  King,    L.  B.  Holloway, 
from    Bethel  .Association.     The   number  was  increased 
on  Saturday  by  the  arrival  of  .\l)raham  Buckels   from 
Clear  Creek  church,  and  franklin   McGill   from  Fellow- 
*^hip   church,  Clail)orne   county.     There  was  a  total  of 
nine  delegates,  representing  four  churches  and  one  asso- 
ciation. 

R.  G.  Green  was  made  ch.iirman  of  the  temi)orary 
organization,  and  L.  B.  Holloway,  secretary.  Ashley 
Yaiighan  sid)mitted  the  followinu'  resolution  : 


1462  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

"Resolved,  That  we  deem  it  expedient  to  form  a 
convention  of  the.  Baptist  denomination  of  the  State 
of  Mississippi,  for  missionary  purposes,  and  other  ob- 
jects connected  with  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  on  earth 
— particularly  in  the  State  of  Mississippi." 

The  resolution  was  permitted  to  lie  over  until  the 
next  da^^,  when  it  was  adopted,  and  A.  Vaughan,  S.  S. 
Lattimore,  and  X.  K.  Cranberry,  were  appointed  to 
draft  a  constitution.  The  constitution  drafted  by  this 
committee  was  adopted,  and  is  virtually'  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  State  Convention  to-day. 

In  the  permanent  organization  Ashley  \'aughan 
was  made  president,  Stephen  Dodge,  recording  secre~ 
tary,  T.  S.  N.  King,  treasurer,  and  S.  S.  Lattimore,  cor- 
responding secretar3-.  The  body  had  six  vice  presidents 
in  the  following  orcier:  Charles  Felder,  N.  R.Granl^err^^, 
Benj.  Whitfield,  R.  G.  Green,  N.  Robertson,  Jr.,  Joseph 
Morris.  The  Board  of  Directors  was  composed  of 
thirt}'  members. 

In  the  February  number  of  his  jjajjer,  in  1836,  Ash- 
ley Vaughan  had  these  things  to  say  about  the  conven- 
tion :  "Such  an  organization  for  the  Baptist  denomina- 
tion in  this  State  was  loudly  called  for,  and  seemed 
almost  indispensable; '"  "our  denomination  have  a  con- 
vention formed  in  every  State  in  the  Union,  excepting 
two  or  three  ;  "  "  although  the  undertaking  may  be  re- 
garded as  small,  3'et  let  none  despise  the  day  of  small 
things,  for  to  every  undertaking,  and  to  every  enter- 
prise, there  must  be  a  beginning,  and  a  day  of  small 
things.  Even  the  kingdom  of  Christ  was  set  up  in  the 
world  amid  circumstances  of  obscurity  and  difficulty.' 

The  first  annual  meeting  of  the  convention  was 
held  wnth  the  Palestine  church.  Hinds  countj-.  Eleven 
(.hurches   w^ere  represented    and   two   female  societies. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1463 

Twelve  persons  became  members  of  the  convention  by 
paying  ten  dollars  each,  and  one  life  member  was  made 
by  paving  thirty  dollars.  George  Cranberry,  of  Geor- 
gia, and  William  J.  Harlee,  of  South  Carolina,  were 
present  as  visitors  to  the  body.  Committees  were  ap- 
pointed to  report  on  Education,  Publications,  Lord's 
Day,  Home  missions  and  Foreign  missions. 

Just  here  it  may  be  well  to  define  the  scope  of  this 
history.  The  history  of  Mississippi  College  and  other 
male  colleges.  Ministerial  Education,  female  education, 
the  Orphanage,  Sustentation,  Woman's  Work,  Our 
Journalism,  The  Baptist  State  Historical  Societv,  Our 
Colored  People,  the  Baptist  Young  People's  Union, 
have  each  been  considered  under  a  separate  and  distinct 
head.  They  shall  not,  therefore,  be  considered  in  this 
history,  except  when  they  are  connected  with  the  cur- 
rent events  of  the  convention.  The  design  of  this  chap- 
ter is  to  consider  the  trend  of  affairs  in  the  convention 
work,  the  missionary  endeavors  of  the  body,  and  the 
notice  received  by  the  Sunday  Schools.  The  other  in- 
terests have  been  eliminated,  as  seen  above. 

The  committee  on  Home  missions  was  composed  of 
S.  S.  Lattimore,  X.  R.  Granberry.  and  J.  S.  Walthall. 
The  committee  on  Foreign  missions  was  \.  Vaughan, 
William  Denson  and  B.  F.  McGill.  The  committee  on 
Home  missions  recommended  that  the  ministers  preach 
to  the  colored  people,  observing  the  law  of  the  State 
requiring  three  slave  holders  to  be  present,  and  that 
the  preachers  "  perform  as  much  missionary  labor  as 
possible  within  the  bounds  of  this  State."  The  com- 
mittee on  Foreign  missions  recommended  that  the 
churches  observe  the  first  Monday  evening  in  each 
month  in  prayer  to  God  for  the  spread  of  the  gospel 
throughout    the  world."     There  was    an    established 


1464-  HISTORY    uF    Mississippi    paptists. 

Home  Alissionary  Society  in  the  Mississippi  Associa- 
tion before  the  or<4'anization  of  the  convention;  and  one 
that  existed  in  the  Pearl  Ri\er  Association,  and  one 
had  just  been  tbrmed  in  the  Union  Association.  The 
sum  ot"$98S.22  was  received  for  ijeneral  ])uri)oses. 

In  the  second  annual  meetini;-  of  the  convention  the 
folio win,!^-  missionary'  societies  were  represented:  Domes- 
tic Mission  Society  of  Choctaw  Association,  Auxiliary 
Society  of  Covin^^'ton  county,  Alississippi  Baptist  Mis- 
sionary Society,  Brandon  I'emale  Alissionary  Society, 
Mild  the  North  Mississi])pi  Home  Alissionary  Society. 
The  ])leasint4"  fact  thus  a])i)cars"that  the  Baptist  women 
of  our  State  were  alive  to  missionaiw  work.-  There 
were  county  missionary  organizations,  a  missionary 
organization  lor  the  northern  jjart  of  the  State,  and  a 
Mississii)pi  Alissionary  Society. 

Some  complaint  could  be  heard  as  to  the  course 
pursued  by  the  American  Ba]jtist  Home  Alissionary 
Society.  The  Society  had  been  entreated  to  send  mis- 
sionaries into  this  pnrt  of  the  country,  but  the  Societ^^ 
Avas  not  extendiiii^"  aid  to  the  Southwest,  while  they 
Avere  doin^'  |much  work  in  other  parts  of  the  United 
Sttites.  JThe  Southwestern  Alissionary  Society  \vas, 
therefore,  cordially  a])])roved,  should  the  effort  to  es- 
tablish it  succeed.  It  was  ariiued  that  the  South  tind 
the  Southwest  had  the  ])re])ared  ministry  and  the 
means  to  carry  on  the  \v()rk,  and  the  opinion  expressed 
that  if  duly  orsj;"anized  for  work  thcw  could  do  more 
than  was  being  done  in  the  United  States  by  the  Home 
Missionary  Society.  There  were  then  in  the  South  and 
Southwest  1 ,974- ordained  ministers,  and  8, ()9() churches 
Avith  an  aggregate  membershi])  (^f  25o,G4-S  ])ersons. 

It  was  deemed    essential  to  the  success  of  the  con- 
vention that  one  or  more  agents  should  be  kept  in_^the 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPI'I     BAPTISTS.  1465 

Held  in  the  interest  of  missions.  In  the  early  ])c'irt  ot 
the  sumni;-n- of  1,S3S,  R.  G.  Green  was  labocin^-  under 
the  Convention  Board  north  of  the  B\^  Blaek  river. 
In  other  parts  of  the  State  missionary  work  was  being 
jiTatuitonsly  done  by  ardent  ministers,  many  of  them, 
in  extensive  tonrs,  swam  swoHen  streams,  and  sub- 
mitteil  themselves  to  many  dangers  to  life  and  liml). 
The  monev  troubles  whieh  the  nation  was  dealing-  with 
at  the  time  l)ore  upon  the  l)enevolenees  of  the  eountry, 
and  formed  a  ])ara_ura])h  in  the  rejjort  of  the  Conven- 
tion Board. 

The  institution  of  the  Sal)bath  School  was  then  an 
infant  benevolence  as  the  B.  V.  P.  U.  is  to-day.  It  was 
difficult  to  get  literature  for  the  schools,  and  it  wiis 
thought  that  it  would  be  wise  to  establish  a  Sunday 
School  Repository  in  the  State.  In  iNHl),  it  was  a 
source  of  gratiheation  that  there  was  a  growing  inter- 
est in  Sunday  Schools  in  the  churches  of  the  State.  It 
was  said  that  in  the  Sunday-school  work,  "  We  want 
men  who  can  carry  a  great  load  all  day  up  hill. 

Again,  in  ls:U),  the  Southwestern  Baptist  Home 
Mission  Society  was  highly  commended  by  the  Conven- 
tion, and  co-(^pcration,  as  far  as  ]n"acticable,  with  the 
organization  was  reconimendcd.  It  is  clearly  seen  that 
the  State  Convention  had  very  little  fraternal  connec- 
tion with  the  Home  Mission  Society,  and  sm;dl  regard 
for  it  in  its  partial  operations.  Effort  was  made  to 
estafilish  a  relaticm  between  the  local  missionary  socie- 
ties in  the  State  and  thj  convention.!  Some  of  these 
societies  were  disinterested  in  State  evangelization  and 
were  wasting  their  means  on  local  work  of  little  inter- 
est. TheSouthwestern  Baptist  Missionary  Society  was 
to  meet  in  our  State  in  May,  1S4-0,  and  the  Board  \vas 
requested  to  get  on  easv  terms  and  in  close  relation 
to  th.at  societv. 


1466  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Ill  1S39,  a  book  repository  was  c'stal)lishc(l  in 
Natchez  by  Ashley  Vau.ij:lian,  which  had  been  highly 
serviceable.  X.  R.  Granberry  had  been  able  to  give  the 
Board  some  time,  and  was  serviceable  in  their  mission- 
ary work,  but  they  were  limited  in  their  means  l)y  the 
prevailing  monetary  stringency,  and  were  doing  little 
missionary  work. 

Ashle\-  \'anghan,  the  father  of  the  convention,  died 
March  29,  1839.  It  was  said  in  those  da3^s  that 
Yaughan  had  been  providentially  directed  to  Missis- 
sipjji,  and  it  was  said  that  early  in  our  history  "he 
had  been  chiefly  instrumental  in  the  formation  of  the 
convention."  He  was  a  man  of  distinction,  but  an 
invalid  when  he  came  to  our  State.  He  might  have 
found  tlicciirof  the  balmy  South  healing  and  propitious 
had  he  not  given  himself  to  a  taxing  of  his  vital  force 
that  was  too  severe,  (^ne  cannot  but  think  of  him  as  a 
man  of  the  t\pe  of  the  Prince  of  Orange  ;  a  man  in  feeble 
health,  of  remarkable  natural  gifts,  of  a  jjcrsistent  ear- 
nestness and  indomitable  courage.  What  a  blessing  is 
such  a  man  to  humanity.  While  time  shall  last,  the 
Avork  of  the  quiet  sick  man  will  endure  as  a  benediction 
handed  back  to  a  generation  of  men  and  women  who 
espouvse  the  faith  Avhich  he  ardently  loved. 

Some  of  the  strong  men  in  the  convention  in  ISI'O 
were:  Nathan  L.  Clark  from  Fellowshii^  church,  Kem- 
per comity;  Michael  Ross,  Mt.  Moriah  church,  Kemjier 
county;  W.H.Anderson,  Fellowship  church,  Jefferson 
county ;  N.  R.  Granberry,  Palestine  church ;  Xorvell 
Robertson,  Jr.,  Hepzibah  church,  Lawrence  county; 
S.  S.  Lattimore,  William  Minter,  John  Micou  and  Wil- 
liam M.  Farrar. 

The  convention  was  beginning  to  realize  the  vast 
destitution  in  its  limits,  and  to  put  forth  effort  to  con- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1467 

solidate  the  Missionar3'  Baptists  in  the  State  for  evan- 
gelization. There  were  many  missionary  organizations 
that  were  but  as  the  particles  of  sand  together,  of  like 
nature,  but  entirely  distinct  one  from  another.  There 
was  not  one  Baptist  church  in  Claiborne  county,  nor 
in  the  counties  of  Wayne  and  Tallahatchie.  Many  of 
the  new  towns  in  the  State  had  no  Baptist  houses  ot 
worship  in  them.  The  associations  in  the  State  were 
earnestly  requested  to  join  with  the  convention  in  its 
evangelistic  endeavors. 

John  Armstrong,  T.  S.X.King,  and  William  H.  Ander- 
son were  delegated  to  represent  the  convention  in  the 
Triennial  Convention  of  Baptists  in  the  United  States, 
which  was  to  meet  in  Baltimore,  in  April,  184-1.  All 
the  money  they  had  on  hand  for  Home  missions  was 
paid  to  the  treasurer  of  the  Southwestern  Home  Mis- 
sion Society. 

The  fact  was  lamented  that  the  churches  in  Natchez 
and  Jackson  were  still  small,  had  no  houses  of  worship 
and  could  not  build  without  help  from  abroad.  In 
October,  1839,  a  church  was  organized  in  \'icksburg, 
having  fift^-  communicants.  Assistance  was  rendered 
this  church  by  the  Board.  Another  cause  of  distress 
was  that  the  funds  they  received  was  in  bills  on  our 
State  banks,  which  were  depreciating  in  value.  The 
monetary'  SA-stem  of  our  State  was  scarcely  w^orth\'  of 
the  name,  and  still  the  financial  outlook  was  anything 
but  encouraging.  Benjamin  Whitfield  was  chairman 
of  the  Board,  and  T.  S.  N.  King,  recording  secretary. 

The  Board  of  Missions  had,  in  1841,  to  lament  the 
death  of  the  recording  secretary,  R.  M.  Prentice, 
"young,  intelligent  and  devout."  Far  awa}'  from  the 
scenes  of  his  3'outh,  hopeful  and  full  ot  promise,  he  w^as 
called  aw^av  from   his  important  work.     He  died  near 


14(>S  JIISTOKV     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

old  Antioch  church,  Warren  count_\-,  on  August  28, 
1840.  The  year  l)ctore  he  wrote  the  notice  of  the  death 
of  tlie  lanicntetl  Bradley  and  AlcOill.  Death  took  the 
pen  out  of  his  hand  and  ii,ave  it  to  BenjaminWhittield  to 
record  his  own  departure.  James  Thi_L>]K'n,  Jr.,  in  the 
same  month  of  that  year  went  to  his  iinal  reward,  and 
Dr.  Davis  Collins,  the  seer  of  the  hosts,  was  divested  of 
his  earthly  confinement. 

X.  K.CTranberry  had,  (lurin_!.i  the  \ear,  done  yeoman 
service  for  the  Board.  In  fifty  days  he  secured  in  cash 
and  good  sul:)scriptions  the  sum  of  $32().o6V4-.  The 
State  money  tiiey  had  on  hand  was  almost  without 
value.  The  hanks  that  issuetl  the  bills,  had  for  a  year 
been  inactive,  and  no  hope  cheered  them  of  a  better 
state  of  affairs  soon. 

About  this  time,  there  was  a  parting-  of  ways  with 
Baptists  in  many  of  our  associations.  The  missionary 
s])irit  was  becomiui^-  too  intense,  and  the  scope  of  ojjcr- 
ation  too  extended  for  some  of  extreme  conservative 
views.  They  took  their  hats,  find  walked  out  of  the 
associations.  This  fact  has  been  dwelt  upon  in  consid- 
erinii"  the  n()n-co-oi)erative  Baptists.  The  convention 
felt  impelled  to  enunciate  its  views  as  to  church  sov- 
ereignty, tlie  doctrine  of  free  grace,  Bil)le  societies,  and 
general  organization  for  the  diffusion  of  the  gospel. 
God's  sovereignty  and  man"s  moral  and  religious  re- 
s]jonsi1)ility  for  man  hax'e,  what  seems  to  some,  a  dis- 
mal swam]3  between  them,  and  they  stand  on  the  lirst 
and  turn  their  back  on  the  second. 

In  lS-4-1,  from  the  Ix-st  statistics  that  could  l)e  had, 
there  were  twel\-e  associations  in  the  State,  and  ISG 
churches  with  an  aggregate  meml)ershii)  of  7,836  souls, 
and  onl\-  109  ministers. 

In    1S42,    the    convention    aiipointcM     William    H. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1469 

Anderson  to  represent  it  in  the  General  Convention  of 
Western  Baptists  to  meet  in  June  of  next  \'ear.  No  re- 
forniaticni  is  the  produet  of  a  nio'nient.  We  notiee  the 
plueking-  of  an  apple  whieh  has  l)een  long  maturing 
from  blossom  to  ripeness.  In  1S4-5,  the  Alason  and 
Dixon's  line  assumed  a  religious  charaeter,  but  the 
coloring  was  in  process  from  centre  outward  for  years 
before  the  hue  was  distinct. 

In  tlie  convention  year  of  184'l-4-2,  the  Board  had 
in  its  employ  two  of  the  most  worthy  men  of  the  State. 
Elder  Norvell  Robertson,  Jr.,  the  splendid  teacher  who 
exchanged  the  ferrule  for  the  Damascus  blade,  was 
asked  to  act  mission^ir\'  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
State,  and  Moses  Crowson,the  veteran  pioneer  preach- 
er of  the  Choctaw  country,  was  missionary  in  the  coun- 
ties of  Carroll,  Choctaw,  Yalobusha,  and  Tallahatchie. 
Robertson  did  what  he  could  with  the  cares  of  his 
churches  on  liim.  Crowson  was  great  in  lal)ors  as 
usual.  William  Denson  labored  in  the  counties  of 
^Rankin,  Scott,  and  Attala;  A.  McKenzie  in  Lawrence, 
Pike,  Franklin,  and  Copiah;  and  Cader  Price  in  Smith, 
Jasper  and  Clark.  Yet  the  convention  was  called  by 
some  simply  an  organization  to  promote  the  cause  of 
education.  It  was  many  sided,  and  was  viewed  by 
them  on  only  one  side.  The  total  receipts  for  general 
purposes  that  year  amounted  to  $1,309.05. 

The  Board  experienced  great  difficulty  in  securing 
proper  men  to  occupy  missionary  fields.  The  churches 
would  not  release  the  efficent  men  when  the  Board  ap- 
pointed them  to  mission  work.  In  184-3,  S.  S.  Latti- 
more  and  T.  S.  N.  King  were  appointed  by  the  Board 
to  important  mission  fields,  but  their  churches  were  un- 
-willing  to  relea.se  them.  B.  L.  Barnes  did  them  some 
good   work.     He   visited   churches   in  the  Union,  Choc- 


1470  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

taw,  Coliiml)its,  Chickasaw,  Cold  Water,  Yalobusha, 
and  Zion  Associations,  where  he  "endeavored  to 
awaken  a  deeper  interest  "  in  missions. 

Let  us  run  our  glasses  over  the  home  held.  The 
Choctaw  Association  liad  very  little  missionary  ground. 
In  the  Columlius  Association  there  was  much  uncvdti- 
vated  territory.  The  Chickasaw  covered  a  great  area 
in  North  Mississippi,  in  some  parts  of  which  there  were 
hut  few  churches,  and  fewer  ministers.  The  Cold  Water 
was  spending  $500.00  on  assf)ciati()nal  missions,  cind 
was  sending  the  same  amount  to  Foreign  missions. 
The  Yalobusha  Association  needed  more  ministers. 
There  was  much  destitution  in  the  iDounds  of  the  Zion 
Association.  Attala  and  Holmes  counties  had  large 
destitution.  There  was  a  good  interest  in  Sunday 
schools,  but  great  difficulty-  was  experienced  in  secur- 
ing Sunday  school  books. 

In  184-4,  N.  N.  Wood  was  missionary  pastor  in 
A'icksburg.  The  Home  Mission  Society  was  assisting 
the  convention  in  his  sujjport.  He  saw  the  church 
greatly  increase  in  members,  and  was  much  encouraged. 
Effort  was  being  made  to  build  a  house  of  worship. 
N.  Robertson,  Jr.,  was  giving  half  his  time  to  the  Board 
in  South  Aiississippi,  Icdx) ring  principcdly  in  the  coun- 
ties of  Covington,  Jones,  Perry  and  Wfiyne.  H.  D.  F. 
Roberts  wasin  Southwest  Mississippi,  iind  D.  K.Camp- 
bell was  lalioring  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State. 

At  that  meeting  of  the  convention  there  was  a  gen- 
uine sensation.  Norvell  R.  Granl^erry,  one  of  their  best 
loved  ministers,  and  the  efficient  S.  S.  Parr  were  ap- 
pointed iis  agents  and  missionaries  of  the  Board,  Gran- 
berry  to  labor  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State  and 
Parr  in  the  northern.  The  Executive  Board  made  their 
appointment   to   the  convention   in  session.     The  two 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1471 

ministers  Ijeing  present  jjnlilicly  and  at  once  accepted 
the  ap])()intnient,  each  inakin<j-  a  feehng  address.  The 
convention  sung  "  Blest  ])e  the  tie  that  binds."  There 
was  a  genuine  old  fashioned  hand  shaking.  The  presi- 
dent of  the  convention,  its  officers  and  members, 
"brethren  and  sisters,''  all  gave  their  token  of  ap])roval 
of  the  appointments.  There  was  a  meeting  scene.  "God 
seemed  to  descend  and  dwell  with  all  his  loveliness  in 
our  midst,"  said  the  secretary.  Ah,  the  sweetness  of 
such  moments!  The  oil  on  Aarons  Ijcard  has  its  rich- 
ness of  jjcrfume  that  can  only  dimly  figurate  the  aroma 
in  the  soul  when  brethren  dwell  together  invuiity.  The 
sum  of  $593.37  was  at  once  subscribed  for  their  su]j- 
pf)rt. 

The  year  18-to  marks  the  beginning  of  an  era  in  our 
general  benevolence.  That  year  the  Southern  Baptist 
Convention  came  into  existence,  and  the  general  work 
of  the  State  Conventions  began  to  co-ordinate  their 
work  with  the  newbod}-.  (hir  State  Convention  raised 
a  committee  to  report  on  "Our  Relation  with  the 
North."  The  committee  cxprcs.sed  the  deep  regret  of 
the  State  Convention  that  the  painful  situation  had 
confronted  them,  and  that  extreme  views  of  non-slave- 
holders had  vitiated  the  mission  sentiment,  and  had 
broken  ties  long  since  formed  between  Baptists  of  the 
two  sections  of  our  common  country.  But  the  assur- 
ing belief  was  expressed  that  though  a  separation  had 
taken  place  between  Baptists  of  the  North  and  of  the 
South,  that  there  would  be  no  cause  of  lack  of  harmony 
of  doctrine  and  sentiment,  or  the  general  ecclesiastical 
principles  that  made  one  of  the  great  Baptist  family  in 
the  United  States.  It  was  resolved  to  dissolve  all  con- 
nection with  the  Triennial  Convention  and  the  Ameri- 
can  Baptist   Home   Mission  Society,  and  turn  the  cur- 


1472  III^^TORV     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

rent  ot  their  funds  into  the  treasury  of  the  Foreis^-n 
Board  at  Rieliinond,  \'a.,  and  of  the  Home  Board  at 
Marion,  Ala. 

At  that  time  M.  vS.  Shirk,  the  great  teaeher,  had 
im])ression  that  it  was  his  duty  to  go  as  a  missionary 
to  the  Indians,  and  J.  G.  Hall  and  X.  K.  Cranberry 
were  appointed  to  exaniine  him  as  to  his  (jualifieations 
and  suitableness  for  that  speeitie  work.  The  eommit- 
tee  w^is  pleased  with  the  result  of  the  exjimination 
oi  Shirk,  and  reeonnnended  that  he  be  sent  as  a  mis- 
sionary to  the  Indians  as  soon  as  the  funds  eould  l3e 
proeured  for  his  support.  It  wfis  agreed  to  urge  the 
elaims  of  Indian  missions  in  all  the  ehurehes,  and  en- 
deax'or  to  seeure  speeial  favor  for  this  eausc. 

Attaehed  to  the  report  put  before  theeonvention  on 
Foreign  mission  were  the  following  resolutions: 

''Resolved,  That  whereas,  the  providenee  of  God 
elearly  indieates  that  it  is  the  duty  of  Southern  Bap- 
tists to  make  speeial  effort  for  the  spread  of  the  gospel 
among  the  Indians  of  America  and  amongthe millions 
of  China,  therefore. 

Resolved,  Thiit  this  body  recommend  that  speeial 
effort  be  made  to  sustain  one  mission^iry  and  one  na- 
tive preacher  among  the  Indians  of  our  country."  An- 
other resolution  like  the  last  was  adopted  as  to  China, 
and  a  last  resolution  urging  the  pastors  to  make  every 
effort  to  enable  the  convention  to  carry  out  the  design 
of  these  resolutions." 

The  Treasurer's  report  in  1846  shows  $39.44-  re- 
ceived for  Home  missions;  $169.21,  for  Indian  mis- 
sions; $1SS.  13,  for  Foreign  "missions.  But  no  iinaneial 
statement  appro.ximated  to  amounts  paid  to  missions 
in  those  days.  Nearly  all  the  money  sent  to  Foreign 
missions  especially  was  sent  directly    by   the   donor   to 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  14-73 

James  B.  Taylor  at  Richmond,  Va.  The  assets  of  their 
book  depository  at  Vicksburg"  were  $4-06.71.  The  re- 
port, read  that  year  on  Foreign  missions,  was  presented 
b^'  Wilham  Carey  Crane. 

Wm.  Carey  Crane  was,  in  184-7,  missionary  pastor 
of  the  church  at  Vicksl^nrg,  and  Corresponding  Secre- 
tary of  the  General  Board.  E.  B.  Bullard  was  under 
the  Board  at  Grand  Gulf  and  Port  Giljson :  W.  H.  Tay- 
lor was  "stated  supply''  at  Jackson;  James  B.  Owen, 
was  at  Yazoo  Cit\- ;  John  Micou,  was  the  general  agent 
of  the  Board.  His  labors  were  numerous,  and  his 
travels  extensive.  He  found  a  growing  appreciation 
of  the  convention  and  its  work.  The  Choctaw  and 
Central  associations  were,  that  year,  for  the  first  time 
represented  in  the  convention  by  delegates  and  contri- 
tions. The  Central  was  organized  in  1845.  Micou 
collected  for  the  convention  work  $385.01,  and  for 
Indian  missions  $100.00.  The  sum  of  $3,399.85  was 
given  that  year  to  the  Domestic  Alission  Board. 

In  1848,  upon  full  investigation,  it  was  found  that 
the  State  Convention  had  sent  to  the  Southern  Baptist 
Triennial  convention  $10,000.00.  Fifty  delegates  were 
appointed  to  that  general  bod\',  which  was  to  meet  in 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  Ala}',  1849.  Another  southern 
interest  was  also  claiming  their  attention,  the  South- 
ern Baptist  Publication  Societ^^  A.  M.  Poindexter,  the 
secretary'  of  that  Society,  wtis  pi'csent,  find  addressed 
the  convention  in  that  interest.  The  Society  \vas 
located  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  where  it  had  a  depository 
of  books,  valued  at  three  or  four  thousand  dollars. 
The  constituency  of  the  convention  was  asked  to  sup- 
port the  Society. 

The  work  of  the  General  Board  was  in  even  tenor. 
Help   \vas   still   being  extended  to  Vicksburg,  Jackson, 


1474  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Yazoo  City,  and,  more  recently,  to  Grenada.  G.  G. 
Baggerly  and  John  Micou  were  iJ^eneral  ai^ents  giving 
one-half  of  the  year  each  to  the  Board.  They  gave,  in 
1848,  to  Indian  missions  $276.66,  and  to  Plome  mis- 
sions $96.50 ;  to  Foreign  missions  $516.47. 

In  1849,  the  body  was  growing  rich  in  strong  men, 
among- whom  were:  S.  S.  Lattimore,  John  Micou,  W. 
M.  P\'irrar,  S.  I.  Caldwell,  L.  B.  Hollo  way,  W.  Carey 
Crane,  I.  T.  Tichenor,  Wm.  Jordan  Denson,  E.  C.  Eager, 
Michael  Ross,  J.  B.  McLelland,  C.  S.  AIcLeod,  Norvell 
Robertson,  J.  B.  Stiteler,  and  others. 

The  convention  was  allowing  its  attention  ab- 
sorbed l)y  education  in  1850.  The}-  had  about  solved 
the  mooted  (juestion  of  a  male  college,  and  had  remote- 
ly connected  with  them  many  female  colleges  with  win- 
some ways.  The  educational  prospects  were  indeed 
flattering,  and  the  educational  institutions  were  meet- 
ing a  felt  want.  But  the  mission  work  is  of  first 
importance  to  a  general  bod\'  of  Christi^ms,  and  any 
general  religious  order  can  ill  afford  to  give  missions  a 
second  place  in  thought  and  attention. 

The  fourteenth  session  of  the  convention  was  held 
in  1850.  The  body  being  composed  of  delegates  from 
fortj'-five  Baptist  organizations.  Over  $3,000.00  had 
been  sent  to  the  convention  for  missions.  Joshua  T. 
Russell,  a  man  of  powerful  magnetism,  was  the  general 
agent  of  the  Board.  He  secured  subscriptions  for  con- 
A-ention  purposes  amounting  to  $1,141.13.  The  Jack- 
son church  debt  had  been  reduced  from  $3,000.00  to 
$400.00.  The  church  of  Canton  had  a  new  house  of 
Avorshi]),  and  the  church  at  Yazoo  CitA'  had  reduced  the 
debt  on  its  church  house  to  $150.00.  P.  P.  Bowen, 
missionary  on  the  Co^ist,  had  aided  in  the  constitution 
of  the   Biloxi  Association.     He  was  laboring-  under  the 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1475 

joint  appointment  of  the  Convention   Board    and  the 
"  Marion  Board." 

After  the  reading  of  the  re]3ort  on  Indian  missions 
in  1851,  I.  F.  Herrick,  an  appointee  as  a  missionary  to 
the  Indians,  being  present,  addressed  '  the  convention. 
He  stated  that  he  was  restrained  from  going  at  once 
to  his  work  l3y  the  lack  of  means.  Joshua  T.  Russell 
soon  had  the  convention  on  its  mettle,  and  secured 
pledges  to  be  paid  annually  for  life  to  sustain  Herrick 
on  his  field  of  labor,  some  pledging  $20.00  annually  ; 
some,  $10.00;  and  some  $5.00. 

The  Southern  Bible  Board  of  the  vSouthern  Baptist 
Convention  was  commended  l^y  the  convention.  The 
design  of  the  Board  was  to  furnish  Billies  in  all  lands  in 
the  language  of  the  people  of  a  country.  The  delegates 
to  the  convention  formed  a  l^il^le  society  which  was 
organized  by  the  election  of  J.T.  Russell,  president,  and 
Isham  Harrison,  Jr.,  secretary.  A  list  of  fiftv  male  life 
members  was  secured,  and  nine  females.  A  constitu- 
tion composed  of  nine  articles  was  adopted.  P.  S. 
Gayle,  agent  of  the  Board  was  commended,  and  recom- 
mended as  the  agent  of  that  Society. 

The  Treasurer's  report  in  1851  was  truly  gratify- 
ing. The  receipts  for  Home  missions  amounting  to 
$1,541.20;  for  Foreign  missions,  $486.43;  and,  for 
Indian  missions,  $8(3.43.  Small  amounts  were  given  to 
the  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  African  Mis- 
sions, and  Book  Depository. 

At  the  session  ot  I8r)2,  two  distinguished  men  were 
present.  Each  one  of  them  was  great  in  his  sphere. 
They  were  James  B.  Taylor,  and  J.  R.  Graves.  James 
B.  Ta^dor  was  a  man  accustomed  to  hard  work  and 
was  a  man  of  affairs.  He  was,  in  no  sense,  an  orator, 
but  everywhere  an   acceptable   speaker,   for  he  had  a 


1476  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

cause  to  re])resent,  and  was  thoroughh'  a  .u:ood  man. 
He  was  at  that  time  corresponding  secretary  of  the 
Foreign  Mission  Board  of  the  Soutliern  Bai)tist  Con- 
vention. J.  R.  Graves  was  then  of  Nashville,  Tenn. 
He  was  a  shrewd  debater,  and  a  born  orator.  He 
chained  men  to  him  for  three  and  four  hours,  when  he 
was  speaking,  and  they  heard  him  without  fatigue. 
But  he  was  a  failure  as  a  man  of  affairs. 

Our  convention  was  at  that  date  united  and  active. 
It  had  no  formulated  opposition  and  its  field  of  labor 
was  large  and  needy.  The  educational  work  was  in 
good  condition;  MississippiCollege  was  full  of  promise. 
The  convention  was  great  in  able,  pious,  consecrated 
men.  It  was  a  fine  body  in  appearance  and  fact.  Its 
constituency'  was  rapidly  increasing  in  wealth  and 
liberality,  and  was  yearW  becoming  better  informed  as 
to  the  needs  of  the  various  missionary  fields. 

The  Board  had  difficulty  as  usual  in  securing  a  gen- 
eral agent.  The  position  calls  for  hard  work.  The 
work  was  harder  then  than  now.  The  railroads  were 
few,  and  the  dirt  roads  were  rough,  and  sometimes 
nearly  impassable.  John  Micou  was  chosen  general 
agent,  but  on  account  of  declining  health,  he  was  forced 
to  resign.  H.  E.  Hemstead  w£is  missionary-  on  the 
Coast  under  the  joint  appointment  of  the  Convention 
Board,  and  the  Marion  Board. 

The  session  of  1853  was  held  in  Columbus,  then  the 
best  town  in  the  State.  Some  strong  and  wealthy  Bap- 
tists lived  there,  who  delighted  in  the  meetings  of  the 
'general  denominational  bodies.  The  convention  had  a 
full  list  of  subjects  for  discussion,  Indian  Missions,  Sab- 
bath Schools,  Domestic  Missions,  Foreign  Missions, 
Bible  Cause,  Education,  Colored  Population,  Agencies, 
Publications,  Finance  and  Nominations. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAP'^^ST's.  l-tTT 

Lee  Compere  had  his  ideas  as  to  Indian  missions. 
He  thought  the  government  should  extend  the  Indian 
Territory  and  coneentrate  the  tribes  and  remnants  of 
tribes  as  fast  as  possible.  He  considered  this  the  best 
way  of  civilizing"  and  evangelizing  them,  that  the\' could 
thus  be  made  better  citizens,  and  easier  christianized. 
He  put  these  thoughts  in  the  form  of  a  resolution,  and 
the  convention  adopted  it. 

E.  D.  Burns  was  jjastor  in  Jackson,  and  his  labors 
as  missionary  pastor  had  been  signally  blessed.  C.  S. 
McLeod  Avas  in  \'icksburg.  Joshua  T.  Russell  was  at 
Yazoo  City,  vigorous  and  eloquent.  B.  B.  Gibbs  was 
at  Natchez,  an  incul^us  to  the  cause.  J.  S.  Parker  was 
at  Holly  Springs,  and  \V.  E.  Shepperd  had  been  in  the 
saddle  in  I*erry,  and  the  adjacent  counties. 

In  liS54-,  the  convention  met  in  Hernando,  which 
was  a  good  town,  l)ut  too  near  the  northern  limit  of 
the  State  for  the  tedious  travel  of  that  day.  The  ^^ro- 
ceedings  of  the  convention  were  not  published,  but  onlj 
a  report  of  the  meeting.  The  reports  of  the  commit- 
tees were  not  printed.  It  was  a  time  of  dismay.  The 
yellow  fever  was  veiw  fatal  that  year,  and  our  State 
was  frightfully  afflicted  with  it. 

The  failure  of  the  Minutes  to  appear  left  the  Execu- 
tive Board  without  a  working  basis  through  the  year 
following.  It  \vas  said :  "This  has  done  us  much 
harm  Ijoth  as  a  Board  and  a  Convention.'"  M.  \V. 
Stambaugh  was  missionary  ])astorat  Vicksburg.  But, 
on  account  of  a  severe  s]3ell  of  typhoid  fever,  and  the 
lireaking  out  of  yellow  fever,  his  labors  were  cut  short. 
There  was  much  destitution  in  the  State,  but  the  most 
of  it  was  being  occupied  by  the  associations  through 
their  executive  committees. 

The  convention   uave  a  lomj  list  of  obituaries  that 


147S  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

year.  The  name  of  T.  AI.  Bond  of  Franklin  county  is 
in  the  list.  Mississippi  Baptists  are  much  indebted  to 
that  good  man  for  preserving  in  a  neat  form  the  Min- 
utes of  the  Mississippi  Association  to  1847.  He  died  of 
yellow  fever.  He  was  far  advanced  in  years,  and  had  a 
noble  record  behind  him,  and  a  beautiful  home  ahead. 
Norvell  Robertson,  Sr.,  also  died  that  year.  He  was  a 
man  of  sturd\'  virtues,  and  lived  a  life  of  great  useful- 
ness in  South  Mississippi.  Judge  C.  R.  Clifton  of  Jack- 
son also  died  of  yellow  fever  that  3'ear.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Mississippi  College  at 
the  time  of  his  death. 

The  convention  \vas  honored  with  the  presence  of 
A.  M.  Poindexter  in  1856.  He  was  a  man  with  a  con- 
suming zeal  for  missions.  He  was  at  the  convention 
representing  the  Foreign  Mission  Board  of  Richmond, 
Va,  It  is  said  that  he  made  "a  very  feeling  and  eifec- 
tive  appeal"  for  Foreign  missions.  The  sum  of  $466.00 
w^as  received  for  his  cause  in  cash  and  ])ledges.  Dr.  De 
Votie  of  Georgia  was  also  at  the  convention  in  the 
interest  of  Home  missions.  When  the  writer  was  a  pa.s- 
tor  in  Georgia,  he  knew  Dr.  De  Votie  well.  He  was  an 
affable  and  companionable  man,  and  possessed  of  much 
power  of  nature  and  grace. 

The  session  of  the  convention  of  1855  was  in  No- 
vember, and  of  1856  in  May.  This  gave  their  Board 
of  Missions  only  a  short  period  in  which  to  work,  and 
in  the  cold  and  wet  months  at  that.  Consequently 
little  could  be  expected  to  be  accomplished.  But  the 
services  of  B.  F.  Thomas  were  secured  as  general  agent. 
He  secured  in  the  short  time  he  had  nearly  $700.00  in 
cash  and  subscriptions  for  the  objects  of  the  conven- 
tion. The  indebtedness  of  the  Board  had  not  increased. 
J.  Humphreys  was  laboring  as  missionary  in   Carroll 


HISTORY     OF     MISvSISSTrPl     BAPTISTS  1479 

parish,  La.,  P.  P.  Bowen  was  still  at  work  on  the  sea 
coast.  Their  missionary  operations  were  successful  in 
the  counties  of  Bolivar,  Washington,  Green,  Jones,  and 
Jackson. 

Two  papers  were  recommended  b}-  the  committee 
on  Foreign  missions,  The  Home  and  Foreign  Journal 
and  The  Commission.  It  was  said,  "The  circulation 
of  these  periodicals,  wc  deem  important,  yea,  indispen- 
sable, to  the  promotion  of  the  cause  of  missions." 

In  1857,  Mat.  Lyon,  one  of  the  most  gifted  minis- 
ters of  the  State,  had  it  in  mind  to  write  a  history  of  Mis 
sissippi  Baptists.  So  have  many  others  at  one  time  or 
another;  none  of  them  succeeded.  In  that  3'ear  his  efforts 
were  nobly  seconded  bj^  Prof.  I.  N.  Urner,  president  of 
Mississippi  College.  The  Baptists  of  Mississippi  ai'e 
much  indebted  to  Prof.  Urner  for  preserving  and  plac- 
ing in  good  keeping  many  valuable  historical  docu- 
ments. Prof.  Urner,  in  1857,  presented  to  the  conven- 
tion the  following  resolutions : 

''Resolved,  That  we  hear  with  great  pleasure  of  the 
purpose  of  Brother  M.  Lyon  to  write  a  history  of  the 
Baptist  churches  of  Mississippi. 

Second,  That  all  Baptists,  or  others  friendly  to  this 
imdertaking,  be  requested  to  forward  to  Rev.  M.  Lyon, 
at  Brooks ville,  Noxubee  county,  Miss.,  Minutes  of  as- 
sociations and  conventions,  catalogues  of  Baptist  Col- 
leges and  school  enterprises,  and  all  other  documents 
bearing  on  the  subject." 

The  convention  had  that  year  to  lament  the  death 
of  Dr.  William  T.  Balfour.  Dr.  Balfour,  while  carrying 
a  physician's  title,  was  not  a  practitioner,  but  in  fact  a 
planter  of  great  wealth.  His  home  was  in  Madison 
county,  near  old  Vernon.  His  farming  interests  w^ere 
verv  extensive,  and  his  slaves  numerous.   But  he  did  not 


14-SO  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

in  his  prosperity  forget  the  elaims  his  God  had  upon 
him,  but  Hlierally  supported  not  only  his  local  church, 
but  the  general  causes  of  benevolence.  "He  was  a 
large-hearted  Christian, dispensing  a  princely  hospitality 
at  his  home,  and  giving  li])erally  ol  his  substance  for 
the  grccit  objects  of  benevolence."  So  wrote  W.  Carey 
Crane  about  the  time  of  his  death.  Dr.  Balfour  was 
treasurer  of  the  convention  for  ci  numljcr  of  years  prior 
to  1846.  After  that  date,  he  was  a  vice-president  of 
the  Domestic  Alission  Board  of  the  Southern  Baptist 
Convention  and  president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 
of  Mississippi  College.  Dr.  Balfour  died  May  8,1857, 
in  Vickslnirg,  with  his  children  aliout  him.  and  with  a 
faith  in  God  serene. 

The  session  of  1858  was  held  in  the  town  of  Liloerty, 
Amite  county.  The  meeting  was  in  the  extreme  south- 
ern part  of  the  State,  and  far  in  the  interior.  The  dis- 
tinguished visitors  were:  Al.  T.  Sunmcr,  correspond- 
ing secretary  of  the  Home  Board  at  Marion,  Ala.,  and 
W.  Duncan  of  New  Orleans.  Reports  were  placed 
before  the  convention  on  Domestic  Alissions,  Bible 
Cause,  rublications,  Ministerial  Education,  Colored 
Population,  Indian  Missions,  Sabbath  Schools,  and 
Foreign  Alissions. 

In  1858,  there  was  a  great  religious  tiwakening  in 
our  country.  The  sacred  wave  passed  over  our  State, 
leaving  untold  blessings.  Great  revivals  of  religion 
were  experienced,  and  marked  progress  in  Christian  liv- 
ing observed.  The  angel  of  blessing  came  before  the 
sword  was  unsheathed  to  1)e  bathed  in  l:)lood  in  a  fra- 
tricidal strife. 

Little  missionary  work  Avas  l)eing  done  l\v  the  con- 
vention. The  strong  men  of  the  l)ody  were  absorbed  in 
their  educational   interests.     D.  S.  Snodur^iss  was  still 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1481 

at  X'icksburg",  and  mcetin^^"  with  some  encouragements. 
It  was  said,  "In  the  river  counties,  and  those  contig- 
uous to  that,  great  destitution  prevails ;  and  yet,  these 
are  distined  to  l)ecome  the  most  important  comities  in 
the  State,  owing  to  the  great  tertiHty  of  the  soil." 

The  (|uestion  of  securing  acceptable  Sunday  school 
literature  was  a  perplexing  one  in  those  days.  Thev 
had  little  Ijooks  in  board  cover  whicli  had  ([uestions 
about  some  bil3le  fact  or  truth.  It  was  difficult  to  ol)- 
tain  even  these,  of  a  denominational  character. 

In  185S,  a  committee  was  ap])ointed  to  communi- 
cate with  the  General  Association  of  Regular  Baptists  of 
Southeastern  Mississippi  to  ascertain  their  spirit  to- 
ward the  convention.  Theeommittee  reported  in  1859, 
that  they  found  in  the  General  Association  a  choice 
spirit,  a  spirit  of  fraternity  and  co-operation,  and  they 
Avere  bv  no  means  opposed  to  the  objects  of  the  conven- 
tion; but,  on  the  contrary,  were  ready  to  co-operate 
with  the  convention  in  every  respect. 

The  discussion  of  the  report  on  Indian  missions  was 
of  an  unusual  chai-acter  in  1859.  AI.  T.  Sunnier  of  the 
Home  Board  led  the  discussion.  He  said  that,  in  In- 
dian missions,  the  need  was  men  and  not  money.  Dr. 
Teasdale  asked  E.  L.  Compere  to  speak  on  the  subject. 
With  much  emotion  he  told  of  his  desire  to  ]3 reach  to 
the  Indians,  and  asked  the  convention  to  j^ray  that  the 
great  guiding  hand  might  lead  him  in  the  right  way.  G. 
L.  Jenkins  was  also  asked  to  speak,  and  modestly  I'c- 
sponded  in  ^i  similar  speech  to  the  one  made  by  Coni- 
l)ere.  C.  H.  Alartin  expressed  also  his  deep  sympcithj 
with  the  Indian  mission.  The  three  young  men  stood 
before  the  stand,  and  with  tears  on  their  cheeks  and 
prayers  in  their  hearts,  the  members  of  the  convention 
gave  them  the  hand  of  approval,  in  great  joj.     It  was 


14S2  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

said  that  the  "two  hours  spent  on  the  Indian  mission 
report  "  seemed  only  a  few  minutes.  One  said  :  "  It  is 
good  to  be  here  ;  "  another  said  :  "The  Lord  was  here, 
and  we  knew  it  not." 

The  convention  of  1860  was  not  of  like  tone.  It 
was  a  meeting  of  little  profit.  Denominational  issues 
Avere  protruding  themselves  into  the  business  of  the 
body.  In  the  heat  of  a  discussion,  Dr.  T.  C.  Teasdale 
prayed  for  the  peace  of  our  Zion,  with  a  bias  to  one 
side  of  the  mooted  question  manifest  in  his  prayer;  and 
when  he  had  concluded  his  prayer,  some  one  moved 
that  one  be  appointed  by  the  chair  to  answer  Dr.  Teas- 
dale's  prayer.  The  display  of  feeling,  and  the  warmth 
of  debate  were  unusual,  and  the  point  of  disagreement 
not  at  all  connected  with  the  workings  ot  the  conven- 
tion. Our  convention  has  not  been  at  its  best  in  any 
of  its  meetings  in  Natchez,  and  yet  no  place  in  our 
State  needs  its  benign  influence  more. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Convention  Board  of  the 
year  1860-61  was  held  on  board  of  a  steatnboat  be- 
tween Natchez  and  Vicksburg.  A  resolution  w^as 
adopted  to  continue  their  work  in  Vicksburg  ard  Ya- 
zoo City,  if  suitable  men  could  be  found  to  do  the  pas- 
toral work.  The}'  also  decided  to  aid  destitute  fields  in 
the  counties  of  Claiborne,  Jefferson,  and  Franklin.  W. 
W.  Keep  went  to  Yazoo  City  in  January,  1861.  The 
Gulf  Coast  and  the  Yazoo  \a\\ey  were  to  receive  such 
attention  as  could  be  given  them.  In  the  sjiring  ot 
1861,  the  Board  had  on  hand  only  about  $600.00,  and 
had  no  agent  in  the  field  to  collect  funds.  It  appears 
that  they  were  giving  their  missionary  work  little  at- 
tention, and  small  support. 

In  1861 ,  a  report  was  received  on  "  The  State  of  the 
Countrv."'    The  doctrine  of  State  Soveremntv  was  em 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISl  s.  14-83 

phasizecl,  and  fanaticism  all  located  north  of  the  Mason 
and  Dixon's  hne.  A  resolution  was  subjoined  to  the 
report  of  an  appologetic  nature.  It  was  in  this  lan- 
guage : 

"Resolved,  That  impartial  history  cannot  charge 
upon  the  South  the  dissolution  ot  the  Union.  She  was 
foremost  in  advocating  and  cementing  the  Union.  To 
that  Union  she  clung  through  long  years  of  calumny, 
injury,  and  insult.  She  has  never  ceased  to  raise  her 
w^arning  appeals  against  the  fanaticism  which  has  ol)- 
stinatelv   and   incessantly  warred  against  this  Union.' 

The  crisis  was  a  real  fact,  and  the  passing  of  resolu- 
tions did  not  affect  it.  All  the  engines  of  war  that  were 
in  our  land  were  called  into  requisition,  and  Foreign 
lands  called  upon  to  sell  their  muskets  and  mounted 
guns.  The  country  was  as  the  deep  sea  in  the  storm. 
Victories  were  contested,  and  dearly  bought.  The 
years  came  and  went  almost  undesignated  by  our 
people.  The  brave  sons  of  the  South  filled  the  graves 
of  soldiers.  Our  State  was  trodden  under  the  feet  of 
the  foe.  Our  gins  were  burned  ;  our  cribs  of  corn  used 
by  the  foe  without  compensations. 

When  the  war  was  over,  the  boys  in  gray  some 
maimed  for  life,  and  all  in  penury,  came  to  their  homes 
to  see  the  desolation  of  war  in  the  communities  in  which 
they  were  raised.  They  found  nothing  remaining  to 
them  but  the  warm  hearts  ot  Southern  womanhood, 
and  their  own  honor  and  courage.  To  begin  life  again 
in  a  desolated  country-  was  a  hard  fight  against  odds. 
It  surpassed  the  momentary  strife  of  the  sanguinary 
field. 

Slowly  did  our  country  recuperate.  Labor  was 
demoralized.  Freedman's  Bureau's  menaced  every 
farming  interest.     The  glittering  bayonet  shone  in  the 


14-S4  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     I5APTISTS. 

Southern  sunlight  long  after  the  clouds  of  war  had  dis. 
appeared.  Our  best  men  regained  citizenship  in  our 
common  country  slowly,  and  sometimes  with  the  great- 
est difficulty,  while  freedmen,  who  knew  nothing  of  the 
right  of  franchise,  stood  in  lines  a  hundred  yards  long- 
awaiting  their  turn  to  vote.  The  value  of  real  estate 
sunk  to  the  mud  line,  and  the  fruitlul  fields  grew  up  in 
sage. 

Our  Ijcnevolent  enterprises  felt  the  cold  vapored 
hand  of  war.  vSk)wly  they  arose  to  their  feet  like  one 
overrun  b\^  the  hurricane's  blast,  and  bruised  in  the  ter- 
ror of  the  storm. 

Not  until  1866,  did  our  convention  show  life  suffi- 
cient to  do  work  in  anvwise  worthy  of  notice,  and  then 
it  was  to  care  for  the  orphan's  of  Confederate  soldiers, 
who  slept  in  bloody  garments  in  unmarked  graves  in 
Virginia  or  Kentucky.  This  line  of  work  has  been  con- 
sidered in  another  cha]jter.  It  was  a  l^eautiful  charity, 
and  all  honor  to  our  Baptist  people,  especialh'  Meri- 
dian Baptists,  that  our  denomination  took  charge  of 
the  work. 

In  1866,  L.  Ball,  who  had  been  a  ColoneJ  in  the 
Confederate  army,  was  agent  in  Alississippi  for  the 
Domestic  Board  of  the  Southern  Convention.  He  was 
commended  b^-  the  convention  to  our  people,  and  Bap- 
tists were  called  upon  to  send  funds  to  that  Board. 
The  following  year,  the  Domestic  Board  had  eleven 
missionaries  laboring  in  our  State,  while  our  people 
had  contributed  uu\y  $1,100. 00  to  that  Board.  But 
to  press  them  was  like  ]mttingthcs])ur  to  the  exhausted 
horse. 

In  18()8,  many  of  the  associations  in  the  State  had 
gotten  their  mission  work  organized,  and  were  doing- 
some  effective  work.     It  is  su])iK)sed  that  they  were  ex- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  14-85 

pending  a  total  sum  of  five  or  six  thousand  dollars. 
The  Domestic  Board  was  aiding  the  churches  at  Vicks- 
burg,  Grenada,  Oxford,  and  Corinth.  AI.  P.  Lowrev, 
.who  had  been  a  General  in  the  Confederate  armv,  w^as 
the  evangelist  for  the  Domestic  Board  in  the  State  at 
large,  and  was  doing  fine  work.  He  was  generally 
known  anduniversalh-  respected.  Mississippi  Baptists 
gave  that  year  to  the  Domestic  Board  only  the  small 
sum  of  $853.75.  The  Domestic  Board  was  doing  a 
work  that  was  highly  appreciated,  and  it  was  heartilv 
commended. 

In  1869,  the  Orphanage  was  cozily  ensconced  in  the 
affection  of  our  people,  and  the  supporters  of  the  col- 
lege, being  men  of  influence  in  the  convention,  were  per- 
sistent in  their  representation  of  its  claims.  But  in  the 
convention  of  '69,  there  was  a  young  man  full  ot  energy 
and  hope,  a  son  ot  the  college,  who  w'as  to  cause  the 
hearts  of  Mississi]3])i  Baptists  to  warm  in  missionary 
work.  There  was  another  young  man  in  the  conven- 
tion from  the  northern  part  of  the  State,  a  son  of  the 
university,  who  was  to  ably  second  the  movements  of 
the  missionary  by  well  written  articles  in  his  religious 
newspaper.  Those  two  young  men  were  T.  J.  Walne. 
and  J.  B.  Gaml)rell.  In  1869,  the  sum  of  $826.35  was 
pledged  at  the  convention  for  Foreign  missions,  and 
$1,24-1.95  to  Home  missions. 

On  the  day  preceding  the  meeting  of  the  convention, 
a  Baptist  State  Sunday- School  Convention  was  held. 
It  was  well  and  largeh' represented.  J.  M.  Lewis  was 
made  president,  and  T.  J.  Deupree,  secretary.  The- 
questions  of  placing  a  Sunday'  school  agent  in  the  field, 
and  of  starting  an  organ  of  communication  between 
Mississippi  were  discussed.  AI.  P.  Lo\vre\'  was  to  read 
a  paper  on  the  "  Imjjortance   of  Sunday   Scliools"'   at 


14-86  HISTORY     OF     M.SSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

their  next  meeting.  W.  S.  Webb  considered  the  connec- 
tion between  the  Sunday  school  and  the  church."  This 
was  a  step  in  the  right  direction,  and  the  convention 
did  good. 

In  1870,  T.  J.  Wahie  was  pastor  in  Vicksburg.  He 
Avas  endeavoring  to  have  the  church  liouse  made  com- 
fortable. The  walls  of  the  building  had  holes  in  them 
made  by  cannon  balls  in  the  seige  of  Vicksburg.  He 
Avas  getting  aid  wherever  he  could.  He  told  his  pa- 
thetic story  to  the  convention,  and  received  a  collection 
for  that  object  amounting  to  $305.00. 

The  Board  at  Marion  still  held  AI.  P.Lowrey  in  the 
field  in  1870.  He  was  laboring  as  a  general  evangelist 
in  our  State.  The  Board  was  aiding  in  the  support  of 
J.  A.  Hackett,  at  Jackson;  T.  J.  Walne,  at  Vicksburg;  E. 
B.  Miller,  at  Holly  Springs;  R.  H.  Whitehead,  at  Ox- 
for,  and  A.  A.  Lomax,  at  Yazoo  City.  That  Board 
received  $2,106.79  from  Mississippi  that  year.  Nearly 
all  the  associations  had  missionaries  at  work  in  their 
limits.  The  Yalobusha  Association  had  two  mission- 
aries in  the  field,  J.  L.Jennings,  and  W.  L.  Coopwood. 
The  Tippah  had  two  evangelists  emplo^-ed,  L.  P.  Cos- 
sett,  and  M.  Ray.  The  convention  had  not  then  be- 
come a  focal  point  of  missionary  endeavor. 

In  1871,  T.  J.  Walne  read  the  report  on  Sunday- 
Schools.  It  was  pointed,  practical,  and  full  of  interest. 
In  the  report  it  was  argued  that  the  cause  of  the  ineffi- 
ciency of  our  Sunday  School  interest  was  that  the  work 
was  not  organized.  The  rei)ort  closed  with  six  recom- 
mendations :  The  appointment  of  a  Sunday  School 
Board,  which  was  to  co-operate  with  the  Southern 
Sunday  School  Bo£ird  ;  the  Board  was  to  be  located  at 
West  Point  being  composed  of  seven  members,  and 
sliould  have  power  to  enal^le  an  agent  to  collect  means, 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1487 

etc.  The  Board  was  to  make  a  full  report  to  the  con- 
vention. It  Avas  to  be  elected  annually  by  the  conven- 
tion. 

The  next  vear,  this  movement  was  spoken  of  in  a 
highly  complimentary  way  by  the  Committee  on  Sun- 
day- Schools.  It  was  recommended  that  the  Sunday 
School  Board  be  continued,  and  a  Sunday  School  Mis- 
sionary Secretary-  put  into  the  field  at  the  earliest  pos- 
sible moment.  The  Board  was  composed  of  Gambrell, 
Webb,  Cason,  Mason,  White,  Dalton,  and  T.J.  Deupree. 
C.  S.  McLeod  was  chosen  as  secretary,  and  his  work 
gave  signs  of  good  results,  but,  very  soon,, he  resigned, 
and  the  Board,  aiter  repeated  efforts,  failed  to  secure 
one  to  succeed  him  as  missionfirv  secretary. 

The  debt  on  the  college,  which  had  been  a  bvu'den 
on  the  hearts  of  the  best  men  of  the  convention  since 
the  Civil  War,  w£is  canceled  m  1S72.  This  clearance 
lightened  the  ship  materially.  The  Soldiers'  Orphan- 
age had  about  accomplished  its  purpose,  and  the  way 
was  lacing  cleared  for  more  efficient  missionary  work  by 
the  convention.  Men,  yet  in  the  buo^'ancy  of  youth, 
but  matured,  were  in  the  convention  ready  for  an  on- 
ward movement  in  our  journalism  and  in  our  mission 
work.  No  one  was  more  eager  for  this  eftort  than  Al. 
T.  Martin,  who  had  freed  the  college  from  debt,  and 
was  intenseh'  interested  in  Alississippi  College. 

The  first  of  August,  1872,  C.  E.  Brame  of  West 
Point,  became  missionar3-  secretary-  of  the  Sunday 
School  Board.  The  appointment  was  wise.  Brame 
w^as  a  consecrated  man,  thoroughly  aroused  as  to  the 
existing  need  of  the  work  he  was  chosen  to  do.  His 
work  was  to  arouse  pastors  and  churches  to  greater 
interest  in  this  cause ;  to  give  encouragement  to  exist- 
ing Sunday  schools ;  and  to  promote  the  organization 


l4SS  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIIMM     HAPTLSTS. 

of  new  Sunday  schools  where  there  were  none.  There 
were  many  obstacles  to  encounter,  but  none  more  diffi- 
cult to  rise  over  than  sheer  indifference. 

Brame  attended  the  meeting's  ot  eight  associations 
in  September  and  October.  Sunday  School  Conven- 
tions were  held  that  year  m  the  Central,  Cold  Water, 
Mississippi,  Yazoo,  Aberdeen  and  Oxford  Associations. 
The  secretary  traveled  over  the  counties  of  Holmes  and 
Lafa^'ette,  filling  appointments.  In  January  and  Feb- 
ruary, 1873,  he  was  in  South  Mississippi  visiting  Sun- 
day schools,  and  otherwise  engaged.  His  labors  were 
suspended  March  9,  1873,  on  account  of  the  shortness 
of  funds.     Brame  did  most  efficient  work. 

The  year  1873  was  the  beginning  of  an  epoch  in  our 
niissionar)'  "work  \vhich  lasted  to  1845.  This  epoch  is 
the  most  interesting  part  of  the  history-  of  our  mission 
work  in  the  convention.  In  it  we  see  the  gathering  and 
struggles  of  the  laborers,  the  increase  of  interest  in  the 
work,  and  the  final  formulation  of  the  cause. 

W.  H.  Hardy  came  before  the  convention,  as  the 
Minutes  express  it,  "to  represent  the  ^vishes  of  the 
General  Association  of  Southeast  Mississippi.''  He 
spoke  of  destitution  in  that  part  of  our  State,  and  then 
presented  preamble  and  resolutions.  It  was  stated  in 
the  preamble  that  the  General  Association  could  not 
supply  the  destitution  in  Southeast  Mississippi ;  and 
really  had  but  one  missionary  in  the  field,  wdiich  em- 
braced the  counties  of  Jones,  Green,  Harrison,  and 
Hancock,  and  populous  towns  on  the  sea  board.  The 
Board  of  the  convention  was  urged  to  send  missonaries 
to  Pascagoula,  or  Pass  Christian,  or  to  some  other 
point  on  the  L.  and  X.  Railroad  between  New  Orleans 
and  Mobile;  and,  if  possible  into  the  interior  to  aid 
John   Williams,  the   missionary  of  the  General  Associa- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1489 

tion.     The  denomination   in   the   State   was   urij^ed   to 
consider  the  importance  of  this  work. 

This  preamble  and  resolution  were  referred  to  the 
Committee  on  Domestic  Alissions.  Upon  resolution 
offered  b}'  T.  J.  Walne  the  committee  was  requested 
also  to  report  a  plan  "b\'  which  the  convention  may 
enter  more  vigoroush*  upon  the  \vork  of  State  Mis- 
sions." The  comrnittee  was  composed  of  T.  J.  Walne, 
Columbus  Smith,  W.  H.  Hardy,  J.  A.  Hackett  and  Eli- 
jah Stnith. 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  long,  but  was 
adopted  in  whole.  The  appalling  destitution  spoken  of 
in  the  statement  of  Capt.  Hard}-  was  deplored,  but  was 
not  all  of  our  destitution.  How  to  meet  our  obli- 
gations to  these  sections  of  our  State  was  the  question 
to  which  the  convention  should  address  itself  It  was 
recommended  that  the  convention  appoint  a  Board  on 
State  Missions,  that  this  Board  should  be  domiciled  at 
Hazlehurst,  and  when  organized  should  have  charge  of 
the  mission  work  in  the  bounds  of  the  convention.  The 
new  Board  was  to  have  a  corresponding  secretar^v,  who 
was  to  secure  close  and  hearty  co-operation  from  the 
churches  and  associations  in  our  bounds.  The  Board 
was  to  raise  funds,  emplo}'  missionaries,  and,  as  far  as 
possible,  supph'  the  destitution  in  the  State,  and  report 
to  the  convention  all  its  operations,  being  elected  cin- 
nually. 

This  is  a  plain  statement  of  the  beginning  of  this 
onward  movement  of  which  so  much  was  expected. 
Its  supporters  were  to  have  no  floweiw  bed  of  ease. 
The  proper  men  were  to  be  found  to  work  as  mission- 
aries, and  then  induced  to  undertake  the  work.  Oppo- 
sitions the  most  pronounced  were  to  be  met  and  over- 
come.    The  Board  was  composed  of  fifteen  members. 


1490  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS, 

The  first  six  njimes  on  it  Avere:  Hackett,  Lomax, 
Parish,  Pettigrew,  Wahie,  r.nd  Webl).  This  was,  in- 
deed, a  wise  selection. 

Steps  were  taken  at  once  to  induce  associations  to 
co-operate  with  the  State  Mission  Board.  During  the 
first  3'ear  of  its  existence,  some  of  the  associations, 
strong  in  numbers  and  resources,  were  induced  to  take 
steps  looking  to  co-operations.  This  was  a  work  to  be 
done,  and  it  was  a  hard  work.  In  man\' of  the  asso- 
ciations, the  strong  ministers  were  doing  some  mis- 
sionary work  in  a  small  way,  and  getting  pay  for  it 
out  of  their  associational  mission  fund.  Under  the  new 
plan  of  co-operatioii,  this  might  not  be.  The  fight- was 
to  be  made  at  these  high  knobs. 

The  appointment  of  an  efllicient  corresponding  secre- 
tary of  the  Board  was  felt  of  first  consequence.  This 
Avas  urged  upon  the  State  Board.  In  IS 74-,  a  commit- 
tee was  raised  to  recommend  a  man  to  fill  the  position. 
The  Committee  consisted  of  Webl),  Amaker  and  Yan- 
landingham.  After  some  deliberation,  and  calm  reflec- 
tion, they  suggested  T.  J.  Walneof  Vicksburg,  and  most 
hcartih^  commended  him  to  the  Board,  The  State  Mis- 
sion Board  had  really  previous  to  that  time  elected 
Walne  to  fill  the  position,  which  later  he  accepted,  and 
entered  upon  his  work. 

In  1875,  K.  A.  Masse\' was  commissioned  "  State 
Evangelist"  under  the  Board.  He  had  done  acceptable 
work.  J.  B.  Hamberlin  was  commissioned  July  1, 187-1, 
to  labor  on  the  sea  board  on  the  Mobile  and  New  Or- 
leans Railroad.  He  found  the  work  done  by  the  mis- 
sionaries 1)efore  the  war  almost  extinct.  J.  B.  Gam- 
brell  was,  b^-  the  supplement  of  his  salarN',  enabled  to 
give  his  whole  time  to  the  church  at  Oxford.  W.  C. 
P'riltn^  went  to  the  Deltci,   and   was  located   at  Green- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1491 

ville,  the  growing  and  prominent  town  in  that  section 
of  the  State.  The  missionaries  had  baptized  243  per- 
sons, organized  six  churches,  and  eight  Sunday  schools. 
The  corresponding  secretary  had  organized  and  con- 
ducted quite  a  number  of  Sunday  School  Institutes, 
and  thus  given  life  to  the  cause  in  man^-  parts  of  the 
State.  Yet,  it  w^as  said  in  sadness  that  there  were 
some  entire  associations  that  had  no  Sunday  schools. 
As  near  as  E.  D.  Miller  could  arrive  at  the  facts  in 
1875-76,  Mississippi  Baptists  gave  to  Foreign  missions 
$1,628.00.  The  sum  of  $574.68  was  subscribed  to 
Foreign  missions  at  the  convention  of  1876. 

The  State  Mission  Board  began  the  \'ear  1875-76 
with  a  debt  of  $600.00.  By  the  beginning  of  the  year 
1876  the  delDt  was  paid,  and  the  Board  ready  for  on- 
ward movements.  That  convention  year  eighty-one 
persons  had  been  baptized  by  the  missic^iaries,  and  one 
church  organized.  J.  C.  Foster  had  clone  missionary 
work  in  Bethlehem  Association,  W.  M.  Farr£ir  had 
preached  to  the  colored  people  in  the  Choctaw  Associa- 
tion, and  W.  E.  Tynes  in  South  Mississippi  Jind  East 
Louisiana.  The  Board  was  still  extending  some  aid  to 
the  church  of  Oxford,  and  J.  B.  Hamberlin  was  on  the 
Coast,  an  afflicted  and  lonely  missionary.  The  State 
Alission  Board  was  then  located  in  Jackson. 

The  Foreign  mission  work  of  1877  was  al30ut  equal 
to  the  work  done  the  previous  year.  But  the  State 
Mission  Board  received  that  yearthe  sum  of  $3,477,31. 
The  six  missionarijs  under  the  appointment  of  the 
Board  at  the  last  convcition  had  l^een  retained.  It 
was  hoped  that  the  work  of  the  Board  would  be  ex- 
tended, but  distress  came  from  an  unexpected  quarter. 
The  health  of  the  secretary  failed.  Months  passed,  and 
instead  of  improving  he  grew  worse,   and  finally  pre- 


l492  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS, 

sented  his  resignation  to  the  Board,  which  was  not  ac- 
cepted. The  receipts  fell  short,  and  on  the  first  of  Jan- 
uary, 1877,  the  Board  was  in  arrears  $1,500.00.  So 
the  work  was  in  a  condition  to  suffer  loss.  The  com- 
mission of  four  missionaries  had  to  be  withdrawn. 

On  the  first  of  April  the  secretar\'  was  sufficientlj 
recovered  to  enter  the  field.  He  had  $2,500.00  to  raise 
before  the  meeting  of  the  convention  in  order  to  meet 
the  indebtedness  of  the  Board.  He  collected  $1,1 60.95. 
J.  B.  Gambrell  was  at  Oxford,  and  T.  J.  Bailev  had 
been  in  the  Delta,  and  W.  C.  fynes  was  still  mission- 
ary in  South  Mississippi.  , 

Some  losses  the  convention  was  sustaining  deserve 
mention  just  here.  The  large  hearted  Hackett  had  left 
the  State.  In  those  da3'^s  he  was  exceeding'ly  popular, 
tie  w^as  especiall}'  the  friend  of  5^oung  ministers,  and 
gave  them  a  warm  place  in  his  heart.  He  was  the  first 
man  in  the  State  to  bestir  himself  in  the  matter  of  State 
missions,  and  was  the  first  president  of  the  old  State 
Mission  Board.  J.  W.  Sanford,  young  and  eloquent, 
departed  this  life  January  11,  1877.  The  veteran  mis- 
sionary^, Whitfield  Dupuy,  had  gone  to  his  reward.  He 
gave  in  his  prime,  sinew  to  the  Cold  Water  Association 
by  his  successful  missionary  labors. 

In  the  summer  of  1877,  the  Board  was  again 
moved.  It  was  placed  in  Oxford.  In  the  faculty  of  the 
university  were  two  learned  Baptists  of  large  denomi- 
national views,  and  in  the  town  were  quite  a  number 
of  efficient  men  in  mercantile  pursuits.  It  was  thought 
a  good  place  for  the  infant  benevolence.  At  the  first 
meeting  of  the  body,  it  was  found  that  there  was  a  debt 
asfainst  the  Board  of  $1,377.36.  But  that  year  we 
realized  by  collections  $4,430.93,  which  enabled  the 
Board  to  pay  its  employees  and  to  pa\'  its  debts. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAP'^TST'^.  1493 

T.  L.  Talljert  was  missionary  at  Coffeeville;  R.  A. 
Cohron  at  Winona,  E.  A.  Ta^'lor  at  Greenville;  T.  J. 
Bailey,  then  a  colletje  student  labored  three  months  in 
the  Yazoo  River  Mission;  and  Hamheidin  and  T.  J. 
Rowan  were  on  the  Coast. 

In  the  report  on  Sunday  Sehools  special  notice  was 
taken  of  the  fact  that  a  State  Sunday'  School  Conven- 
tion had  a  short  time  before  been  organized.  The  State 
organizations  always  show  a  healthy  sentiment  in  the 
support  of  the  Sunday  School  work. 

The  session  of  1879  was  not  held  until  November 
27th.  In  the  fall  of  "78,  the  yellow  fever  decimated 
many  parts  of  our  State.  It  appeared  again  in  "79  in 
AIeni])his  and  New  Orleans,  ^vhich  caused  the  late  meet- 
ing of  the  convention  that  A'ear,  and  affected  the  con- 
tributions to  all  our  benevolences. 

Dr.  H.  A.  Tupper,  then  corresponding  secretary  of 
the  Foreign  Mission  Board  at  Richmond,  Va.,  was  at 
the  convention,  and  was  much  enjoyed.  The  contribu- 
tions to  Foreign  missions  reported  by  our  agent,  E.  D. 
Aliller,  showed  an  increase  of  interest  inthat  benevo- 
lence. The  sum  of  $1,141.83  was  pledged  at  the  con- 
vention to  be  paid  before  May,  1880. 

During  the  year  the  State  Mission  Board  had  four- 
teen missionaries  commissioned.  The  collections  of  the 
year  amounted  to  $3,558.42y2,  while  the  expenses 
"footed  at  $3,344.00,  which  left  a  balance  on  hand  of 
$214.42V2.  This  was  a  good  showing  in  a  3'ear  when 
dismay  and  death  were  abroad  in  the  land.  The  new 
wH:)rk  undertaken  by  the  Board  was  in  the  City  of  New 
Orleans.  The  churches  in  Louisana  east  of  the  Missis- 
sippi river  were  then  in  our  convention,  and  work  was 
undertaken  in  New  Orleans  with  a  zest.  M.  C.  Cole 
was  the  missionarv  of  the  Board  in  that  great  citv.     A 


1494  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

new  work  was  begun  in  Kosciusko,  and  W.  C.  Latti- 
niore  was  commissioned  to  Uibor  with  the  church  as 
missionary'  pastor.  J.  K.  Fant  of  South  Carolina,  was 
missionar3'  in  Sardis  ;  H.  L.  Finle^-  and  D.  I.  Purser, 
Avere  evangelists  under  the  board. 

The  report  on  Foreign  missions  in  1880,  was  sub- 
mitted by  Dr.  B.  H.  Whitfield,  then  State  Secretary  of 
Foreign  missions.  The  report  showed  that  our  people 
had  taken  an  advance  step  in  the  Foreign  work.  The 
collection  amounted  to  $3,506.52.  But  Whitfield  is  not 
to  receive  all  the  credit  for  this.  Miller's  report  the 
A'ear  before  showed  a  healthy  condition  of  this  inter- 
est, and  Dr.  Tupper,  at  the  convention,  got  a  good  sub- 
scription of  over  $1,000.00.  But  much  praise  is  due 
Dr.  Whitfield.  Miller  asked  the  question:  "Can  we  not 
make  it  $3,000.00  ?  "  It  was  made  more  than  $500.00 
greater  than  that  amount,  and  about  $1,000.00  more 
than  the  Foreign  Board  asked  of  Mississippi. 

The  State  Mission  Board  had  under  its  appoint- 
ment in  1880  about  twent^^-five  missionaries.  They 
had  baptized  300  people,  and  organized  five  churches, 
and  occupied  fifty  stations.  The  annual  collections 
amounted  to  $6,407.61.  There  was  nearly  double  the 
amount  collected  the  previous  year. 

The  Board  suggested  to  the  convention  the  pro- 
prietv  of  emplo\'ing  a  State  Sunday  School  Missionary-. 
The  American  Baptist  Publication  Society  with  their 
usual  generousness,  had  proposed  to  aid  in  paying  the 
salarv  of  such  a  missionary.  Two  questions  Avere 
raised,  should  the  missionary  be emploA'ed  Ijy  the  Board, 
or  by  another  new  Board;  and,  should  aid  be  received 
from  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Societ^^  This 
would  be  new  work,  and  the  Board  wished  direction  in 
the  matter. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1495 

In  1881,  Airs.  Janie  L.  Sanford,  daughter  of  Gen. 
M.  P.  Lowrev,  had  been  appointed  as  missionary'  to  the 
Chinese  in  California,  and  was  in  readiness  to  go  Avhen 
the  Foreign  Board  hod  the  necessary  funds.  The  con- 
vention i-ecommended  to  the  Foreign  Board  that  Airs. 
Sanford  be  sent  to  CaHfornia  'immediately,  and  stated 
that  the  denomination  in  Mississippi  was  pledged  for 
her  support. 

Because  of  a  change  in  the  time  in  the  ^^ear  for  the 
meeting  of  the  convention — from  July  to  November — 
the  report  of  the  State  Mission  Board  reported  its 
operations  from  July  1,  1880,  to  October  1^  1881.  The 
year  was  very  unfavorable  to  the  work.  The  winter 
was  long  and  extremely  cold,  and  a  blighting  drouth 
came  in  the  summer,  but  the  Board  was  able  to  meet 
its  obligations.  Thirt\'-five  missionaries  and  evange- 
lists were  in  the  employ  of  the  Board.  Our  receipts  for 
the  3'ear  were  $11,945.17.  Three  missionaries  had 
been  laboring  in  the  Delta,  E.  C.  Gates,  E.  E.  Smith, 
and  J.  C.  Gadd.  Lewis  Ball  was  to  go  into  that  dis- 
trict Januar\'  1,  1882,  as  general  evangelist. 

The  appointment  of  a  State  Sunday  School  Mis- 
sionary- was  a  disappointment..    T.  A.  Moore   was  ap. 
pointed  to  fill  the  position,  and  entered  upon  his  work, 
but   soon   resigned   to   become  president   of   Aleridian 
Female  College. 

In  1881,  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society 
proposed  to  donate  $1,000.00  worth  of  books  to  the 
State  Mission  Board,  provided  ten  colporters  should 
be  emplo\'ed  to  sell  their  literature.  Their  proposition 
was  accepted,  and  the  colportage  work  begun  upon  the 
instructions  of  the  convention. 

Another  change  was  made  in  the  time  of  the  meet- 
ing of  the  State  Convention  in  1882.     It  was  changed 


1496  HISTOKY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

to  Jnh'.  The  interim  l^etween  the  meetini^s  of  the  bod^v, 
therefore,  was  from  the  middle  of  November  of  one  vear 
to  July,  18S2.  It  was  a  short  year,  and  interferred 
with  the  mission  work  seriously. 

In  1882,  the  State  Alission  Board  had  in  its  em- 
jjloy  forty  missionaries..  Thereeeiptsof  the  Board  from 
November  1,  1881,  to  July  1,  1882,  were  $7,534..78. 
In  addition  to  this  amount  about  $6,000.00  had  been 
raised  ]3\'  the  missionaries  for  home  uses.  Nine  col]Jor- 
ters  were  appointed  by  the  Board,  six  of  whom  did  ser- 
vice. The  list  was  to  be  filled  as  soon  as  suitable  men 
could  be  hiid  to  enter  the  work. 

There  was  a  general  restlessness  in  1883,  as  to  the 
sj^stem  under  which  the  convention  was  working. 
Unification  of  our  JDenevolences  was  thought  desircable. 
The  work  of  the  convention  was  divided  into  a  numl)er 
of  units  not  related  to  each  other.  It  was  thought  best 
to  have  one  general  Board  which  should  have  the  over- 
sight of  all  the  objects  fostered  l)y  the  convention.  The 
State  Alission  Board  seemed  in  unrest.  It  recommends 
that  one  general  secretary  be  appointed  to  have  the 
supervision  of  the  entire  work  ;  and  that  one  agent  or 
co-operative  secretary  be  appointed  in  each  association 
who  should  look  to  the  contributions  of  the  local 
churches. 

More,  the  State  Mission  Board  had  resolutions 
before  the  Committee  on  Nominations.  The  su1)st£ince 
of  these  resolutions  was  that  the  secretary  and  the 
Board  should  be  m  the  same  place,  and  that  it  might 
be  to  the  good  of  the  State  work  to  move  the  Board  to 
some  other  place.  Thev  seemed  willing  to  prefer  others 
to  themselves,  if  good  could  come  of  it. 

J.  B.Gambrell  offered  a  resolution  to  the  convention, 
which  met  with  favor,  to  the  efiect  that  a  committee  of 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1497 

fifteen  be  appointed  1)y  the  chair  to  consider  the  feasi- 
bihty  of  more  perfect  organization  of  our  benevolences. 
He  was  made  chairman  of  that  committee.  At  the 
proper  time  the  committee  reported.  Its  report  was 
long.  It  was  in  eleven  divisions.  It  was  discussed. 
The  consideration  of  its  propositions  was  indefinitely 
postponed.  It  was  in  line  with  the  recomendation  of 
the  State  Mission  Board  given  above.  Such  reforma- 
tions may  suffer  a  downfall,  but  will  not  stay  down. 
On  Saturday  afternoon  J.  T.  Zealy  made  a  motion  that 
the  vote  of  the  convention  to  indefinitely  pospone  the 
report  of  the  committee  of  fifteen  be  reconsidered,  and 
the  report  referred  to  a  committee  of  seven  to  report  at 
the  next  session  of  the  l)ody.  The  motion  was  sus- 
tained. 

The  secretary  of  the  Board  was  instructed  to  give 
special  attention  to  agencies  for  promoting  mission 
interests  in  the  local  churches,  and  the  Board  was 
authorized  to  em])loy  an  assistant  secretary,  if  neces- 
sary. While  this  eftbrt  was  l^eing  made  to  increase  the 
duties  of  the  secretary,  he  was  trying  to  resign  his 
position  on  the  plea  that  he  was  Ijroken  down,  and  not 
physicalh'  al^le  to  do  the  work  that  was  pressing  upon 
him.     He  was  retained  in  office. 

While  this  intricate  work  was  Ijcing  considered  a 
bit  of  pleasantry  refreshed  the  convention.  W.  H. 
Crumpton  from  the  Alabama  Convention  then  in  ses- 
sion at  Marion  sent  the  Mississippi  Convention  this 
telegram:  "  Raised  $1,800.00  for  Ministerial  Educa- 
tion. Sa3'  to  Gambrell,  Cyere///;2f/,  did  it.''  The  repl_v 
went  back;  "Raised  $2,150.00  for  Mississippi  College. 
The  Bijptists  of  Mississippi  did  it." 

Dr.  C.  C.  Bitting  was  at  the  convention  in  1884, 
and  made  a  delightful  impression  on  the  body.    He  was 


1498  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

representing  the  Bible  Department  of  the  American 
Baptist  Publication  Society.  His  work  was  endorsed, 
and  a  contribution  of  $38.00  made  to  it. 

Considerable  effort  was  made  at  that  time  to  con- 
solidate all  the  general  organizations  in  the  State  into 
one  general  convention.  The  convention  was  much 
exercised  about  it,  and  talked  the  matter  over  at  two 
or  three  meetings  of  the  liod}'.  The  General  Associa- 
tion of  Regular  Baptists  of  Southeast  Mississippi  re- 
plied, that,  if  fraternal  rckition  was  what  the  conven- 
tion wished,  they  were  willing  to  heartilv  extend  it ; 
but  the  convention  wished  them  to  dissolve  their  organ- 
ization— away  with  their  idea. 

George  Whitfield  was  chairman  of  the  Coinmittee 
on  Foreign  Missions  in  1884'.  The  Baptists  of  our  State 
were  asked  to  contribute  to  that  cause  that  year  $8,- 
000.00.  It  was  suggested  that  the  pastors  present 
pledge  themselves  to  raise  the  amount  in  their  associa- 
tions and  churches. 

The  committee  on  more  perfect  organization  was 
not  ])repared  to  report,  Ijut  suggested  that  a  standing 
committee  of  seven,  with  Capt.  John  Powell  of  Gre- 
nada, as  chairman,  be  a])pointed  to  report  at  the  next 
session  of  the  convention. 

The  old  State  Mission  Board  had  that  year  eighteen 
missionaries  emplo^-ed.  Sixteen  of  them  were  distrib- 
uted over  the  State  ;  two  were  in  New  Orleans.  Lewis 
Ball  was  secretary  of  the  Board.  The  health  of  T.  J. 
Walne  finally  failed  completeh',  and  he  resigned  in  the 
fall  of  1883.  J.  A.  Hackett  was  cho.sen  to  succeed  him 
in  ofiice,  but  could  not  accept  the  position,  and  Lewis 
Ball,  ready  for  any  kind  of  work  for  the  Lord,  was 
chosen,  and  accepted  the  jjosition. 

In  the  annual  addi^ess  of  the  president  of  the  con- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS  1499 

vention  in  1885,  the  question  of  more  perfect  organi- 
zation was  declared  an  open  one.  The  s^'stem  under 
Avhich  the  convention  was  working  \vas  as  a  handicap 
race.  The  president  had  his  doubts  as  to  whether  it 
\vas  a  system  at  all. 

The  report  of  the  committee  of  seven  was  presented 
to  the  convention  early  in  the  proceeding  of  the  body. 
Instead  of  naming  the  place  at  which  the  Board  was 
to  be  located,  a  ])lank  was  left  in  the  Ijody  of  the  report 
to  be  filled  l)y  the  convention  at  jileasure.  The  motion 
was  made  by  Dr.  Webb  that  the  name  of  Clinton  be 
inserted  in  the  blank.  Some  one  inoved  to  sulostitute 
Jackson  for  Clinton,  Avhen  the  report  and  its  amend- 
ments were  laid  on  the  table  subject  to  call.  Later,  the 
matter  was  called  up,  and  the  motion  on  the  substitute 
prevailed,  which  located  the  new  Board  at  Jackson. 
The  report  as  a  whole  was  adopted. 

The  instrument  of  writing,  presented  hy  the  com- 
mittee, provided  that  the  Convention  Board  should  be 
composed  of  fifteen  members,  nine  of  whom  should  live 
at  or  near  the  domicile  of  the  Board,  the  remaining  six 
to  represent  different  sections  of  the  State.  The  body 
w^as  to  have  authority  to  appoint  its  officers,  and  was 
to  have  the  oversight  of  all  the  benevolent  Avork  of  the 
convention ;  it  was  to  appoint  missionaries  in  our 
bounds,  and  fix  their  salaries ;  it  was  to  have  a  corres- 
ponding Secretar\^,  who  was  to  be  an  organizer,  with 
unpaid  agencies  to  assist  him  in  our  territory,  tor  the 
development  of  the  local  churches,  and  with  the  privi- 
lege of  appointing  a  clerk  or  assistant,  whose  salary 
should  be  fixed  by  the  Board.  Collections  were  to  be 
taken  ibr  State,  Home  and  Foreign  missions.  Minis- 
terial Education,  Mississippi  College,  and  Sustentation. 
This  instrument  of  writing  has  not,  to  this  date,  1)een 
changed  by  the  convention. 


1500  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

The  convention  had  an  interest  in  the  Home  mis- 
sion work  in  New  Orleans.  In  Juh',  1883,  the  Home 
Board  began  to  pay  half  of  the  salaries  of  Mrs.  M.J. 
Nelson  and  M.  C.  Cole,  and  "a  considerable  portion  of 
Dr.  S.  Landrum's  salar\\"  In  1884-,  it  was  said  that 
'the  work  of  Misses  Gardner  and  Cole  is  constantly 
growing  in  interest."  In  the  fall  of  that  year  Miss 
Gardner  was  married  to  Dr.  J.  A.  Hackett,  and  was 
followed  in  her  work  by  Minnie  W.  Alfred.  On  Ma^', 
29,  1885,  the  work  so  long  and  so  well  done  by  Mrs. 
M.  J.  Nelson,  was  suspended.  It  was  left  in  the  care 
and  keeping  of  the  Coliseum  Place  church. 

In  1884-85,  the  old  State  Mission  Board  had  in  its 
'  emplo3mient  twenty-three  missionaries.  The  list  was 
reduced  Januar^'^  1,  1885,  to  thirteen.  The  Board  said  ; 
"Our  labor  has  not  been  in  vain  nor  without  its  re- 
ward." The  missionaries  had  baptized  172  persons, 
organized  six  churches  and  seventeen  Sunday  schools. 
At  the  meeting  of  the  convention  the  Board  w^is  carry- 
ing a  debt  of  $1,235.45. 

The  contribution  made  by  our  State,  in  1885,  to 
Foreign  missions,  was  surely -not  satisfactory.  The 
amount  contributed  was  $3,556.29,  which  was  not 
quite  half  as  much  as  the  Foreign  Board  asked  us  to 
give  to  that  cause. 

It  was  found  difficult  to  secure  a  desirable  corres- 
ponding secretary  of  the  new  Convention  Board.  J.  B. 
Gambrell,  the  father  of  the  scheme  of  more  perfect  or- 
ganization, was  elected  to  fill  the  place,  but  declined  to 
accept  the  position.  M.  V.  Noffsinger  was  then  elected, 
but  could  not  see  his  way  clear  to  assume  the  responsi- 
bilities of  the  work.  Then,  under  pressure  pCit  on  him 
l)y  the  Board,  J.  B.  Gambrell  consented  to  accept  the 
position   for  two  months,  through  the  season  of  th^ 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISls.  1501 

meetings   of   the   associations.      Finalh'.    he   \vas   per- 
suaded to  continue  in  the  undertaking. 

The  total  amount  contributed  that  year  to  the 
Convention  Board  was  $20,167.4-7.  Of  this  amount 
the  sum  of  $6,860.93  was  for  State  missions;  $2,- 
638.09  for  Foreign  missions;  $598.58  for  Home  mis- 
sions; and  $3,665.00  for  church  building. 

Twelve  young  ministers  were  commissioned  as  col- 
porteurs for  ten  weeks  at  $100.00  each,  $50.00  of 
which  was  to  be  paid  in  l^ooks.  It  was  thought  that 
the  arrangenlent  was  a  good  one  for  many  reasons, 
chief  among  which  were,  the  dissemination  of  good 
literature,  the  valuable  experience  the  A^oung  men  would 
harvest,  and,  they  would  he  helping  themselves  in  get- 
ting an  education. 

It  may  be  just  as  well  to  state  here  as  elsewhere, 
that  annually  the  convention  received  rci)orts  on  the 
temperance  situation.  It  always  expressed  itselt  in  no 
doubtful  terms  as  to  the  monster  evil  in  our  land.  As 
a  denomination  we  did  not  go  into  the  campaigns  of 
good  government  against  the  h\'dra-headed  evil,  but 
our  positions  were  well  defined.  As  the  body  did  no 
actual  work  as  a  body,  there  are  no  historical  facts  to 
report  be^'ond  a  statement  that  the  recommendations 
of  the  convention  were  in  clear  and  ringing  language, 
and,  as  individuals.  Baptists  have,  as  a  general  rule, 
been  true  to  the  prohibition  sentiments  of  ourda\'. 

In  1887,  J.  B.  Gambrell  retired  from  the  secretary's 
jDOsition  on  the  Board,  and  J.  T.  Christian,  then  pastor 
in  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  was  chosen  to  fill  the  vacancy 
made  by  the  retiring  ofiScer.  J.  B.  Gambrell,  was  wise 
and  active  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties.  J.  T.  Chris- 
tian began  his  work  with  nerves  of  steel,  full  of  hope 
and  promise. 


1502  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.] 

In  the  report  on  Home  missions  it  was  urged  upon 
the  Home  Board  that  an  able  pastor  be  sent  at  once  to 
help  the  women,  Mrs.  M.  J.  Nelson,  and  Miss  Minnie 
Alford.  The  suspension  of  the  work  of  Mrs.  Nelson  in 
New  Orleans  in  May,  1885,  was  only  temporary,  be- 
cause of  the  lack  of  means,  and  the  unsettled  condition 
of  the  work  of  the  Board.  In  1887,  the  secretary-  of 
the  Convention  Board  put  this  language  in  his  report 
to  the  Convention  :  "  We  cannot  too  highly  commend 
the  work  Sister  Nelson  is  doing,  and  we  believe  that  it 
is  to  solve  to  a  great  degree  the  problem  in  New  Or- 
leans." 

At  the  convention  of  that  3'ear  a  long  memorial  to 
the  State  Legislature  was  accepted  by  the  convention. 
The  memorial  bore  on  the  desecration  of  the  Lord's 
daj'  by  the  running  of  freight  trains  through  our  State 
on  Sunday.  This  desecration  was  regarded  but  equal 
to  the  work  of  the  farmer,  merchant,  etc. 

In  1888,  the  matters  of  the  convention  were  moving 
along  smoothly.  Not  a  great  deal  was  being  done  for 
Home  missions.  The  amount  received  for  Foreign  mis- 
sions was  commendable. 

A  special  report  was  made  on  New  Orleans  missions. 
The  Convention  Board  was  advised  to  increase  its 
work  in  that  city,  and  a  note  of  approval  given  to  the 
work  of  Mrs.  M.  J.  Nelson.  She  was  then  under  the 
appointment  of  the  H6me  Board,  but  Mississippi  Bap- 
tists claimed  her,  and  wished  her  to  continue  in  her  noljle 
efforts.  Our  convention  did  much  for  Eastern  Loui- 
siana in  those  days.  Long  did  it  support  the  lamented 
L.  S.  Piker  in  Baton  Rouge,  and,  when  it  ceased  labors 
in  that  cit\%  the  city  was  ornamented  with  a  neat  Bap- 
tist church.  J.  R.  Parish  did  good  work  for  a  while  in 
Tangipahoa,  and  Mississippi  Baptists  laid  the  founda- 


HISTORY     OF    MISSISSIPPI    BAPTISTS.  1503 

tion  for  the  successful  operations  of  Baptists  in  New 
Orleans. 

The  Board  had  in  its  employ  in  1888  sixty-four 
missionaries,  who  were  here  and  there  from  limit  to 
limit  of  our  State.  No  sections  of  the  State  enjoyed 
an^'  special  partiality'  from  the  hod}'.  The^^  commis- 
sioned men  for  work,  and  not  to  support  our  minis- 
terial surplus.  Two  things  were  always  in  the  minds 
of  the  memliers  of  the  Board — the  extension  of  Christ's 
kingdom,  and  the  best  use  of  available  funds. 

In  the  fall  of  1888,  our  State  was  panic-stricken 
again  with  rumors  of  yellow  fever  in  our  Ijounds. 
There  were  more  rumors  than  fevers,  but  the  rumors 
seriously  interfered  with  the  gatherers  at  the  annual 
meeting  of  our  association,  and  injured  the  work  of 
the  3'ear.  In  1888-89,  the  convention  gave  to  Foreign 
missions  $5,800.01. 

It  was  resolved  that  year  to  constitute  a  State 
Baptist  Sunday  Schcjol,  to  meet  on  Wednesday  before 
the  meeting  of  the  convention  annually.  A  committee 
ot  live  was  appointed  to  arrange  a  program  of  exercises 
for  1890.     Nothing  came  of  the  movement. 

The  convention  was  not  slow  in  expressing  itself  as 
to  the  baleful  and  pernicious  influence  of  the  Louisiana 
State  Lotterj^  Company.  In  1887,  at  Oxford,  resolu- 
tions were  ado])ted  condemning  the  company'.  It  was 
injuring  the  citizenship  of  our  State,  and  having  its 
influence  on  Christian  character  and  effort.  In  1890, 
Governor  Francis  T.  Nicholls  was  doing  what  he  could 
to  wipe  the  stain  of  disgrace  from  his  State.  Our  con- 
vention, representing  80,000  white  Christians,  sent 
him  hearty  approbation'  of  his  masterful  efforts  to 
make  the  Louisiana!  lotterv  a  thing  of  the  past,  and  a 
curse  to  our  people  no  longer. 


1504-  HISTORY     OF     MISSIvSSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Since  the  ortianization  of  the  old  State  Alission 
Board,  onr  people  have  not  shown  pro])er  interest  in 
the  Home  Alission  Board.  The  extended  territory  of 
the  convention  for  many  years,  embracing  all  Louisi- 
ana east  of  the  Mississippi  river  in  onr  bounds,  fastened 
it  on  their  minds  that  they  were  doing  the  whole  Home 
mission  work.  Their  attention  was  drawn  from  the 
Home  Board,  and  has  not  yet  been  sufficiently  directed 
to  it.  In  1890,  it  was  recommended  by  the  Committee 
on  Home  Missions  that  the  pastors  insist  that  Home 
missions  was  entitled  to  an  equal  share  of  liberalitj^ 
with  the  other  boards  fostered  bA'  our  convention. 

In  1891,  the  convention  met  in  Natchez.  The  affairs 
of  the  bod}' were  in  confusion.  College  matters  were 
in  a  distressing  condition.  The  Board  of  Trustees  saw 
little  of  the  workings  of  the  convention,  being  almost 
continualh'  in  session.  It  was  at  that  convention  that 
the  famous  preamble  and  resolutions  engaged  the  at- 
tention of  the  convention.  In  that  convention  year  we 
contributed  $9,502.00  to  vState  missions:  $5,684-. 18  to 
Foreign  missions,  and  $1,505.46  to  Home  missions  ;  to 
Ministerial  Education  $1,554-. 25;  and  to  Mississippi 
College  $22,984-.77.     Not  a  small  work  for  the  year. 

The  convention  of  1892  was  almost  totally  ab- 
sorbed with  the  subject  of  college  removal.  The  body 
met  in  Meridian,  and  Meridian  wanted  the  college. 
The  fight  was  stubborn.  The  contest  was  doubtful. 
Propositions  were  altered,  and  many  scarcely  knew 
their  own  minds.  The  removal  of  the  college  was  dis- 
cussed in  the  homes,  on  the  streets,  in  the  places  of 
business,  in  the  meetings  of  the  convention,  everywhere. 
Feeling  ran  high.  Some  who  long  had  been  walking 
n  unison,  found  the  parting  of  ways, and  in  the  Alight 
of  3^ears  were  far  apart. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1505 

In  the  report  on  Sunday  Sehools  it  was  recom- 
mended "that  the  Sunday-school  work  be  committed 
to  the  State  Mission  Board  with  instructions  to  organ- 
ize it  as  a  department  as  early  as  possible,  and  toster 
it  through  a  Sunday  School  missionary-  or  evangelist^ 
with  colporteur  work  added."  Nothing  was  done 
through  the  year,  but  the  following  3'ear  the  recom- 
mendation was  leiterated,  and  emphasis  placed  upon  it. 

The  Convention  Board,  in  1892,  had  fifty-nine  mis- 
sionaries emploA'cd,  who  reported  228  baptisms,  and 
nine  churches  and  forty-six  Sunday  Schools  organized. 
The  estimated  value  of  churches  built  on  mission  fields 
Avas  $9,529.50. 

Our  mission  work  met  with  serious  hindrances  in 
1892-93.  Just  as  the  secretary  of  the  Convention 
Board  ^was  getting  ready  for  a  severe  fall  work  in  1892,, 
traversing  the  State  attending  the  meetings  of  district 
associations,  "he  was  stricken  with  sickness  nigh  unto 
death."  Few  misfortunes  can  come  upon  the  work  of 
a  Board  of  more  injurious  consequences.  It  can  only 
be  compared  to  the  illness  of  the  mother  in  the  home. 
J.  T.  Christian  was  forced  by  bad  health  to  i-esign  his 
position  as  secretary  of  the  Board,  March  10,  1893. 
His  place  was  filled  by  the  election  of  A.  V.  Rowe,  of 
Winona,  but  the  year  was  tar  spent  when  A.  V.  Rowe 
assumed  his  duties. 

Another  great  loss  to  ourState  work  was  the  death 
of  Capt.  John  Powell,  of  Grenada,  March  10,  1893. 
Captain  Powell  was  a  man  of  wealth  of  purse,  of  heart 
and  of  l)rain.  He  was  invaluable  to  our  work  from 
1877  to  the  day  of  his  death.  His  open  benevolent 
countenance  was  itself  a  benediction.  He  was  punctual 
and  hopeful  at  all  our  gatherings,  and  in  the  van  when. 
a  great  cause  was  to  be  represented. 


1506  HISTORY    OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

In  1894,  the  Sunday-school  work  was  again,  after 
the  lai)se  of  man\'  A-ears,  in  a  good  condition.  B.  N. 
Hatch,  of  Columbus,  had  been  placed  in  the  held  as 
Sunda}^  School  evangelist,  and  "  was  fast  taking  favor, 
and  the  wisdom  not  only  of  the  move,  but  also  oi  the 
appointment,"  was  generally  recognized.  The  Sunday 
School  Board  of  the  Southern  Convention  was  aiding 
in  his  support.  In  1895,  Hatch  organized  fifty-four 
Sunday  schools,  and  did  much  other  valuable  service 
for  the  Sunda\^-school  interest.  Later,  four  men  were 
appointed  in  as  man\'  parts  of  the  State  to  look  after 
our  Sunday-school  work.  In  1896-97,  the  four  men 
were:  W.  P.  Winters,  G.  W.  Thompson,  J.  J.  Walker, 
and  C.  S.  Ray.  In  1»99,  the  Sunday-vSchool  interest 
Avas  commended  to  what  favor  it  could  get  in  fifth 
Sunday  meetings.     And  thus  the  clock  ran  down. 

In  1894-,  the  Convention  Board  was  behind  with 
its  missionaries  about  $500.00.  After  speeches  on  the 
subject  of  State  missions  by  Z.  T.  Lea  veil,  J.  H.  Boyett, 
iind  A.J.  Miller,  a  collection  for  this  oljject  was  taken, 
amounting  to  $571.31. 

The  convention  was  called  upon  to  lament  the 
death  of  Dr.  J.  VV.  Bozeman  in  1895.  He  died  Feb.  22, 
1895.  Dr.  Bozeman  had  long  Ijcen  a  prominent  man 
in  the  working  of  the  conventi(^n.  He  was  (|uiet,  but  a 
man  of  force.  He  was  not  a  great  preacher,  but  better, 
he  was  a  good  preacher.  He  was  loved  by  the  conven- 
tion, and  loved  the  convention.  And  Henry  D.  White 
died  in  Yicksburg,  December  17,  1894.  He  was  not  a 
gifted  man,  but  remarkable  in  the  use  of  his  gifts.  He 
knew  better  how  to  use  till  the  Lord  gave  him  by  na- 
ture and  grace  th£in  any  man  among  us.  He  had  no 
idle  surplus  material.  He  was  one  of  three  men  who 
made  the  possibilities  of  the  Delta  work  as  we  see  it 
to-d  a}^ 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1507 

One  of  the  princijKil  items  of  business  in  the  eonven- 
tion  of  1895,  was  the  assuming  of  the  Jaekson  chureh 
delit  by  the  convention.  It  was  through  the  persua- 
sion of  some  of  the  members  of  the  convention  that  the 
church  at  Jackson  had  built  so  extensively,  and  at  such 
a  great  cost.  The  Ijuilding  was  erected  with  accom- 
modations for  the  Convention  Board  in  its  meetings. 
H.  F.  Sproles,  pastor  at  Jackson,  had  exhausted  his 
energies  and  resources  in  his  efforts  to  cancel  all  debts 
accruing  in  its  construction.  The  sum  of  $12,000  was 
due  on  the  building,  which  was  assumed  by  the  con- 
vention. A  committee  ot  five  was  appointed  by  the 
convention  with  full  power  to  co-operate  with  the 
building  committee  of  the  Jackson  Baptist  church.  The 
committee  consisted  of  R.  A.  Yenalile,  I.  N.  Ellis,  H.  C. 
Conn,  B.  W.  Griffith,  and  Z.  D.  Davis.  Here  was  work 
for  the  convention  for  years. 

Our  vState  was  asked  to  raise  $4,000.00  for  Home 
missions  in  1895-96,  and  failed  to  do  so.  In  many 
churches  collections  for  that  oljject  were  crowded  out 
b^--  demands  made  directly  and  persistently  by  the  rep- 
resentatives of  other  objects.  Yet,  the  Home  Board 
has  l^een  the  unfailing  friend  of  Mississippi  Baptists. 
No  one  can  fail  to  appreciate  that  fact,  who  reads  this 
history  of  the  mission  work  of  the  convention.  In 
1896,  the  treasurer  of  the  Convention  Board  reported 
the  sum  of  $1,688.66  sent  to  the  Home  Board.  Of 
course,  sonii  contributions  did  not  pass  through  the 
hands  of  th^  treasurer  of  the  Convention  Board. 

The  great  interest  in  P'oreign  missions  at  that  time 
was  the  building  of  a  home  for  E.  N.  Walne  in  Japan. 
E.  N.  Walne  is  a  son  of  T.  J.  Walne,  long  tne  secretary 
of  the  old  State  Mission  Board,  and  much  loved  by  our 
people.    In  the  far-awa^'  land  of  Japan,  Earnest  Walne 


150S  HISTORY    OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

was  made  to  know  that  hearts  were  beatin^i-  warmly 
lor  him  in  the  dear  old  State  of  his  nativity. 

That  year  the  Convention  Board  eommissioned 
seventy-three  missionaries.  How  the  work  had  grown  ! 
Our  forefathers  strug^gled  and  prayed  in  the  support  of 
a  iew  men  preaehing  in  Vieksburg,  Jackson.,  Yazoo  City, 
Grenada  and  Natchez,  and  eongratuLated  themselves 
that  the\'  were  doing  well. 

The  convention  at  Grenada,  in  1S97,  was  as  a  wor- 
ried mother,  whose  children,  though  loved,  are  not 
walking  to  her  liking,  and  are  about  to  be  contamin- 
ated b\'  outside  influences.  AI.  T.  Martin  was  dear  to 
the  thoughtful  men  of  that  body.  He  was  a  lovable,  com- 
panionable man.  If  the  question  had  arisen  as  to  wdio 
had  in  time  of  its  disti'ess  done  inost  for  the  convention 
and  its  institutionSj  nearly  every  one  in  the  bod3^  would 
have  been  restrained  to  let  Tom  Martin  go  ahead  of 
him.  This  historian  has  in  these  studies  of  our  history 
been  compelled,  more  than  once,  to  rest  his  pen  in  his 
meditations  on  the  character  of  Tom  Martin  ;  and  most 
readih'  \vould  he  strew  flowers  on  the  grave  of  that 
man,  and  bare  his  head  near  his  sleeping  dust.  Sureh'' 
no  one  wished  him  any  harm  at  the  convention  in 
Grenada. 

And  W.H.Whitsittwas  at  that  convention,  learned, 
chaste  in  diction,  and  polished  in  manners.  He  is  gen- 
tle as  a]woman  and  of  virgin  purity.  Who  could  not 
love  him  ?  But  he  had  made  mistakes,  and  was  still 
wrong  after  all  his  confessions. 

In  1897,  we  were  doing  a  better  part  by  the  Home 
Board.  The  Baptists  of  our  State  gave  that  year  to 
this  Board  the  sum  of  $3,191.36.  The  long-neglected 
friend  had  come  to  our  assistance  again  in  the  moment 
of  our  trouble.     The   Home  Board  was  assisting  us  in 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1509 

the  payment  of  the  Jackson  church  debt.  The  Home 
Board  had  agreed  to  pay  a  thousand  dollars  a  year 
and  interest  to  aid  us  in  the  discharge  of  our  duty. 
The  agreement  was  a  fine  commentary'  on  Christianity 
after  a  long  season  of  forgetfulness  on  our  part.  We 
should  do  better  1)\'  that  interest.  When  the  final 
struggle  came  with  that  annoying  debt  at  Jackson  in 
1900,  the  Home  Board  smiled  on  us  again,  and  made 
it  possible  then  and  there  to  raise  the  money  still  due 
on  that  old  church  debt. 

That  year,  (1892),  Mississippi  Baptists  gave  the 
sum  of  $8,528.22  to  Foreign  missions,  which  was  far 
in  advance  of  the  contril)utions  of  former  years,  and 
was  a  source  of  congratulation.  The  contriliutions  to 
State  missions  amounted  to  $7,4-04.95.  The  number 
of  persons  baptized  by  the  missionaries  of  the  Board 
Avas547;  thirteen  churches  had  been  organized  and 
twenty-five  Sunday  Schools.  The  number  of  baptisms 
bv  missionaries  of  the  Board  the  following  year  was 
426.  There  were  88  missionaries  who  occupied  131 
stations. 

In  the  Convention  Minutes  of  1889,  appears  a  very 
sensible  resolution  with  an  introductory-  writing  from 
the  pen  of  Judge  B.  T.  Kimbrough.  It  is  on  Christian 
citizenship,  and  is  highly  worthy  of  the  space  it  fills  in 
the  Alinutes.'  It  is  surely  the  duty  of  each  Christian  to 
study  the  condition  of  his  country  and  the  character  of 
the  man  \vho  presents  himself  as  a  subject  of  the  right 
suffrage.  ^  It  is  itself  immoral  to  vote  for  a  man  known 
to  be  lecherous  or  sottish.  "Christian  citizenship  can- 
not be  divorced  from  the  citizen's  duty."'  Nothing  is 
truer  in  a  code  of  inorals  than  this  expression  in  the 
v^a'iting  referred  to.     We  give  the  resolution : 

"^Resolved,  therefore.   That  it  is  a  transgression  of 


1510  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Christian  duty  for  any  believer  having  the  baUot,  to 
^vilfully  fail  to  use  it ;  thereby  neglecting  to  do  his  ])art 
towards  safeguarding  our  priceless  heritage  of  a  Chris- 
tian civilization  and  religious  freedom.  And  it  is 
vicious  to  use  the  ballot  to  put  in  office  men  that  en- 
courage immorality  by  getting  drunk  or  otherwise 
openly  def\ang  both  the  laws  ot  God  and  man,  and  we 
condemn  it  utterly." 

The  inroads  of  death  into  our  rank  in  1898-99 
were  sad  to  contemplate.  The  laborious  E.  C.  Eager, 
the  consecrated  agent,  gave  up  his  crutches  for  heaven's 
helping  hand.  T.  G.  Sellers,  wise  in  council,  discrete 
in  the  pastorate,  and  an  impartial  moderator,  crossed 
the  river.  E.  P.  Douglass,  cautious  in  debate,  and 
helpful  in  advice,  went  home  to  God.  AI.  T.  Martin,  of 
iron  will,  while  moving  on  the  train  went  to  the  heav- 
enly station.  And  E.  A.  Taylor,  the  affable ;  AI.  S. 
Shirk,  the  learned;  B.  A.  Crawford,  the  faithful,  and 
J.  C.  Foster,  the  sensible,  crossed  the  bourne,  and  we 
saw  them  no  more. 

In  the  year  1900,  the  convention  met  in  Jackson, 
full  ot  hope  and  vigor.  It  had  learned  to  regard  no 
obstacles;  to  face  any  frowning  issue;  to  honor  God 
and  revere  the  calls  of  duty.  It  represented  men  be- 
tween the  plow-handles,  in  the  factories,  behind  the 
counter,  in  the  banking  halls,  before  the  courts  of  jus- 
tice, in  high  places  of  public  favor,  and  within  the 
sacred  desk.  Its  constituency  was  rich  in  means  and 
merit,  its  benevolences  copious,  and  its  horizon  the 
earth's  limits. 

As  the  convention  was  closing  the  labors  of  the  old 
Centura  to  enter  upon  the  new,  there  was  a  pleasing 
prospect  in  view.  Our  loved  commonwealth  \vas  in 
the  flow  and  glow  of  material  wealth.     Inviting  Chris- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1511 

tian  work  was  as  lovely  as  a  maiden  to  the  vigorous 
child  of  God .  Towns  were  springing  up  like  magic  in  the 
southeastern  part  ()f  our  State,  and  in  the  alluvial  Delta. 
The  hum  of  machinery  and  the  musical  buzz  of  the  saw 
were  heard  in  city  and  village.  Immortal  beings,  with 
souls  to  redeem,  fired  the  engines,  watched  the  machin- 
ery, and  directed  the  saw.  Millions  of  years  to  come 
their  minds  would  be  active  and  their  emotions  l)ound- 
ing.  In  the  immortal  years  of  God,  where  were  the}'  to 
be?  Elysian  fields  awaited  them,  or  dismal,  dark  dun- 
geons of  despair. 

The  ^vriter  loves  the  State  of  Mississippi  He  loves 
the  Baptist  State  Convention  and  the  great  enterprises 
fostered  In-  it.  He  loves  the  Mississippi  churches  and 
their  faithful  pastors.  To  them  he  j)lights  his  warmest 
affections  tind  strictest  fidelity.  By  l)irth  and  citizen- 
ship, he  is  a  Mississippian.  A  patriotic  devotion  to  his 
native  State  possesses  his  soul.  He  loves  her  ])road 
prairies,  her  rolling  hills,  and  her  alluvial  lands.  In  her 
warm  bosom  sleep  the  tranijuil  remains  of  his  sisters, 
his  father  and  his  mother.  In  her  splendid  institutions 
of  learning  he  received  instruction  :  and  in  her  beautiful 
villages  and  proud  cities  he  has  seen  his  children  grow 
to  maturity.  He  is  a  Mississi])pi  Baptist.  He  was 
baptized  in  water,  filtered  and  made  pure  in  nature's 
laboratory  under  the  everlasting  hills  of  Mississippi, 
which,  after  springing  up  in  the  stony  sands  of  an  in- 
viting fountain,  flowed  in  its  sweetness  into  a  clear 
pool  in  the  valley  below.  Heaven's  lilessings  continue 
to  rest  on  Mississippi  Baptists. 


1jS12  history   of   Mississippi   baptists. 


^5.:E=':E=*:H]n:rTiDZ  ::h:. 


Articles  of  Faith;    Gospal  Order;   and  Constitution  of 
the  Most  of  Our  Associations. 


ARTICLES  OF  FAITH. 

1.  We  believe  the  seriptures  of  the  Old  and  Xew 
Testament  are  the  words  of  God,  and  the  only  rule  of 
■faith  and  practice. 

2.  We  believe  that  the  scrij^tures  teach  that  there 
is  but  one  living  and  true  God;  that  there  are  three 
persons  in  the  Godhead,  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy 
Spirit,  and  that  these  three  are  one. 

3.  We  believe  in  the  fall  of  Adam  from  his  orjfi-inal 
rectitude;  that  throu^^-h hisdisob^dience  judgmentcame 
upon  all  men  to  condemnation,  and  all  are  now  totally 
depraved,  and  wholly  unable  to  restore  themselves  to 
the  favor  of  God. 

4.  We  believe  that  God  has  provided  a  wa^-  of  sal- 
vation, and  has  revealed  it  to  us  in  the  Gospel  of  His 
Son;  that  this  way  of  salvation  was  adopted  in  the 
Eternal  counsel;  that  God  chose  His  people  in  Christ 
before  the  foundfition  of  the  world,  and  determined  on 
their  recovery  through  the  sanctifieation  of  the  Spirit 
and  belief  of  the  trnth. 

5.  We  believe  that  there  is  one    Mediator  between 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1513 

God  and  men,  the  man  Jesiis  Christ,  who  by  the  sacri- 
fice He  made  in  becoming  an  offering  for  sin,  hath,  by 
His  precious  blood  redeemed  us  from  under  the  curse  of 
the  law,  that  we  should  l^e  hoi}-  and  without  lilame 
before  Him  in  love. 

6.  We  believe  in  the  necessity' of  regeneration,  and 
that  the  Holy  Spirit  is  the  great  agent,  and  the  word 
of  truth  the  instrument  in  convincing  man  of  his  lost 
and  condemned  condition,  and  leading  him  by  repent- 
ance and  faith,  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  and  that  we 
are  justified  in  the  sight  of  God,  only  by  the  righteous- 
ness of  Christ  imputed  to  us;  and  thfit  all  who  are  thus 
justified  ^vill  continue  to  persevere  unto  the  end. 

7.  We  believe  that  good  works  are  the  fruits  ot 
faith,  and  follow  after  justification,  and  are  evidences 
of  a  gracious  state;  and  that  all  believers  arel)ound  to 
obey  every  commandment  of  God  from  a  principle  of 
love. 

8.  We  believe  in  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  and 
a  general  judgment;  that  the  happiness  of  the  right- 
eous, and  the  punishment  of  the  wicked  will  be  ever- 
lasting. 


GOSPEL  ORDER. 

1.  We  believe  that  a  visible  Church  of  Jesus  Clirist 
is  a  congregation  of  immersed  believers,  who  have 
given  themselves  to  the  Lord,  and  to  one  another,  by 
the  will  of  God;  and  have  covenanted  to  keep  up  a  god- 
ly discipline,  agreeably  to  the  rules  of  the  gospel. 

2.  We  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  head  of  the 
Church — the  only  lawgiver — and  that  the  government 
is  with  the  Church. 

3.  That  baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper  are  gospel 


loll  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

ordinances  aijpointcd  by  Jesus  Christ,    and  arc   to  l)e 
continued  in  the  Church  until  His  second  coming". 

4.  That  the  immersion  in  water  of  a  beHcver,  in 
the  name  of  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost,  is  the  on- 
\\  scriptural  baptism:  and  none  but  ministers  who  are 
in  good  standing-,  and  have  been  baptized  and  ordain- 
ed according  to  our  faith  and  order  have  a  right  to  ad- 
minister it. 

5.  That  none  but  regularly  baptized  Church  mem- 
bers, who  live  a  holy  life,  iiave  a  right  to  partake  of 
the  Lord's  Supper. 

6.  That  it  is  the  privilege  and  duty  of  all  believers 
to  make  a  public  profession  of  their  faith,  by  submit- 
ting themselves  as  subjects  of  l^aj^tism,  and  as  members 
of  the  visible  Church. 

7.  That  it  is  the  duty  of  every  regularly  organized 
Church,  to  expel  from  her  communion  all  disorderly 
and  immoral  members,  and  also  those  who  hold  doc- 
trines contrary  to  the  scriptures. 


COXSTITUTIOX. 

Article  1.  Name  fijid  of  Whom  Composer]. ^This 
Body  shall  be  known  by  the  name  of  The  Central 
Baptist  Association:  and  shall  he  composed  at  dele- 
gaces  only  Avho  are  members  of  the  churches  they  rep- 
resent, except  such  as  may  be  invited  to  a  seat  l)y  the 
consent  of  the  Body. 

Article  2.  Terms  of  Representation. — Churches 
represented  in  this  body  shall  be  entitled  to  three  del- 
egates, and  an  additional  one  for  every  fifty  over  one 
hundred  members. 

Article  3.  Time  and  Place  of  Meeting. — This  As- 
sociation shall  meet  annually,  and  at  such  time  anil 
place  as  shall  be  previously  appointed. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1515 

Article  4-.  Officers  and  Their  Duties. — After  read- 
ing the  letters  from  the  different  churches  and  enrolling" 
the  names  of  the  delegates,  the  Association  shall  pro- 
ceed to  elect,  by  ballot,  a  Moderator,  Treasurer  and 
Clerk. 

It  shall  lie  the  duty  of  the  Moderator  to  preside  and 
lead  in  all  transaction  ot  business,  and  to  see  that  or- 
der and  decorum  are  observed  by  all  the  memlDcrs. 

The  Treasurer  shall  receive  all  monies  lielonging  to 
the  Association,  keep  an  accurate  account  of  them,  and 
the  objects  for  which  the\'  are  designated:  pay  them 
out  according  to  the  instructions  of  the  Association, 
or  its  Board,  and  make  a  report  of  tlie  state  of  the 
Treasury  before  the  close  of  each  session. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Clerk,  to  keep  a  fair  and 
impartial  record  of  all  the  doings  of  this  Body,  and 
keep  a  regular  file  of  the  minutes,  which  he  shall  trans- 
mit to  his  successor  in  office. 

There  shall  also  be  ten  niemljers  elected  at  each  an- 
nual meeting,  who,  together  with  the  above  named  of- 
ficers, shall  constitute  a  Board  of  Managers,  (five  of 
whom  shall  constitute  a  quorum),  which  Board  shall 
conduct  the  business  of  the  Association  during  the  in- 
terval between  the  regular  meetings.  These  officers 
shall  continue  in  office  until  succeeded  by  a  new  a])- 
pointment. 

Article  5.  Statistics. — It  is  expected  the  churches 
will  send  up,  with  their  messengers  and  letters  to  the 
Association,  an  account  of  the  state  of  their  respective 
churches;  particularly  of  the  additions  and  diminu- 
tions in  the  past  year,  and  generally,  of  whatever  re- 
lates to  their  peace  and  prosperity-,  together  with  the 
^vhole  number  of  members  in  communion.  With  these 
letters,  each  church  shall  forward  mone\'  for  the  print- 
ing of  the  minutes. 


1516  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Article  6.  Reception  of  New  Churches. — Churches 
Avishinfi:  to  be  received  into  this  Union,  may  applv  by 
letter  and  messengers,  and  giving  satisfactox'y  informa- 
tion of  being  sound  in  doctrine  and  practice,  may  be 
receired;  and  as  a  token  of  the  same,  the  Moderator, 
in  behalf  of  the  Association,  shall  extend  to  the  messen- 
gers the  right  hand  of  fellowship. 

Article  7.  Privileges  of  the  Association. — Al- 
though, as  an  associated  Body,  we  utterly  disclaim  all 
power  over  churches,  so  far  as  res])ects  an  interference 
Avith  their  independence  and  discipline;  yet  we  deem  it 
our  high  ])rivilege  to  judge  for  ourselves  of  the  propri- 
ety of  continuing  any  chuixh  in  our  connection  which 
is  either  heterodox  in  principle,  or  disorderh'-  in  prac- 
tice. In  order,  however,  that  we  ma^-  not  withdraw 
our  fellowship  without  sufficient  reason,  it  is  proposed 
that  when  a  complaint  is  made  by  any  two  churches  of 
this  Bod_v,  against  a  church  belongitig  to  the  Associa- 
tion (if  thought  expedient),  thej^  may  ap])oint  a  com- 
mittee, who  shall  request  a  conference  with  said  church, 
in  order  to  obtain  satisfaction  on  the  points  which 
form  the  subject  of  complaint,  and  shall  report  the  re- 
sult to  the  next  meeting  of  the  Association,  in  order 
that  thej^  may  decide  as  duty  may  require. 

Article  8.  Neglecting  Representation. — Whenever 
any  church  shall  neglect  making  a  communication  to 
the  Association,  for  the  space  of  three  years  together, 
it  shall  be  considered  as  having  withdrawn  from  us, 
and  of  course  shall  be  dropped  from  the  minutes,  unless 
two  or  more  members  shall  request  their  continuance, 
and  will  also  engage  to  inquire  into  their  standing, 
and  report  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Association. 

Article  9.  Of  Correspondence. — This  Association 
shall  have  a  right  to  hold  correspondence  with  such  as- 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS,  1517 

sociations,  societies  and  individuals  as  it  may  think 
proper. 

Article  10.  For  the  Spread  of  the  Gospel. — It 
shall  be  the  duty  of  this  Association,  from  time  to  time, 
to  suggest  to  the  churches  what  they  may  think  the 
most  expedient  to  l)e  done  for  the  spread  of  the  Gospel 
in  the  world. 

Article  11.  General  Provisions. — This  Associa- 
tion, when  convened,  shall  appoint  the  time  and  place 
of  their  next  annujd  meeting,  select  a  jDcrson  or  persons 
to  preach  on  the  occasion,  make  an^'  other  appoint- 
ment or  transact  any  other  business  they  may  deem 
expedient,  and  shall,  from  time  to  time,  make  such 
amendments  and  alterations  in  this  Constitution  as 
experience  may  dictate;  Provided,  such  alterations  or 
amendments  shall  be  carried  by  a  majority  of  two- 
thirds  of  the  members  present,  at  any  regular  meeting. 

Article  12.  The  name  of  any  delegate  leaving  the 
Association  before  its  final  adjournment  shall  be  mark- 
ed absent,  with  or  without  leave,  as  the  case  may  be. 


1518  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


...  Constitution  ... 

OF   THE    MISSISSIPPI    BAPTIST   STATP:   CONVENTION. 

I 

Article  1.     This  body  shall  be  known  as  the  Mississippi  Baptist 

State  Convention. 

Art.  2.  The  object  of  this  convention  sliail  l)e  to  digest  and 
orjjanize  an  operative  system  of  measnres  to  promote  the  general 
interest  of  the  Redeemer's  Kingdom,  particularly  within  its  own 
bounds. 

Art.  ;5.  Tliis  convention  shall  be  eompo.sed  of  messengers  from 
Baptist  churches  and  Baptist  associations  in  Mississippi  in  the  follow- 
ing ratio  :  Bach  association  shall  be  entitled  to  one  messenger  for 
everj'  two  hundred  members,  or  fraction  thereof;  and  each  church 
shall  be  entitled  to  one  messenger  for  the  first  one  hundred,  or  frac- 
tion thereof,  of  its  membership,  and  one  messenger  for  each  addi- 
tional member,  or  fraction  thereof 

Art.  -k  The  convention  shall  never  possess  a  single  attribute  of 
]jower  or  authority  over  any  church  or  association.  It  absolutely 
and  forever  disclaims  any  right  of  this  kind,  hereby  avowing  the  car- 
dinal ]irinciple  that  every  church  is  sovereign  and  independent. 

Art.  f).  The  officers  of  this  convention  shall  consist  of  a  presi- 
dent, two  vice-presidents,  a  corresponding  secretary-,  a  recording 
secretary  and  a  treasurer;  all  of  whom  shall  be  elected  annually  and 
immediately  upon  the  enrollment  of  the  messengers  present;  each 
member  enrolled  shall  be  entitled  to  one  vote,  and  all  elections  for 
officers  of  the  convention  shall  be  held  by  ballot;  the  ballots  to  be 
cast  l)y  the  enrolled  messengers  present.  All  officers  of  the  conven- 
tion shall  continue  in  office  till  their  successors  have  been  regiila-My 
elected. 

Art.  6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  corresponding  secretary  to 
conduct  the  general  corres])ondence  of  the  convention,  and  report  the 
same  at  its  annual  meeting. 

Art.  7.      The    recording   secretary   shall    be    responsible   lor    all 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1519 

papers  and  df^ciinients  coiniiiitied  to  his  care,  and  shall  kcci)  a  fair 
and  faithful  record  of  all  the  proceediii<j:s  of  the  convention. 

Art.  S.  The  treasurer  will  take  charge  of  all  the  moneys,  special- 
ties and  property  of  all  kinds  belonging  to  the  convention ;  shal' 
keep  an  authentie  record  of  all  the  receipts  and  disbursements  of  the 
convention  funds,  specifying  jjarticulariy  to  what  objects  donations 
arc  to  be  applied,  and  shall  make  a  full  exhibit  of  same  at  the  stated 
meeting  of  the  convention.  He  shall  pay  out  no  money  e.vcejjt  by  the 
order  of  the  convention,  signed  ])y  the  presiding  officer,  and  counter- 
signed by  the  secretar\'. 

Art.  9.  The  annual  meetings  of  this  convention  shall  l)e  held  at 
such  times  and  places  as  the  convention  may  from  time  to  time  deter- 
mine. The  president  ma\-,  with  the  advice  of  any  four  other  officers, 
call  a  special  meeting  of  the  cf)nvention  or  change  the  time  and  place 
of  the  finnual  meeting. 

Art.  10.  The  conveniion  shall  have  the  power,  at  their  annual 
meetings,  to  make  such  alterations  of  and  additions  to  the  constitu- 
tion as  experience  shall  dictate,  by  a  majority  of  two-thirds  of  the 
members  present;  Provided,  That  tiie  Fourth  Article  be  .scrupulously 
preserved,  and  that  notice  i)e  given  of  the  contemplated  alteration  a 
year  previous ;  Provided.  Tliat  such  changes  shall  not  be  made  on 
the  last  dav  of  its  annual  meeting. 


1520  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 


EARLY  BEQINNINQS  OF  BAPTISTS  IN  MISSISSIPPI. 

15V  Z.  T.  LEAVELL. 

Baptists  do  not  assert  that  they  preceded  all  other 
evangelical  denominations  in  the  early  settlement  of 
Alississij^pi.  But  they  do  maintain  the  position  that 
they  were  the  first  of  them  to  permanenth'  establish 
themselves  on  the  soil  of  our  State,  The  existence  of 
an  early  Congregational  Church  was  of  short  duration, 
just  twelve  years.  Like  a  meteor,  the  church  came  and 
went  before  Ba])tists  established  themselves  in  organ- 
ized and  orderly  form.  The  colony  of  Congregational- 
ists  reached  Mississippi  in  1772,  and  Rev.  Samuel 
Swaj'ze,  their  faithful  pastor,  died  in  1784'.  The  exist- 
ence of  the  church  was  dependent  upon  the  l3odily 
presence  of  one  man,  and  when  he  was  dead  the  church 
was  dead. 

At  what  date  do  Baptists  claim  that  the  first  Bap- 
tist church  was  established  in  Mississippi?  Tiiis  has 
been  a  troubling  c[uestion.  Rev.  F.  M.  B(nid,  in  his  in- 
troduction to /I  Republication  of  the  Minutes  of  the 
Mississippi  Baptist  Association,  says:  "From  this 
period  (1780)  to  1793  or  1794,  we  know  but  little 
about  the  church,  only  that  it  existed  and  increased." 
Rev.  John  G.Jones,  in  his  Introduction  of  Protestant- 
ism in  Mississip})i  and  the  Southwest,  says  of  the  Bap- 
tists: "If  they  date  the  institution  of  their  church  from 
the  time  Baptists  first    established    social    worship    in 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1521 

Mississippi,  they  mriy  fix  it  as  early  MslTSl  *  *  *  if 
they  date  it  from  the  time  William  Hamberlin,  Stephen 
DeAlvo,  and  others,  were  admitted  into  their  eomniun- 
ion  by  immersion  *  *  *  They  ma\'  fix  it  as  early  as 
1791  or  1792."'  Thank  yon.  Jones  was  a  good  inan^ 
and  a  elever  historian,  bnt  some  things  did  not  fall  un- 
der his  observation.  Bond  seems  without  ehart  or 
compass,  and  on  an  unknown  sea.  It  may  be  well  to 
say  that  oral  tradition  and  conjecture  are  not  history. 
We  are  not  left  at  the  mercy  of  either  in  answering-  ^the 
question  before  us. 

By  a  strange  providence,  I  have  before  me  the  min- 
utes to  1815  of  the  first  Baptist  church  established  in 
Mississippi.  In  1888,  when  I  was  pastor  in  Natchez, 
m^^  lamented  friend,  Maj.  Thomas  Grafton,  then  editor 
of  the  Natchez  Democrat,  gave  me  these  old  musty  re- 
cords. I  was  told  In'  him  that  a  great  many  years'be- 
fore  a  good  Baptist  had  given  them  to  him  in  trust '.in- 
violable to  be  held  until  old  age  came  on  him  and  then 
to  be  given  to  some  worthy  person  in  like  manner  as 
he  received  them.  He  affirmed  that  he  did  not  know 
why  they  were  given  to  him,  as  he  was  a  Presbytei-ian. 
I  could  tell  why,  ifit  were  in  place  here. 

I  shall  give  you,  without  mental  reservation,  ex- 
cerpts from  these  minutes  as  they  bear  all  the  marks  of 
correctness  and  of  ^reat  age. The  paper  on  which  they 
are  written  is  as  brown  as  a  bun,  and  the  writer  uses 
the  ancient  "f '  for  "s."     The  minutes  begin  thus; 

"October,  1701.  The  Baptists  of  the  vicinity  ot  Natchez  met  hx 
request  of  Rev.  Richard  Curtis  and  William  Thomas,  at  the  house  ot-' 
Sister  Stampley,  on  Coles  Creek,  and  formed  into  a  liodv,  receiving: 
(or  adopting)  the  following  articles  or  rules,  cousidering  it  necessary 
that  such  as  have  a  mind  to  join  the  church  are  only  to  he  received 
by  letter,  or  experience." 

Their  place  of  meeting  was  on  the  South  Fork  Coles' 


1522  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

Creek,  which  runs  northward  through  the  wester« 
part  of  Jefferson  county.  The  old  church  house  was 
near  what  is  now  known  as  Stanipley  Station  on  the 
Natchez  and  Jackson  Railway,  which  is  eighteen  miles 
north  of  east  of  Natchez.  There  is  no  church  there  now, 
and  the  old  church  house  is  a  thing  of  the  past.  The 
old  mother  church  is  dead,  and  there  is  nothing  now 
remaining  to  mark  the  spot  made  sacred  as  the  meet- 
ing-place of  the  ancient  worshi])ers. 

There  were  seven  men  and  women  who  went  into 
the  organization  of  the  church,  October  1791.  Given 
in  the  order  in  which  the\'  occur,  they  were:  Richard 
Curtis,  William  Thomas,  William  Curtis,  John  Jones, 
Benjamin  Curtis,  Margaret  Stampley,  and  Ealiff 
Lanier.  Richard  Curtis  is  designated  on  their  written 
record  as  their  chosen  pastor,  and  William  Thomas  as 
their  recording  clerk.  A  small  number,  indeed,  but  a. 
Scri})tural  number.  In  the  great  waste  of  the  wnld 
^vest,  with  hostile  Indians  on  one  side,  and  a  frowning 
state  church  on  the  other,  seven  men  and  women  or- 
ganized for  hiijpy  h:)mcs  and  peaceful  citizenship,  a 
cheerful  now,  and  a  blissful  hereafter.  What  could  thej 
do  within  their  menacing  environments?  But  we  must 
remember  that  Christ  l)egan  the  evangelization  ot  the 
world  with  twelve  men  of  limited  education,  while  sur- 
rounded by  a  conservative,  threatening  religious  popu- 
lation, and  opposed  by  demons  incarnate. 

The  articles  on  which  this  first  Baptist  church  in 
Mississippi  was  constituted  were  few  and  siniple.  I 
\vili  give  them: 

"1.  Wo  c'lgrcc  to  submit  ourselves  to  God,  and  lo  each  other, 
reprove,  and  bear  reproof,  bear  cacli  other's  liurdeiis,  and  to  earrj 
Oil  thj  work  of  tlie  Lord  as  well  as  we  can. 

2.  We  a^ree,  as  touching  thinjz;s  temporal,  not  to  go  to  law  one 
against  another,  as  the  Scriptures  forbid  that  Brother  should  go  to 
law  against  Brother. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1523 

''  8.  W'v  Ijelievo  the  Lord's  Day  to  l)e  set  apart  for  the  worship  of 
God,  and,  whereas  it  has  been  much  observed,  now  to  pay  particu- 
lar attention  to  that  flay  ;  and  make  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and 
New  Testament  our  rule  and  jiraetice  in  life." 

This  a  good  and  simple  creed,  and  one  by  which 
the  church  abided  throughout  its  existence.  Its  mem- 
bers rej^roved,  and  bore  reproof.  Their  discipline  was 
strict,  sometimes  seemingly  severe,  and  ever  firm.  Sus- 
pensions were  not  infrequent,  and  expulsion  was  ad- 
ministered with  a  steady  hand.  They  settled  their  dis- 
putes as  to  temporal  matters  among  themselves,  and 
not  at  a  legal  tribunal,  sometimes  endangering  the  best 
interestsof  the  church  by  such  a  mode  of  proceeding 
The\'  were  strict  in  the  observance  of  the  SablDath, 
holding  social  worship  in  their  homes  on  that  day, 
Avhen  deprived  of  the  privileges  of  public  worship.  Thej 
were  a  peo])le  of  one  book,  the  Holy  Bible,  which  was 
\vith  them  the  first  and  last  appeal. 

"The  first  church  was  called  Salem,  ;'.  e.  pence,  and 
stood  among  the  upper  branches  of  Sotith  Fork  of 
Coles  Creek  in  Jefferson  county,  on  what  is  still  known 
as  'The  Salem  road.'  "  (Jones"  Protestnntism)  This 
statement  is  trtie  in  a  sense.  This  first  church  was  call- 
ed Salem,  Imt  was  not  called  Salem  at  first.  It  is  the 
general  oi)inion  that  it  was,  Ijut  the  opinion  is  not  cor- 
rect by  much.  It  is  called  in  the  early  church  records, 
"The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  at  Coles  Creek,'"  "The 
Baptist  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  on  Coles  Creek,""  and 
"The  Baptist  Church  on  Coles  Creek."  It  is  spoken  of 
as  asseml)ling  in  private  homes,  and.  "according  to  ap- 
pointment,""  until  ISO.I,  when  it  is  said  to  meet  "at 
"Coles  Creek  Meeting  House.'"  The  caption  of  the  old 
minutes  is,  ''The  Records  of  Coles  Creek  Church."' 

From  the  minutes  of  the   old   Ebenezer  Church,  Jan. 
31,  1807,  we  get  the  statement,  "The  following  breth- 


1524-  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     HAPTISTS. 

ren,  viz:  John  Courtney,  Rev.  Ezrit  Coiirtne\',  and 
Mark  Cole,  were  appointed  to  atten^  a  eonferenee  at 
Coles  Creek  Chiireh,  to  be  held  on  Feb.  27,  for  the  ])iir- 
pose  of  forming  an  assoeiation."  This  last  quotation 
shows  that  it  was  called  Coles  Creek  Church  through 
January,  1807.  The  church  was  not,  therefore,  called 
Salem  until  Ijctween  Jan.  31,  1807,  and  Sept.  20,  1807; 
the  last  date  being  the  time  of  the  hrst  meeting  of  the 
Mississippi  Baptist  Association  after  its  organization 
at  Coles'Creek  Church.  In  the  minutes  of  that  meet- 
ing of  the  association  it  is  called  Salem  Church  for  the 
first  time. 

An  important  event  in  the  existence  of  the  old 
church  was  the  return  of  Richard  Curtis  from  South 
Carolina  after  his  persecution  b\^  the  Spanish  authori- 
ties. The  usually  accepted  date  of  his  return  is  strange- 
ly at  variance  with  the  written  records  of  the  Coles 
Creek  Church.  This  variance  is,  most  probably,  due  to 
the  fact  that  the  basis  for  the  statement  made  by  his- 
torians is  the  memory  of  old  people,  who  lived  near  in 
time  to  the  occurrence  of  the  noted  event,  and  not  up- 
on any  written  record  of  facts  made  at  the  time. 
Jones  says  of  Curtis,  "On  the  6th  of  April,  1795,  he 
vStood  a  jjrisoner  before  Governor  Gayoso.''  He  states 
that  Curtis  left  his  home  Aug.  23,  1795.  These  facts 
are  not  contested.  The  old  records  of  Coles  Creek 
Church,  (page  2)  say  he  left  Coles  Creek  in  1795.  But 
this  historian  asserts  that  Curtis  was  away  from 
Natchez  District  two  and  a  half  years. 

The  above  assertion  has  splendid  backing.  Good- 
speed's  Memoirs  of  Mississippi  (p.  371;  Vol.  II.)  con- 
tains this  statement :  "  At  the  end  of  two  years  and  a 
half  Curtis  returned."'  Added  to  this.  Bond  tells  us 
Curtis  "remained  in  South  Carolina '"  until  the  treatv 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1525 

ceding-  Alississippi  to  the  United  States  was  effected."' 
This  seems  sufficient  to  establish  the  date  of  the  return 
ot  Curtis,  and  I  leel  incHned  to  accept  their  statements, 
but  am  held  to  an  opposing  record  of  the  fact. 

On  page  4- of  the  old  Minutes  of  Cole"s  Creek  Church, 
near  the  bottom  of  the  ])age,  we  find  this  statement : 
"However, although  there  \vas  not  a  perfect  reconcilia- 
tion, nothing  extraordinary  l)r()ke  torth,  until  the  re- 
turn of  Brother  Curtis,  which  was  Xovember,  1796." 
This  written  statement,  we  must  accept,  as  it  is  seventy 
(70)  years  older  than  an^-  o^^e  of  the^ourwrittt^n  state- 
ments to  the  contrary. 

Why  should  Curtis  not  have  returned  in  November, 
1796?  Let  us  address  ourselves  to  this  Cjuestion. 
Through  the  influence  of  Air.  Pinkney  of  South  Caro- 
lina, the  treaty  of  Madrid  was  signed  on  the  27th  of 
October,  1795,  placing  the  southern  boundary-  of  the 
United  States  at  the  line  of  the  31st  degree  of  north 
latitude.  This  line  is  south  of  the  county  of  Wilkinson, 
and  was  to  be  run  within  six  months  alter  the  treaty 
Avas  signed.  It  is  admitted  that  news  trjivelcd  slowly 
in  those  da3'S.  The  battle  of  New  Orleans  was  fought 
by  Jackson  after  the  terms  of  peace  had  been  agreed 
upon  b\'  England  and  the  United  States.  But  as  I'ink- 
ncA'  was  an  honored  citizen  of  South  Carolina,  and 
Curtis  then  in  South  Carolina,  it  is  very  reasonaljle  to 
suppose  that  Curtis  heard  of  the  treaty  by  or  betore 
the  spring  of  1796,  which  gave  him  full  time  to  make 
all  arrangements  for  his  retui'n  in  Xovemlier  of  that 
year. 

The  news  of  the  treaty  of  Aladrid  reached  the  au- 
thorities of  the  United  States  in  1795,  as  in  that  year, 
to  confirm  the  treaty,  Andrew  Ellicott  was  ordered  to 
_go  to  Natchez  to  ascertain  the  line  of  31  degrees  north 


1526  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

latitude,  and  reached  the  city  February  24,  1797. 
(»overnor  Gayoso  knew  all  these  things.  He  knew  Elli- 
cott  was  coming,  and  for  what  purpose,  and  was  on 
his  good  behavior. 

Richard  Curtis  reached  the  "Natchez  country''  only 
three  months  before  Ellicott,  which  was  seven  (7) 
months  after  the  limit  of  time  had  expired  for  running 
the  boundary  line.  On  the  21st  of  March,  1797,  Gov- 
ernor Gayoso  politel3^  wrote  to  Ellicott,  "There  is  not 
a  single  patrol  out  in  pursuit  of  anybod3',  nor  do  I  find 
occasion  for  it." 

It  is  certain  that  some  of  the  survivors  of  the 
eighteenth  (18)  century  in  their  minds  confused  the 
pompous  landing  of  Ellicott  with  the  final  occupation 
of  the  Natchez  countr}'  by  the  United  States  in  1798. 
In  Bond's  introduction  we  find  this  language :  "The 
American  commissioners  arrived  *  *  *  and  raised  the 
stars  and  stripes  on  the  heights  of  Natchez.  They  then 
immediately  rai.sed  a  large  brush  arbor,  and  put  tem- 
porarj'  seats  under  it,  and  sent  lor  Elder  Bailey  Chancy 
to  come  and  preach  under  the  American  colors.  *  *  * 
This  last  statement  I  have  from  the  mouth  of  one  of  the 
hearers  on  the  occasion  (Elizabeth  Chancy)."  Clai- 
borne says:  "On  the  29th  (February,  1797),  he  (Elli- 
cott) pitched  his  tent  on  the  bluff  *  *  *  and  hoisted  the 
national  colors.  '  Riley,  in  his  School  History  of  Mis- 
sissippi, teWs  us  that  "Ellicott  soon  became  impatient 
of  the  delay  *  *  *  and  began  to  arouse  the  people.  He 
defiantly  unfurled  the  Hag  of  the  United  States,  .secretly 
found  out  how  the  inhabitants  felt  about  the  treaty, 
and  encouraged  them  to  assert  their  attachment  to 
his  government.^' 

Ellicott,  was  no  doubt,  defiant  in  his  attitude 
toward  Governor  Gayoso.     Claiborne  informs  us  that. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1527 

"the  inordinate  vanity  of  Ellicbtt  got  control  of  his 
judgment,  and  he  assumed,  from  the  outset,  the  air  of 
a  plenipotentiary."  So  we  may  well  conclude  that  the 
statement  made  by  Bond,  as  to  what  took  place  "under 
the  Stars  and  Stripes''  is  confused,  and  that  the  event 
was  at  an  earlier  date  than  was  attributed  to  it ;  and 
also  that  we  must  discount  oral  tradition  when  con- 
fronted b3^  records  written  at  or  near  the  occurrence  of 
an  event  of  history. 

It  is  a  matter  of  interest  that  there  were  four  Bap- 
tist churches  in  Mississippi  before  the  close  of  the  18th 
century.  Baptists  not  only  came  to  Mississippi  to  stay, 
but  they  knew  the  multiplication  table.  It  does  not 
occur  anywhere  in  the  written  history  of  .Mississippi 
Baptists,  so  far  as  I  know,  that  there  was  a  second 
Baptist  church  formed  in  the  State  as  early  as  1798. 
Jones  cautiously  informs  us  that  about  the  year  1800  a 
second  Baptist  church,  called  New  Hope,  was  organized 
on  Second  Creek  in  Adams  count\^,  and  ^^  about  the 
same  time  another  near  Woodville,  called  Bethel." 
Bond  says :  "In  1800  a  church  was  constituted  four 
miles  from  Woodville,  in  Wilkinson  county-,  b}-  a  part 
o4'the  Ogden  family  and  others.  About  the  same  time, 
one  was  constituted  on  Second  Creek,  and,  we  think, 
was  called  New  Hope."  They  give  us  some  facts,  but 
not  all  of  the  facts. 

The  old  records  of  the  Coles  Ci'eek  Church  must 
again  be  heard.  In  the  Minutes  of  the  meeting  of  the 
First  Friday  of  August,  1798,  we  have  as  the  second 
item  of  business.  "The  Bayou  Piere  brethren  presented 
a  petition  requesting  the  constitution  of  a  church  on 
the  Fork  of  Bayou  Piere.  The  church  thought  it  ex- 
pedient and  delegated  Brethren  Richard  Curtis,  William 
Thompson,    John    Stampley,    Benjamin  Curtis,  Jacob 


1528  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPI'l     BAPTISTS. 

Stamplc}',  Joseph  Perkins  and  William  Thomas  to  at- 
tend at  the  house  of  brother  Thomas  IIul)bard  on  Fri- 
da\\hefore  the  third  Sunday  in  AuL>"ust.''  This  Bayou 
Piere  chureh  did  not  _s4o  into  the  eonstitution  of  the 
Mississip])i  Baptist  Association  at  Coles  Creek,  nor  had 
messengers  at  the  association  in  Sei)t.,  1807.  Thus  it 
escaped  the  eye  of  the  historian,  Imt  it  was  received 
into  tile  association  in  1808.  It  was  re]n'esented  l)y 
letter  and  messen^icrs  in  the  association  each  consecu- 
tive year  unto  1811),  when,  on  ])etition  to  the  associa- 
tion from  ei.ght  churches  north  of  the  Ilomochitto  river, 
it  wasMismissed,  as  one  of  the  number,  to  join  in  the 
organization  of  the  Union  Association.  The  iirst  ses- 
sion of  the  I'nion  .\ssociation  was  held  with  the  Bayou 
Piere  churchjSeptemljer,  1820.  Five  years  later  it  still 
existed,  and  was  represented  in  the  Union  Association 
by  Levi  Thompson  and  William  Cox. 

In  the  iirst  years  of  the  18th  century  churches  were 
established  in  South  Mississippi  with  marvelous  rapid- 
ity. We  will  notice  the  organization  of  some  churches 
in  Amite  county.  The  New  Providence  church,  east  of 
Gloster,  was  organized  July  27,  1805,  with  twelve 
members.  The  Fbenezer  church,  southeast  of  Center- 
ville,  was  constituted  May  9,  1806,  with  eleven  (11) 
members.  The  P^ast  F'ork  church,  west  of  Magnolia, 
was  organized  on  the  third  Sunday  in  September,  1810, 
with^twelve  members.  The  Zion  Hill  church,  west  of 
Summit,  was  constituted  June  11,  1811,  with  twelve 
meml)ers.  The  Mars  Hill  church,  south  of  west  from 
Summit  came  into  existence  on  the  iirst  Sunday  in  June, 
1815,,  with  nine  members. 

In  1820,  the  old  Mississij^pi  Association  was  within 
the  counties  ot  Wilkinson,  Amite,  and  a  part  of  F'^rank- 
iin ;   the   Union   Association    within  Adams,  Claiborne, 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1529 

Copiah,  Jefferson,  and  a  part  of  Franklin;  and  the 
Pearl  River  Association  in  Lincoln,  Pike  and  Marion, 
and  Lawrence.  These,  and  other  associations,  soon 
covered  the  southeastern  part  of  the  State. 

The  beginnin.ijs  of  Baptists  in  North  Aiississi])pi 
was  distinct  from  their  beginnin^:  in  South  Mississi])])i. 
North  Mississippi  was  peopled  by  a  tidal  wave  of  im- 
migration from  the  east  after  the  thiixl  cession  made  by 
the  Choctaws  and  the  cession  made  by  the  Chickasaw 
Indians.  The  Choctaws  did  not  get  out  of  the  vState 
befoi-e  1830,  nor  the  Chickasaws  before  lS3o.  These 
tribes  occupied  most  of  our  State  north  of  a  hne  from 
Prentiss  on  the  Mississippi  river  to  Shul)uta  on  the  M. 
&  O.  Railway. 

In  this  territory,  the  Chickasaw  Association  was 
formed  in  183S,  embracing  the  territory  now  known  as 
the  counties  of  Marshall,  Lafayette,  Benton,  Union, 
Pontotoc,  Lee,  Tippah,  Alcorn,  Prentiss,  Tishomingo, 
and  Itawaml)a.  The  Zion  Association  was  founded  in 
1836,  covering  the  counties  of  Calhoun,  Chickasaw, 
Clay,  and  Webster.  The  Columljus  Association  was 
•organized  in  1838,  embracing  the  counties  of  Monroe, 
Lowndes.  (Jktibbeha,  and  Noxubee.  The  Yalobusha 
Association  came  into  existence  in  1837,  and  was  in  the 
territory  of  Tallahatchie,  Yalobusha,  Grenada,  and 
Carroll  counties.  The  Yazoo  Association  later  ex- 
tended southward,  embracing  Leflore,  Holmes,  and  Ya- 
zoo counties,  and  was  met  on  the  south  1)y  the  Union 
Association. 

The  Baptists  who  came  to  our  State  in  early  times 
were,  very  largely,  from  the  Carolinas  and  from  Geor- 
gia. Thev  came  to  Mississippi,  they  were  not  brought. 
They  were  a  thrifty  people,  who  came  west  because  of 
Avhat   they   had   learned  of  the  salu1)rious  climate,  and 


1530  HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS. 

the  fertile  soil  of  our  State.  With  sterling  worth  and 
masterful  common  sense  the^^  went  to  work  to  make 
their  fortunes  by  pure,  godl3'^  living  and  unremitting 
labor.  They  were  patriotic  and  law-abiding.  They 
have  grown  as  the  j-ears  have  come  and  gone,  as  one 
would  naturalU'  expect,  until  now,  there  are  100,000 
white  Baptists  in  our  grand  old  Commonwealth. 


HISTORY     OF     MISSISSIPPI     BAPTISTS.  1531 

Z.  T.  LEAVELL,  D.  D. 


A  woi'd  biojjfraphical.  Rev.  Z.  T.  Lcavell,  who  has  written  the 
major  part  of  these  volumes,  true  to  his  characteristie  modcst\-,  has 
studiously  kept  hiiuseli  in  the  back-ground,  while  he  has  accorded 
all  honor  to  his  co-laborers  in  Baptist  affairs.  I  have  felt  that  the 
least  that  could  be  done  for  this  brother,  who  lias  performed  so 
valuable  a  service  for  Mississipjji  Baptists,  is  to  ])rint  here  this  brief 
biographical  summary.  Anything  less  would  do  him  an  injustice  and 
defraud  the  denomination;  for  the  reason  that  he  has  been  one  of  the 
great  factors  in  Baptist  achievements  in -the  State. 

He  was  born  in  Ponotoc  county  in  1S4-7,  and  educated  at  the 
University  of  Mississippi,  graduating  at  that  institution  in  1871.  In 
October,  1870,  he  entered  the  ministry.  After  completing  his  univer- 
sity course,  he  entered  upon  a  three  yeiir's  theological  course  at  the 
Southern  Baptist  Theological  Seminary,  then  in  Greenville,  S.  C, 
but  afterwards  removed  to  Louisville,  Ky.  After  serving  as  pastor 
of  Baptist  churches  at  Dalton,  Ga.,  .Murfreesbort)ugh,  Tenn.,  and 
Columbus,  Ky.,  he  returned  to  Mississip])i  in  March,  1877.  He  \vas 
subse((uently  pastor  at  Oxford,  Natchez,  and  Clinton.  He  was  finan- 
cial agent  of  .Mississippi  College  for  two  years  and  tor  the  some 
lengtff  of  time  in  the  faculty  of  that  institution.  From  1890  "to 
1893,  he  was  president  of  Carrollton  Female  College.  In  1895,  the 
degree  oi  U.  D.,  was  conferred  upon  him  l^y  .Mississipjji  College. 
During  a  period  of  twelve  years.  Dr.  Leavell  was  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  Mississipjji  College.  He  has  been  connected 
•with  the  Baptist  Mission  Boards  of  Mississippi  for  twenty-seven  years. 
He  was  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  (lulport  Chautaiujua  Asso- 
ciation. He  has  for  several  years  resided  in  Jackson,  and  preached 
to  churches  in  adjacent  tov^'us,  devoting  all  his  spare  moments  to 
writing  these  volumes.  His  family  consists  of  himself,  -wife  and  two 
daughters. 

He  is  author  lA' Iluptist  Atuuils and  Existing;'  Biiptist  (>rj)hH tinges 
of  the  South. 

A  more  detailed  sketch  of  his  lite  may  l)e  lound  in  Goodspeed's 
Biographical  and  Historical  Memoirs  of  Mississippi,  vol.  I.,  pp., 
lOlO-'l.  T.J.  BAILEY. 


ijyeip^wjjn  ■ 


BX6248.M7L4v2 

A  complete  history  of  Mississippi 

lll(illlln:.H.'M?!.°?;^::'.S,^?^---V--SpeerL,brary 


1    1012  00020  661 


•/a^' 


MUM 


